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How to wire Ditch Lights and Number Boards MTH SD70 to Tsuanmi

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  • Member since
    January 2011
  • 13 posts
How to wire Ditch Lights and Number Boards MTH SD70 to Tsuanmi
Posted by Mike (London) on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 5:36 PM

I am new to this! I am getting there! Have been able to wire my Tsunami TSU-AT1000 to my MTH SD70Ace. Have programed in to my DCC and have motion and sound. However how do you deal with the ditch lights etc. The MTH manual says "easy" (page 12 ) take the wires and use the three tabs at the end of the MTH board and wire it into F5 and F6 on the TSU.....however (and yes I am being dumb) where do the other wires go? I ignore the NMRA 8 pin for this section, however there is the common return to be used? Help please

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 9:16 PM

The other wires still solder onto the 8 pin connector.  If you use the ditch light inputs and number boards you remove the default center jumper pads to isolate them from the headlight voltage.  The NMRA plug still handles the track pickup, motor, headlight and tail light. The common is more than likely included as well. 

If you want the number board to work with the headlight don't remove the pad jumper for the number board.  Looks like a pretty good setup to me.

Here's the link to the manual.  In the future it helps if you include a link so people can reference it.

http://www.mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/download/instruction/80dl14000i.pdf

Springfield PA

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • 13 posts
Posted by Mike (London) on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 2:57 PM

Thank you for taking the time to reply-getting there

In very simple terms where does one start?  Starting with the three tabs on the MTH motherboard I assume DLr and Dll go to F5 and F6 on the tsunami, however what happens next? (see 2 below)

1.  Where does the DCC lighting control for number boards go to fromthe MTH board?

2  What wires go to the NMRA eight pin (thanks for info) do I take a lead from the tsunami tabs ie numbers 8 or 9 and 2 and 3? and then connect them to the to the 8 pin as advised?

thanks again

Mike

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Thursday, January 6, 2011 4:06 PM

Mike (London)

Thank you for taking the time to reply-getting there

In very simple terms where does one start?  Starting with the three tabs on the MTH motherboard I assume DLr and Dll go to F5 and F6 on the tsunami, however what happens next? (see 2 below)

1.  Where does the DCC lighting control for number boards go to fromthe MTH board?

2  What wires go to the NMRA eight pin (thanks for info) do I take a lead from the tsunami tabs ie numbers 8 or 9 and 2 and 3? and then connect them to the to the 8 pin as advised?

When using a tsunami you will run out of functon outputs if using ditch lights.  Simply leave the jumper installed for the number board and it will work with the headlight.

For wiring the 8 pin connector download this manual from soundtraxx and go to page 27. It shows each pin and the associated colored wire.  Soundtraxx also sells the connectors separately but you might be able to get them at an LHS.

http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/tsuinstallation.pdf 

 

Springfield PA

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • 13 posts
Posted by Mike (London) on Thursday, January 6, 2011 4:19 PM

Thank you again for the advice, just two more questions.

1  When I connected up the system for the first time to DCC all the lights came on. In all the book of words it appears that they should be off. I can see on the Tsunami a small red light which comes on and off on F0 and dims on F7 (which is correct) But why are the lights on? I have not rewired them and cannot switch them off.

2 Finally on trying the motor tonight the engine ran perfectly for about 2 minutes then died. After leaving it for 30 seconds it started up again and then stopped. It must be overheating. I used UK telephone cable to join the boards. I suspect that they are too thick and should have used a thinner wire, ie the same type as found on the locomotive.-any advice?

again thanks for the info

Mike

 

 

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