I just installed a TCS decoder into a HO Kato SD-40-2 unit. First thing off the bat the unit would not run on DC ??? Taking a look at the way Kato gets the track power the light board I found that one of the contacts that runs down the side of the motor was not making contact with the strip that was in the side frame. This contact runs between the front truck and rear truck on both sides of the frame work. Bent the wing contact down so it touched the strip and now it would run on DC. Now on to the decoder install. Plug and play. The decoder is a DP2X. Simple 8 pin plug in type decoder. Looking at the instructions as to where pin #1 was I was a little confused. Did not know if the instructions were showing me the pins looking from the pin side or the side with all the components. But buy looking at the components I figured it out. Plugged the decoder in. Go to program track and I read the decoder, so I set the address and so forth Punch in the cab number (address) and the locomotive moved forward and backwards. BUT WAIT! I can't get the lights to work?? After some thoughts I noted that the locomotive was moving in reverse when my throttle said forward. This got me to thinking. The decoder must be in backwards. I turned the decoder 180 and installed. Now the loco goes the right way and the lights work. I researched TCS web page and noted that the instructions on the web page are correct. My printed manual that came with the decoder has the pins number incorrectly. Just a heads up. Not so simple a plug and play. LOL
