Hello,
Can someone please help me add a Digitrax Decoder (the DH165IP) to this Bachmann loco? I contacted Digitrax since they list that decoder is compatible on this loco. Here's what Digitrax's help desk said:
"The DH165IP requires a DCC 8 pin female plug on the loco. If that loco has the DCC 8 pin plug (two rows of 4) you simply plug it in that DCC plug. I have no experience or knowledge of the Bachmann S-4 so do not know if it has the DCC plug although our decoder selector indicates it does have that plug. The very early Bachmann locos did not have the DCC plug and they must be hardwired (soldered) in using those decoders with the wire harness such as the DZ126, DN136D or the larger DH126D."
I have the DH126D decoder, but I see nowhere to add it. I removed the S-4 shell and took a picture here: https://imgur.com/3AMtUXp. The chip does not have plug n' play capabilitiy for the DH165IP. Where to solder it? How to add the decoder to the DH165IP? What's the wire color arrangement?
Thanks,
Lee
Haven't we taught you how to post pics by now?
That black rectangular thing in the center with a 1 and a 4 to the left of it, I'll bet that is an 8 pin plug.
Can't help with Digitrax decoders and I'm having reading problems tonight. The board is marked as to where the LED's, motor and trucks connect. Ditch the board. Somethings can't be learned or at least remembered and for me that is the color of decoder wires. Wiring for DCC is there for us.
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/decoder_plug.jpg
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
The S4 has (according to the diagram on the Bachmann website) a dummy plug towards the middle of the decoder. The dummy plug allows the engine to work on DC power. You pull out the dummy plug and plug in your decoder. That Digitrax decoder comes with the eight pins already connected to it, so you don't need any extra harness - and you really don't want to try soldering connections to it.
p.s. almost all engines made in the last 10-15 years have an eight or nine-pin receptacle to install a decoder, some are easier than others find. Some Stewart engines had the receptacle on the bottom of the lightboard, so the decoder hung over one of the trucks.
Since you already solved the issue, here is a clearer photo of the PC board from the Bachmann site. The larger image does not work here. Only at the Bachmann site.
https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68_573&products_id=9733&zenid=42927t5vp0udgpmq6cs4vabpc3
Loco diagram. You can see the socket in the center of the PC board. Take a look at the Bachmann site.
https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/HO_ALCO_S4_(DCC_READY).pdf
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
wjstix The S4 has (according to the diagram on the Bachmann website) a dummy plug towards the middle of the decoder. The dummy plug allows the engine to work on DC power. You pull out the dummy plug and plug in your decoder. That Digitrax decoder comes with the eight pins already connected to it, so you don't need any extra harness - and you really don't want to try soldering connections to it. p.s. almost all engines made in the last 10-15 years have an eight or nine-pin receptacle to install a decoder, some are easier than others find. Some Stewart engines had the receptacle on the bottom of the lightboard, so the decoder hung over one of the trucks.
Yes. Make sue to line the pins up correctly. I believe on the decoder you're using, pin 1 has a square tab.
For new users the DCC ready PC board can be confusing. Some do not recognize the DC adapter that has to be pulled. Pulling a shell on a DCC loco for new people with no DCC knowledge is a daunting issue. A lot different than DC.
Bachmann has had three different type adapters in the past that I am aware of.
Usually the Bachmann site shows this but many have no idea the Bachmann site exist or care untill they need the data. Forums and Company reps there also, plus return and repair services, parts.
Rich: You're 100% correct about the Bachmann site, including the forums. No one asked about this issue, which is why I posted here. Their customer service reps are not available given the current conditions.
ba&prr Yes. Make sue to line the pins up correctly. I believe on the decoder you're using, pin 1 has a square tab.
Outstanding. Thanks for the speedy and helpful response. I should be all set now.