I have an Ho scale Proto 2000 with an 8 pin socket, I also have an MRC Mini decoder with an 8 pin connector. do I just plug it in and then program the loco and go? I also have one for My Spectrum 2-8-0 which the decoder instructions say to just plug and play, The Diesel one says I may need to isolate the motor, But if its DCC ready wouldnt it allready be isolated?
Your P2K GP7 should be ready to go. I would pull the plug and check each motor lead to the frame with a VOM though. I have seen solder bridges/etc on various makes through the years. The Digitrax DH163L0 decoder will handle the low voltage lamps in the engine automatically. I am not sure what will happen with the MRC sound decoder. You may have to put resistor in line with each lamp…
Jim
Thanks for the reply Jim. I need to remove the bulbs in the Gp7 and replace them with 12 volt bulbs then I shouldn’t need to add resisters.
A few years ago I replaced some 1.5v bulbs with 12v ones in order to avoid installing resistors. That was when I learnt that 12v bulbs get hot enough to melt plastic. The way to demo this is to connect a 12v bulb to the track and hold it between your fingers and see how hot it gets. If you don’t want to install resistors, try 14v or 16v bulbs instead and test them as I suggested.
Don
[#oops] sorry this is posted in the wrong area… Should have been in the elect and dcc page