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ESU 53900 Decoder Tester

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  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 2:07 PM

One of the articles about how to connect and program the SFX-006 SoundBug:

https://www.digitrax.com/static/apps/products/sound-decoders/sfx006/documents/SFX006.pdf

  • Member since
    February 2019
  • 255 posts
Posted by Hawks Rule on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 1:38 PM

Thanks to everyone for your input.

I will try your suggestions.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 8:16 AM

 You have to make an adapter following the instructions Digitrax provides for using the Soundbug with a non-Digitrax decoder. The connector on the Soundbug is NOT a standard DCC connector, it is designed to interface with the connections on certain Digitrax decoders. The two screw terminals alongside it are the track inputs. If you manage to get the Soundbug simply plugged in to the decoder tester or in a loco without another decoder, you will likely fry it.

                                        --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 10:42 PM

.

Removed as irrelevant.

  • Member since
    February 2019
  • 255 posts
Posted by Hawks Rule on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 7:25 PM

 

 

 

 

 

If you solder, you could make a harness with a smaller socket wired to a wider plug, with the appropriate lines connected with fine wire and appropriately insulated and strain-relieved.  You'd then have that as a tool going forward.

 I'm not sure I quite follow what you are saying.

Is there an adapter that I can plug in the narrower 8 pin plug into?

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 7:16 PM

Hawks Rule

I just purchased the tester and I have tested a couple of MRC 8 pin decoders and so far so good.

I also want to test an 8 pin Digitrax 004 Soundbug, but it does not fit in the 8 pin slot, whereas the MRC one does.

The Digitrax decoder is a narrower 8 pin unit, compared to the MRC decoder.

Is there some way of modifying it or adding an adapter, so I can test it?

 

 

If you solder, you could make a harness with a smaller socket wired to a wider plug, with the appropriate lines connected with fine wire and appropriately insulated and strain-relieved.  You'd then have that as a tool going forward.

[EDIT - I did not read carefully enough.  See below; the SoundBug is intentionally designed so you won't plug it into a decoder socket by mistake!]

  • Member since
    February 2019
  • 255 posts
ESU 53900 Decoder Tester
Posted by Hawks Rule on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 6:16 PM

I just purchased the tester and I have tested a couple of MRC 8 pin decoders and so far so good.

I also want to test an 8 pin Digitrax 004 Soundbug, but it does not fit in the 8 pin slot, whereas the MRC one does.

The Digitrax decoder is a narrower 8 pin unit, compared to the MRC decoder.

Is there some way of modifying it or adding an adapter, so I can test it?

 

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