DCC Corner: How to Install a DCC Decoder into a Locomotive

In this video, I show you how to install a basic DCC decoder into a non-DCC ready locomotive.

[@iowainterstaterailroadfan6543]

Hey great video, I have four of these locomotives That I have been wanting to do and have been searching for videos/information for months and finally found yours. You answered all my question that I had. Keep up the good work.

[@MotownModels]

+Iowa Interstate Railroad Fan Hey, thank you very much for the kind words!

[@matthenard]

Great information, thank you for the video, you answered a question I was looking all over for. I suspected that my other rail pickup was the ground wire, but I couldn't find that information anywhere, except here. So thank you.

[@Tallshipdreamer]

Nice Job, VERY insightful, it takes the "anxest" out of rewiring. thanks!

[@ibiubuok]

That's a nice locomotive. You've produced a good teaching video. Good job!

[@MotownModels]

@gtw4918 The DCC Circle of Fun has been bought out by SPSX, so I had to make a new series!

[@gtw4918]

It's the dcc circle of fun damnit!

[@percyhumphries5602]

Well done that was lots of help, thanks Peter

[@joelwilliams9311]

This is a clear video thank you. I have a challenge. When I solder to the grounding post it shorts out system. I’m using a Digitrax dcs52. I traced the short to the ground post. Any suggestions for what I’m doing incorrectly?

[@lawbench191]

Great video I got two of these custom painted that I need to decode!

[@lespaulguy32]

And thank you for telling us that the factory setting is 3!!!! lol Thanks for posting!!!!!

[@MotownModels]

@A10PANG I'm painting the model for OVLR, which is a fictional scenic railroad. If you remember that set of 5 "1890's" passenger cars from the "Rolling Stock/Locomotive Update" video, that is the consist this engine will be pulling.

[@MotownModels]

@MilwaukeeSDman They are for extra lighting functions (i.e. mars lights, marker lights, strobes, etc.).

[@rancocaskid]

very helpful

[@MotownModels]

@Tallshipdreamer I do already have some DIY videos but am revising a lot of them. This one will get re-done at some point in the "DCC for Dummies" series. I might join one of those sites! Thanks again!

[@MotownModels]

@ShuntingSteve Yes; any locomotive should be able to have a decoder put in this way (unless it's a 3-rail setup, which I think is only in O scale).

[@railroading29]

nice how to video

[@lawbench191]

Yes they do run nice for Bachman plus. I painted two of them for the Charleston and Western Carolina Railroad which was an ACL subsidary. I just wondered have put any decoders in the Bachman spectrum baby trainmasters chassis? I wondered how hard that is?

[@alvintrain]

Nice

[@ijondoro]

Good job on the video

[@MotownModels]

@luvtrns4evr You're right; almost every locomotive these days has a wire harness pre-installed. If you have some decent soldering skills, don't be afraid to give this a shot! It's a lot easier than it looks.

[@MilwaukeeSDman]

What are the wires you cut off for?

[@ScarySnowflakes]

What would the other three wires be for?

[@MotownModels]

@Josh Thompson yes.

[@how_to_hallagon1]

I'm assuming this here decoder is for lights and speed control only

[@Gettyrail]

Where the other wiers for more lights??

[@Tallshipdreamer]

@spazman13579 This is about the most specific video yet, I was confused about "Isolation" and that tape trick made it all come together. between that and your specific verbal, well enunciated direction, I think you should consider making "do it yourself" videos, or join E-How .com. Thanks Again.

[@MotownModels]

@Tallshipdreamer Thanks man!

[@A_10_PaAng_111]

What are you gonna paint it into??

[@MotownModels]

@alvintrain Thanks!

[@MotownModels]

1) it is not always on. 2) it did not warp or melt the shell whatsoever.

[@joenewstead4848]

now if you wanted to put a sound decoder in it. can you still do so?

[@MotownModels]

Joe Newstead Yes

[@A_10_PaAng_111]

@spazman13579 I see. Good luck.

[@MotownModels]

@railroading29 Thanks!

[@MotownModels]

@lespaulguy32 Haha, yes, don't program everything to "1" again!

[@slylumpkin]

@spazman13579 noooo no no no my lionel is great and we put the decoader in right WE know what to do its just that the decoder couldn't handle the amps of a quality model train that can handel a real lad of cars...

[@FB6_Civii]

whadda bout an n-scale?

[@farmerdave7965]

Wet your soldering iron sponge.

[@MotownModels]

Farmer Dave No.

[@MotownModels]

@slylumpkin 1st of all, Lionel HO's are terrible and you shouldn't bother putting DCC in them. And I'm guessing that you installed it wrong; these decoders don't burn out easily.w

[@MotownModels]

(jiz in my pants)

[@slylumpkin]

that decoder sucks we put one in my lionel ho scale and it fried

[@MotownModels]

@willygrant1971 Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[@sojournfan]

way to boring