Hi friends At first I wasn't sure how to go about installing a decoder in the LL 2-8-8-2 but after spending time looking at the wiring it became clear just how to do it. I used an old LE010XF for this job, Here's the install step by step. 1. After removing the shell you will see a nice flat area at the rear of the locomotive, this is where the decoder will sit, attach the decoder with double faced tape. You will also see two black wires soldered to a brass tap that is screwed to this same area, unscrew this and unsolder the wires from the brass tab. Now solder the orange wire from the decoder to the brass tab and screw it back into place on the locomotive. This takes care of the orange wire. 2. The two black wires you unsoldered go to the right side of the drivers and you want to keep these two together, solder the red wire from the decoder to both of these black wires. This takes care of the red wire and you have finished the right side of the locomotive. 3. You will see three wires soldered to the top pole of the motor, two wires are black and like the right side you did already they are for the left side of the drivers. Keep these two black wires together and solder the black wire from the decoder to them. This takes care of the black wire. 4. Solder the gray wire from the decoder to the top pole of the motor. This takes care of the gray wire and the left side of the locomotive. 5. All you should have left is the red wire coming from the light board. Solder the white wire from the decoder to this red wire and your all done. Updated: Step #5 is incorrect, DO NOT wire the white decoder wire to the red board wire. Solder the red board wire back on the top motor pole where it originally was. I have not installed sound in the tender yet but it looks to be even simpler than the locomotive was, I should have sound in mine next week. Have fun [ 27. December 2002, 07:55: Message edited by: Daylight99 ]
The Definitive Decoder Install by Daylight99! Thanks Bob, your procedure is so clear, I can see the pictures in my head. It's like someone just explained the meaning of life, and all along it was so simple!
I made one mistake in my instructions. DO NOT wire the white headlight wire to the red wire coming off the light board, the board is screwed to the frame which is part of the motor (orange) right hand side. As of now I have not figured out a way to turn the headlight on and off but if you want your headlight to work just solder the red wire back where it originally was on the top motor pole with the gray wire. It will be on all the time but thats better than nothing. Sorry for the mix-up
