USA Trains NW2 Switcher

duncan1_9_8_4

duncan1_9_8_4

UK Railway Signaller and Garden Railway Operator
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United-Kingdom
Afternoon. I have just purchased a NW2 from Garden Railway Specialists. Is it easy to fit a decoder to this loco and if so what type? I only want to do it if an idiot like me can do it.
Thanks
 
No more difficult than any other USAT diesel:

https://elmassian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=53

nw2_opened.jpg


Get some JST plugs and connect to the track and motor connections.

I'd change to LEDs, and wire the decoder to them.

Greg
 
As Greg says...
If you want to keep the lights (and any effects) 'as is', then the easiest way is to isolate track and motors.. Connect these to decoder..
NOTE: the red/black colours are different across the connectors, and from front and rear blocks, as one runs 'backwards' but the wiring is the same!

Then feed a DPDT relay to switch 'DC' from the decoder to the original board.. This controls directional lighting, and can be turned off via DCC.

Wire another relay to switch track to smoke unit(s), again controlled from a function output on the decoder..

I can do one in about three hours..
 
duncan1_9_8_4 said:
Ha. Iv only ever done LGB. Sounds complicated.
Click to expand...

There is a little more to it, but no worse than dealing with LGB 'black with a black tracer' wiring..

If you take it methodically, then it might take a little longer, but is not too bad.

They are just different, so a little daunting to start with..
 
There's a lot of good tips when going to the next level of installations.

A common error, is doing the complete install, motor, lights, smoke, and then buttoning it up and it does not work.

Disconnect everything.

Absolutely determine the track pickup connections, connect to the decoder.

Connect motors to decoder.

Put on programming track and make sure you can communicate. There is an added benefit that if you have a short, the programming track voltage will not destroy anything.

Do the lights one by one.

Test each step, and ONLY THEN button up the loco.

While working, I often twist wires together before final soldering. INSULATE with painters tape. NEVER assume the loose wires will NOT short or move.

If you just followed these you will succeed.

Greg
 
duncan1_9_8_4 said:
Panic over, it was a second hand loco, and un known to me it already has a chip in it..... with sound. Bonus.
Click to expand...

Suggest you bookmark this thread, you may not be so lucky with the next purchase!
JonD
 
PhilP said:
As Greg says...
If you want to keep the lights (and any effects) 'as is', then the easiest way is to isolate track and motors.. Connect these to decoder..
NOTE: the red/black colours are different across the connectors, and from front and rear blocks, as one runs 'backwards' but the wiring is the same!

Then feed a DPDT relay to switch 'DC' from the decoder to the original board.. This controls directional lighting, and can be turned off via DCC.

Wire another relay to switch track to smoke unit(s), again controlled from a function output on the decoder..

I can do one in about three hours..
Click to expand...
Greg Elmassian said:
There's a lot of good tips when going to the next level of installations.

A common error, is doing the complete install, motor, lights, smoke, and then buttoning it up and it does not work.

Disconnect everything.

Absolutely determine the track pickup connections, connect to the decoder.

Connect motors to decoder.

Put on programming track and make sure you can communicate. There is an added benefit that if you have a short, the programming track voltage will not destroy anything.

Do the lights one by one.

Test each step, and ONLY THEN button up the loco.

While working, I often twist wires together before final soldering. INSULATE with painters tape. NEVER assume the loose wires will NOT short or move.

If you just followed these you will succeed.

Greg
Click to expand...
HI Greg,
I am new to the forum and you seem very knowledgeable. I just bought one of these USA trains NW Switchers and I am getting ready to install a blunami decoder. Can I power the lights through the JST plugs and stock electronics by using some 2K Ω ohm Resistor 1/4W on the stock bulbs. or would you suggest running new LED's directly from the blunami board. And if so do you know what led's do you suggest? This is my first G Scale decoder install with lights.

Thanks for your help.

Paul
 
Paul, welcome to the forum. Unfortunately Greg is no longer a member here, but I'm sure there's some one else who can help.
 
CarlosKomandante said:
HI Greg,
I am new to the forum and you seem very knowledgeable. I just bought one of these USA trains NW Switchers and I am getting ready to install a blunami decoder. Can I power the lights through the JST plugs and stock electronics by using some 2K Ω ohm Resistor 1/4W on the stock bulbs. or would you suggest running new LED's directly from the blunami board. And if so do you know what led's do you suggest? This is my first G Scale decoder install with lights.

Thanks for your help.

Paul
Click to expand...
You may find help for this and possible contact on his website. Link from his past posts on our site.
www.elmassian.com
 
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