Even If It's Just The Lights!

The author recently installed a Soundtraxx Economi PnP decoder into an Atlas (Kato drive) GP9. No problems getting it to fit (after modifying the light tubes). The speaker fit well to the roof of the long hood and there was even room for a Train Control Systems KA1 keep-alive. Sound and movement tests all checked out.

Now for the lights, for the last year the author has used SMD micro-LEDs for the headlight and reverse light. These are so small that they can be fitted anywhere including the small ditch light holders on the front sill of the locomotive. Some types of these LEDs come pre-equipped with 1 k Ω shrink wrapped resistors which makes for less work. They are not that expensive either, usually less than $1 apiece.

Back to the lights, the LEDs were hooked up to the decoder lighting outputs via standard jumper cables (sets are available at Radio Shack) for testing. No joy! Every combination of polarity, with/without a resistor and anything else possible was tried. Still no lights. This is a first. The author has never had a problem with Soundtraxx decoders before, why now. 

So, resigned to removing the decoder and sending it back to Soundtraxx, the removal process was start...WAIT A MINUTE!!! A while back there was a new decoder being worked on that was virtually dead. Remembering you should always factory reset a new decoder, the author reset it and it came back from the dead and worked perfectly after that. Let's try that on this one, VOILA!! LIGHTS!! and everything else also.

Note to self: Even if it's just the lights, factory reset a new decoder.

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