Decoder
Installation for the Life Like's GP9 Decoder
Installation for the Life Like's GP9 Installing a decoder in a Life Like GP9 is straightforward. Before you begin you should select a decoder that fits the cavity in the locomotive and has the features you desire. For this example I chose a Lenz DIGITAL plus LE030 because this decoder fits nicely in the cavity and it has back emf control. This installation works equally as well using an LE103.
Please select from the following
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1. Remove existing Life Like circuit board by removing the two screws and disconnecting the wire to the motor and the wire to the trucks. This circuit board is no longer needed and may be discarded. Also remove and save two light protector panels.
2. Remove weight by removing 2 screws under fuel tank and one screw at either end of locomotive
3. Install a new 22 (or so) gauge wire between the two trucks. This makes installation easier and improves the electrical pickup. At this point only remove both wires that were previously soldered to the top of the trucks and solder the new wire to the truck on the long hood side
4. While the locomotive is apart, lubricate the locomotive using a high quality lubricant such as Aero-Car Motor Bearing Lubricant
Put a drop in each motor bearing (each side of motor and each universal joint (4 joints in all)
Grease (Aero-Car NG Gel) front and rear truck gears and replace truck covers
Lubricant with Motor Bearing Lubricant each truck bearing5. Reinstall weight, threading new 22 gauge wire from the truck under the long hood, up through frame and install 4 screws removed in step 2.
6. Lubricate bearings on wheels
7. Solder the (new 22 gauge) wire that you threaded through frame to the top of the truck under the short hood.
1. Determine the front of the locomotive-(short hood forward or long hood forward depending on personal preference.)
For this example we have chosen long hood forward. You can subsequently switch this to short hood forward by setting CV29 bit 0.
2. Purchase two16 volt light bulbs for use as the new headlights (available in most hobby shops).
3. Estimate position of bulbs, and cut the wire leads leaving enough for splices to decoder wires
4. Solder the decoder's white wire to one front light bulb wire (Use heat shrink tubing or electrical tape over the solder splice)
5. Solder the decoder's yellow wire to one rear light bulb wire (Use heat shrink tubing or electrical tape over the solder splice)
6. Solder the second wire from each light bulb to the decoder's blue common wire (Use heat shrink tubing or electrical tape over the solder splice)
1. With double sided foam tape, seat the decoder in the cavity
2. Motor Connection
A. Solder the decoder's orange wire to middle of metal bar located over the motor
B. Solder the decoder's gray wire to the side wire, that originates from the bottom of the motor and cover splice with heat shrink tubing or electrical tape. Use a small additional piece of electrical tape to hold the wire in place in the crack around the motor. This prevents subsequent problems when the shell is reinstalled.3. Track Installation (the right hand is the connection over the truck)
A. Solder the decoders red wire to truck metal tab on rear truck (short hood in this example)
B. Connect the decoders black wire to the frame, by stripping about 1/4" length, tipping with solder, and wrapping it around screw that was previously used to hold the Life Like circuit board in place. Screw down tightly.4. Reinstall light protector panels.
1. The first thing you should do is take the locomotive to the programming track and program the address. If no short is detected and you can either read the decoders address or observe a minor jerk during programming, the decoder was successfully installed.
2. Test out installation on DCC powered track. Ensure that when the cab says forward the locomotive moves forward. (In this case in the direction of the long hood.). If the locomotive does not move in the desired direction the orange and gray were installed to the incorrect motor leads.
3. Optionally test out installation on track powered by normal 12 volt DC. If the right hand rail is positive the locomotive should move forward. If the locomotive does not move in the desired direction the red and black were installed to the incorrect track leads.)
4. Install the shell on the locomotive and return the locomotive to the programming track to configure the CVs. This also rechecks the installation now that the shell is back on.
5. The following values are suggested for some of the Configuration Variable's
CV2 = 4 (the starting voltage)
CV3 = 3 (the acceleration rate)
CV4 = 3 (the deceleration rate)
CV5 = 8 (This sets the maximum speed and shapes the speed curve, LE030 only)
CV29 = 6 (configures the decoder for 28 throttle positions and enables automatic analog conversion)
Copyright 1997-2007 by Tried & True Trains,
Inc.
This page is written and maintained by: Stan Ames
For more information contact Debbie Ames,
President tttrains