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If you need to use higher current lamps (50-150mA) we recommend a 22 ohm 1/4
Watt resistor in series with each bulb (this will also greatly extend bulb life). The
function outputs are rated at 150mA continuous if used with LEDs or other low in-
rush devices.
Always make sure the motor is isolated from the frame. Always make sure
metal couplers are isolated from the frame.
PRECAUTIONARY NOTES FOR DECODERS
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MAKE SURE NO METAL PART OF THE LOCOMOTIVE TOUCHES ANY METAL
PART OF THE DECODER. APPLY ELECTRICAL TAPE TO THE INTERIOR OF
THE LOCO AT ANY QUESTIONABLE POINTS.
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THERE MUST BE NO ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE MOTOR
AND THE RAILS. BOTH MOTOR TERMINALS MUST BE ELECTRICALLY
ISOLATED FROM THE MOTOR FRAME AND BODY.
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IF YOU USE METAL COUPLERS MAKE SURE THE COUPLERS ARE
INSULATED FROM THE FRAME. THIS CAN CAUSE MYSTERIOUS PROBLEMS
WHEN RUNNING TWO OR MORE LOCOMOTIVES COUPLED TOGETHER.
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DO NOT USE CONVENTIONAL (older) DECODERS WITH CORELESS
MOTORS.
NCE decoders that are designated SR (Silent Running) are high frequency motor
drive decoders. These will not harm coreless motors.
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Test the locomotive to assure good analog (DC) operation. Poor running
locomotives will not run well with DCC either. Test the loco under a “stalled”
condition. First connect ammeter between the DC power supply and the track.
Remove the loco’s shell. Increase power to the loco until it reaches at least 12
Volts. Now stall the motor by squeezing the flywheel until it stops. With locomotives
without flywheels, push down on the mechanism until the wheels stop turning. Note
the reading on the meter. The decoder rating needs to exceed the highest
amperage reading otherwise the decoder will cause the loco to have intermittent
stops when operating at the decoders’ rated amperage.
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We suggest installing the wiring harnesses with plugs for all leads being used in
order to facilitate decoder removal in the future.
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Lights and motor stall current should not exceed the values listed for each
decoder. Nor should their total exceed the amount of current remaining after
testing the loco motor “stalled”. The Function common (blue wire), is track voltage.
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Make a wiring diagram of your locomotive’s motor power and lighting. Copy it and
show how you are going to insulate the motor from the frame, if it is not already
insulated, and where you are going to cut the wires from the track pickups to the
motor and lights. LGB locomotives can be tricky here.
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The power for the Functions normally is connected to the Blue wire. This will
supply the lights with 14-15 volts (for the NORMAL setting). If you connect one
wire of a light bulb to one of the rails (Red or Black) and the other wire to the
function wire, the voltage to the lights will be cut to half the normal voltage (7 - 8
volts).
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Place the loco on the programming track and refer to the section
“PROGRAMMING ON THE PROGRAMMING TRACK”. Almost all decoders come
from the factory with the short address “3”.
When wiring, the right hand rail is the rail to the right of the observer standing
between the rails with their back to the front of the locomotive, also referred to as the
“engineers side”. For traction systems, the overhead wire is considered the right
hand rail.