I was recently given a fairly new HO Walthers Trainline GP9M. (I say fairly new because the gentlemen that gave it to me says it was only test run twice). Being somewhat new to the world of DCC, I'm wondering how to go about wiring a decoder in this loco? I've wired up several of my Athearns (GP35's, SD40-2's) using Alan Gartner's tips as a guide with no problems. But I'm uncertain how to go about doing the same for this type of model. Any suggestions on how, which type of decoder, etc? Thanks in advance! [ 05 June 2002, 15:38: Message edited by: Jerry Marx ]
Jerry, Decoder installations are fairly simple. If Your engine has a NMRA socket You just plug in the decoder and You're done. For some engines You may get a circuitboard with a decoder mounted to it, in which case You replace that board. But You can also wire any decoder by following the wiring diagram that should be supplied with the decoder. But make sure before You install the decoder that there are no direct connections between the motor terminals and the wheel pick-up's. Otherwise that decoder is toast the second You turn the power on. The colors of the decoder wires should always be the same. Mount the black and red wire to one pick-up each. The grey and orange go to the motor. Polarity on those wires doesn't matter. If the polarity is wrong Your engine travels in the wrong direction. That can be changed later through Your CV settings. The blue wire is common supply to Your headlights (front & back). White goes to the other pin on the front headlight and yellow to the rear. Again If You hook them up to the wrong light, don't worry, this can again be changed by means of CV settings. Hope that helps, Art
I would suggest an Atlas decoder for these engines. It is a replacment for the light board. Just follow the directions that come with the decoder. This is a very easy install. The factory lights can be reused. I soldered the lights and wheel pick-ups and used the black caps that came with the decoder for the motor wires (easy to switch if they are reversed).
