Hello,
1st I want to thank "Bobgrosh" for pushing me over the edge and going with DCC on our layout. We got an 8 amp "Super Chief" by Digitrax to go with our only dcc equipped locomotive and WOW what a difference from our old DC system. Now I want to convert the rest of our motive power to DCC.
The 1st loco I want to tackle is a Bachmann Spectrum model#81494 which was billed as "DCC Ready". I have read Allan Gartner's dcc install instructions for other locos but can't find a link specifically for this one. It already has Sierra sound installed in the tender by St. Aubin. There is more room for a decoder in the tender than there appears to be in the boiler of this model. I have included some photos below of the loco, tender and wiring in the tender (have not opened the loco yet). I would like to keep the sync. chuff if possible. The wires for this come off of a cam on the rear set of drivers on the loco and come out the back to a 2 prong plug. They eventually end up in the tender as 2 purple wires attached to the chuff pins on the Sierra board. There is also a 4 prong plug with two wires supplying extra power to the loco from the wheel trucks on the tender and the other 2 dead end at the tender and I believe they are for rear tender lights that are not installed on this model.
Southern digital supplied me with a Digitrax decoder #DG583R as show in the photo. I would like to be able to control as many functions as possible. I am not at all bashful about fishing some new wires to the loco and even replacing the existing plug system between the loco and the tender. I have already had a wire melting incident involving a dog and a turnout but that is another story.
I have installed sound boards, rewired etc. but this will be my 1st dcc install. Has any one had any experience with this particular loco? Is there a page out there somewhere I can refer to for the connections? Is there a simple plug that makes this all go away?
Hope my pictures come through..if not will triy again!
1st I want to thank "Bobgrosh" for pushing me over the edge and going with DCC on our layout. We got an 8 amp "Super Chief" by Digitrax to go with our only dcc equipped locomotive and WOW what a difference from our old DC system. Now I want to convert the rest of our motive power to DCC.
The 1st loco I want to tackle is a Bachmann Spectrum model#81494 which was billed as "DCC Ready". I have read Allan Gartner's dcc install instructions for other locos but can't find a link specifically for this one. It already has Sierra sound installed in the tender by St. Aubin. There is more room for a decoder in the tender than there appears to be in the boiler of this model. I have included some photos below of the loco, tender and wiring in the tender (have not opened the loco yet). I would like to keep the sync. chuff if possible. The wires for this come off of a cam on the rear set of drivers on the loco and come out the back to a 2 prong plug. They eventually end up in the tender as 2 purple wires attached to the chuff pins on the Sierra board. There is also a 4 prong plug with two wires supplying extra power to the loco from the wheel trucks on the tender and the other 2 dead end at the tender and I believe they are for rear tender lights that are not installed on this model.
Southern digital supplied me with a Digitrax decoder #DG583R as show in the photo. I would like to be able to control as many functions as possible. I am not at all bashful about fishing some new wires to the loco and even replacing the existing plug system between the loco and the tender. I have already had a wire melting incident involving a dog and a turnout but that is another story.
I have installed sound boards, rewired etc. but this will be my 1st dcc install. Has any one had any experience with this particular loco? Is there a page out there somewhere I can refer to for the connections? Is there a simple plug that makes this all go away?