How do I go about wiring a P2k GP38? I have the wires run and everything but where do they go on that little board with the plug for a decoder? Thanks, Mike
Follow this link
A darned good explanation I think.
Look at the little board, there may be marks showing where you should cut traces. They have to be cut to route power correctly.
If not, the dummy plug that is installed in the socket is doing the power routing, and substituting a decoder with that type of plug solves that issue. Or you just pull the plug and hard wire the decoder in.
Then there is the issue of lamp voltage. You may as well change them right away, as they’ll probably blow when you turn them on. Or just install LEDs.
Talk to your local dealer or check out a couple of decoder manufacturer’s websites. They may have a plug in solution listed.
The Digitrax DH165L0 is a direct drop in for this loco - remove the larger board, plug the smaller one into the decoder (the one with all the wires attached). It already has current limited output to protect the bulbs, however you will still need to change the number board lights per the TCS site, if your model has them. For some idiotic reason, Life Like connected the number board lights across the motor and this will not work with a DCC decoder. It is not a difficult install if the proper decoder is used. Hard wiring a decoder liek on the TCS page, that is a bit more involved.
–Randy