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Decoder in tender

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  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 208 posts
Posted by WPAllen on Thursday, March 3, 2011 8:11 PM

 I typically use the Tsunami Sound decoders in my brass steam engines. When I do put the decoder in the tender and the speaker there is my 5 conductor wire set up. I wire it this way incase I accidently put the plug in backwards. This way the only problem will be the locomotive runs backward. Left rail pickup is from the tender.

1. Headlight

2. Motor +

3.Right rail pickup

4. Motor -

5. Headlight. 

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • 311 posts
Posted by PRR_in_AZ on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 6:15 PM

I found some that should work well.  Thanks all.

Chris

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • 174 posts
Posted by Hergy on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 5:52 PM

Soundtraxx has suitable connectors for loco to tender wiring plus lots of other good stuff.

http://www.soundtraxx.com/access/wiring.php

They show one connector specifically for loco to tender.$14.95

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 693 posts
Posted by woodone on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 8:35 AM

Train Control Systems makes some 6 wire harness. They come with the plug and wires and the socket with the wires.  See here :: http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Products/Supplies/Connectors/QuickPlugConnectors.htm 

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • 311 posts
Posted by PRR_in_AZ on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 3:48 PM

PFM/United, Brass, HO, sagami can motor.

Chris

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 2:30 PM

Post a photo of your loco and tender. At least tell us scale and manufacturer.

I and many others have done tender installs.

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.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: South Carolina
  • 1,719 posts
Posted by Train Modeler on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 12:34 PM

If you look at the recent OEM installs, they're running all the wires except for speaker and tender.  In addition to what you listed you also need rail pick up, hopefully L&R.   But, with brass not usually the case. 

I have found breaking up the wiring harness with a couple of 2 to 4 wire connections to work fine.   The real trick is to get the smallest connector and put those either right up against the tender or the loco--so that you get the full flexibility of the wire with least droop.    DCC Installs and Sales has some very small connectors in a strip you can purchase.   You will have to solder the connectors onto your wire. 

Richard

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • 311 posts
Decoder in tender
Posted by PRR_in_AZ on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 11:29 AM

All,

I keep trying to fit my HO decoder in the boiler of my HO steamer but it's more of a tight fit than I want.  I guess I'm going to move all my decoder installations to the tender but I haven't found the type of wire or harness that seems to have the flexibility I need for that installation.  I would like to have as few wires as possible with this type of installation.  My question is three-fold.  What type of wire/harness do you use?  Least amount of wires between the two?  I know I need orange and gray for the motor.  I have a headlight and tender light.  Is there a way to wire the lamp common (blue) so I don't have to run it between the engine and tender via decoder?

Chris

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