Decoder Installs

 

Here are a few of the decoder installs I've done. Note: Larger images have not been uploaded yet, so at this time there is no "click to see a larger version" function on this page. Stay tuned, I'm working on it!

 

Stewart VO1000:

This is a fairly easy install, but Stewart uses yellow LEDs for the headlights and I don't like them, so I repalced them with Miniatronics Yelo-Glo soft white LEDs. They came out way too bright so I ended up swapping resistors as well. The LEDs make contact with tabs on the circuit board, so I merely bent the leads of the new LEDs to match the old ones, as seen in picture #2. Picture 3 shows the board with 1K resistors replacing the original 470 ohm ones. I also touched a bit of solder to each clip from the truck pickups and motor leads, as they are rather loose. Picture 4 shows the decoder and wires secured with kapton tape.

VO1000 Decoder install VO1000 Decoder install VO1000 Decoder install VO1000 Decoder install

 

 

Proto2000 GP-7:

This is probably the easiest install you can possibly do.

A Digitrax DH163L0 is a direct drop-in decoder that doesn't even require changing the low voltage stock light bulbs. It takes more time to get the shell off than it does to install the decoder.
Proto 2000 GP-7 Decoder install Proto 2000 GP-7 Decoder install Proto 2000 GP-7 Decoder install
Proto 2000 GP-7 Decoder install Proto 2000 GP-7 Decoder install  

 

Stewart DS4-4-1000:

For this install I hard wired a TCS T1 decoder. By hard wiring the decoder in place, I didn't have to spend the extra $5 or so for a harness, and it works just fine. The T1 decoders come with a 9-pin JST harness so it is still possible to remove the decoder.

 

Proto2000 S-1

This loco comes with a DCC socket, but there is a wiring fault. One motor terminal is grounded to the frame. The wheels can possibly contact the frame if the loco derails for any reason, and if it should, it would blow the decoder. The solution is to run a new dedicated wire from the offending motor brush to the DCC socket. Link to external photo album on Webshots of this process: Click Here

 

Proto2000 SD-7

This loco also comes with a 8-pin DCC socket. You COULD just plug in a decoder, and not even worry about the light bulbs - the stock circuit board drives the lamps through an appropriate dropping resistor. However, due to the circuit design, the lamps are dim. I decided to eliminate the problem completely and switch to Golden White LEDs. At the same time, I completely remove the stock circuit board and hardwired the decoder, a TCS T1. Link to external photo album on Webshots of this install: Click Here