I recently purchased a Bachmann 0-6-0 Saddle Tank Steam switcher and I'm currently setting up my first layout (in HO). I want to install a decoder chip in this small loco which is DCC ready. It is not Plug-n-Play... I will have to solder the wires onto the circuit board. There's no room to install sound in this loco. I plan on installing a Lokpilot chip. I have a diagram that shows me which colored wire connects to which pin, but I'm confused about a couple things.
The circuit board inside this loco (that I will be soldering onto) has 7 pins numbered 1 thru 8 (there is no number 3 pin). The Lokpilot Micro decoder has 6 wires. If I install this chip, do I connect the 6 wires as per my diagram, leaving one pin on the circuit board un-wired? ESU also makes a Lokpilot decoder which has 8 wires. If I were to install this one, what do I do with the extra wire on the decoder (because there isn't a no. 3 pin on the circuit board). Do I just clip it off?
My last question has to do with jumpers that I see on the circuit board. There is a jumper between pins 1 and 8 and another jumper between pins 4 and 6. On another forum, I read about someone installing an M1 decoder in this same loco and he said that these two jumpers should be removed before installing the decoder. Would I need to do the same or is my case different because I'm installing a Lokpilot chip and he was installing an M1.
Thanks for all your help.
I'll take a stab at this:
verycooljimboThe circuit board inside this loco (that I will be soldering onto) has 7 pins numbered 1 thru 8 (there is no number 3 pin).
Pin 3 is for the green wire or F1. If the board in the loco doesn't have it then the loco will only have the head/rear light functions out the box.
verycooljimboIf I install this chip, do I connect the 6 wires as per my diagram, leaving one pin on the circuit board un-wired?
Yes. Is your decoder a one function, because then you'll have two pins on the circuit board un-wired. You say six wires, so I'm guessing red, black, orange, grey, blue and white. Most two function decoders have 7 wires, the ones listed plus a yellow wire for the rear light.
verycooljimboESU also makes a Lokpilot decoder which has 8 wires. If I were to install this one, what do I do with the extra wire on the decoder (because there isn't a no. 3 pin on the circuit board). Do I just clip it off?
You can clip it or roll it up and tuck it out of the way. I would clip is somewhat short in case I decide to pull the decoder out and use it in another engine that would utilize the green wire. I would just solder another piece of green wire to extend the clipped one.
verycooljimboMy last question has to do with jumpers that I see on the circuit board. There is a jumper between pins 1 and 8 and another jumper between pins 4 and 6. On another forum, I read about someone installing an M1 decoder in this same loco and he said that these two jumpers should be removed before installing the decoder. Would I need to do the same or is my case different because I'm installing a Lokpilot chip and he was installing an M1.
I do believe these are jumpers that allow the engine to run on DC (could be wrong). You may need to remove them to install the DCC decoder just like the other fellow.
If I'm wrong about something, I'm sure another more knowledgeable user will correct me and guide you properly.
TONY
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