I have a new Athearn GP35 that is decoder ready. Because I wanted sound and motor drive in one decoder, the train shop DCC expert sold me on a Soundtraxx DSD-AT100LC (Atlas 2nd gener) decoder with sound, lights, etc. I removed the "non-operating" DCC adaptor board and the jumper board that came with the engine, but now I can't remember what the expert told me about how to install the new Soundtraxx decoder. Do I use the jumper board that came with this engine? I've only installed two decoders before, but they came with the 9 colored wires and I could follow standard instructions from books and manuals I have. This new Soundtraxx decoder did not come with instructions nor wires. Any advice from you guys is appreciated.
Thanks
JRP
That decoder is an Atlas board repalcement - the board in the Athearn locos is similar to an Atlas, but it means you REMOVE the Athearn board and connect the wires to the appropriate connections on the Soundtraxx board.
The manual can be found here: http://www.soundtraxx.com/documents/manuals/lc_manual.pdf
The power leads fromteh trucks connect to the outper posts on each end of the decoder. Keep them matched side to side - connect both left rail wires to the left side of the decoder, adn both right rail wires to the right side of the decoder. The wires to the motor connect to the two terminasl ont he side of the decoder. Lights conenct to the inner pair of terminals at the front and read - if they aren't 14 volt bulbs you'll need resistors or else new bulbs. Not sure where the speaker connects on that one but there should have been a capacitor in the package which needs to be connected in series with the speaker. You did get a speaker, right?
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy,
Thanks. Yes, I did get a 1 watt 8 ohm oval speaker with capacitor that should fit fine just under the radiator fan housing at the middle of the locomotive.
davidmbedard No Baffel? David B
No Baffel?
David B
Won't need it if it gets sealed to the top of the shell. If it just kind of sits there, then yes, an enclosure is needed or there won't be enough volume for a mouse to hear it. Reverse of the steam loco installation where you seal the speaker to the floor of the tender and the shell acts as the baffle.