SoundTraxx LC Series Owners Manual User Manual
Page 7
LC SERIES DIGITAL SOUND DECODER OWNER’S MANUAL
7
INSTALLATION
Step 1. Select your Locomotive
If this is the first time you have installed sound in a locomotive, then we suggest you choose your
locomotive carefully. A few simple precautions will ensure that your first effort produces a great
sounding locomotive instead of an intimidating ball of wires:
-
Don’t pick a locomotive whose stall current draw exceeds the rating of the decoder.
-
Do pick a smooth running locomotive that runs well on straight DC power. A smooth
running mechanism is vital for good throttle control and enhances the realism of the
sound. Dirty, worn out or binding mechanisms not only overload the decoder, but also
will have trouble starting smoothly and will destroy the illusion created by the Auto-
Exhaust feature if they barely lurch along at half throttle.
-
Do start with an engine that is ‘sound-ready’ if possible, such as an engine with
predrilled speaker holes, for example, or diesel with a roomy ‘B’ unit. The simpler you
can make your first installation, the better.
-
Don’t pick a noisy engine, or one, which experiences some arcing or sparking when in
operation. The best sound will come from locomotives powered with can motors. Older,
open-frame motors may produce an offensive, interference sound.
Step 2. Test the Motor Stall Current
Test the locomotive’s stall current to ensure that it is compatible with the DSD-LC you are
planning to install.
1.
Place the locomotive on a section of track powered by a conventional DC power pack
set to 12 volts for N scale, and 14 volts for HO and S scales.
2.
Connect a DC ammeter in series with one of the track feeders as shown in Figure 1. If
your power pack has built in meters, they may be used for this purpose.
3.
While grasping the locomotive to prevent it from taking off, turn the power pack on.
4.
Stop the motor from turning by firmly pushing it down into the track or grabbing hold of
the flywheel or drive shaft.
Ammeter
DC Power Pack set to 14V
(12V for N-Scale)
Figure 1 - Current Draw Test