Think fitting DCC Decoders is difficult? Follow our step by step guides to see just how easy fitting a chip can be!
Decoder Installation Guides
The following guides are to aid you in the installation of DCC decoder chips in to specific locos from the Hornby range.
Thomas & Friends
Basic Installation of a Locomotive Decoder
- Carefully remove the locomotive or tender body casing taking great care not to damage sandpipes and additional fitings.
- Remove the dummy plug and plug in the decoder, making sure the orange wire is facing pin 1. Insert decoder into protective sleeve as shown.
- Test the locomotive, programme the decoder and test again. Take care in reassembling the locomotive and run a final test.
Basic Installation of a Locomotive Decoder into a non DCC ready locomotive
- Remove the plug from the chip.
- Locate the wires from the pick ups and remove from motor.
- Solder Black & Red wires from chip, one to each pick up wire.
- Solder Grey & Orange wires to the motor contacts. There should be no other connections from the pick ups to the motor and any bare wires need to be isolated to prevent short circuits. If the locomotive has lights, follow the colour diagram shown.
- Locate a suitable decoder position.
- Make sure all excess wires are bundled up so not to interfere with wheels, gears & valve gears.
- Test and programme loco to unit.
Installation of a point/accessory decoder into a layout
- Programme the Hornby Accessory/Point Decoder as per the instructions.
- Position the decoder in a convienient location on or below the layout.
- Use the template supplied to drill two locating screw holes and fit screws.
- Drive the screws home so that there is 2 - 3mm of screw shaft exposed.
- Place the decoder over the screw heads and slide into position.
- Connect accessory/point wires.
- Connect two wires from the track to the Accessory/Point Decoder.