Hi guys, Can anyone help me as I am a bit baffled. I have a couple of Kato GE AC4400 locos that currently have decoders - both were bought second hand, and one appears to have the standard Kato factory fit DCC decoder in it, the other was a DC model that I have put a TCS drop-in decoder into. I have two queries: a) The factory-fit one was running fine, but I wanted to 'tweak' the CVs to slow its top speed down. Using JMRI Decoder Pro I thought I'd done this, and having programmed the decoder, beeped and reacted as it should, but after 30 minutes of it doing nothing, discovered that it had reset to ID #3. I have a Digitrax DCC system and no matter whether I try and programme through Decoder Pro or through the handset, it will not accept any programming commands, nor will it change its ID. I had originally changed it from #3 to 5642, the road number, fine so I know the decoder was ok. It seems there is some kind of lock, but I just cannot get round it - can anyone offer any thoughts please? b) Secondly, I am thinking of changing the decoders in both locos to Zimo sound examples. I know you can get drop-in sound decoders, but there are a number of factors steering me towards Zimo. Wiring a decoder up is no problem, I have done them in O and HO before, but I can only see two contacts on this Kato loco - so can anyone tell me (or point me towards any examples) of how a wired decoder can be fitted to a modern Kato N gauge loco please? Richie
In these locos, the frames are the “contacts” for track pickup, and then you have the motor tabs. What you will want to do is create a way for the black and red wires to contact the frame securely. The easiest method is to use some PCB board to fit under the frame contact notches (where the drop in decoders “slide” under) and then solder your wires to the respective sides. The orange and grey wires go to the right and left motor contacts, respectively.
Rick, Many thanks, that is really helpful. While looking at the decoder I had seen those soldered pads that slide under the notes, but hadn’t realised they were motor contacts! Cheers, Richie
No - no. Those are the power contacts from the rail. The motor tabs, on the drop ins, are contacted by the two brass clips which extend down the sides
Rick, Thanks in my mind, that's what I meant - just came out back to front on the message! I've now sent for the Zimo decoder and sugar cube speaker, so we'll now see where they fit, or what needs to be removed to make space for them. Richie
On many decoders, Zimo included. you can adjust the value of the Trim CV's, CV66 forward trim and CV95 for reverse trim. These CV's essentially slow down the locomotives for more reasonable speed. In addition they are helpful in speed matching locomotives.
