Installing a sound decoder - 3
uses, as you will need to know this later. The decoder must be
mounted far enough forward so the wires will not get caught in
any moving parts, and there must be enough room around the
motor for the cable to the tender and a couple other wires to
pass freely.
If the decoder will fit in the boiler, proceed to the next para-
graph – if it will not, it will be covered in the paragraph entitled
“Decoder in Tender.”
Lighting functions
First, decide on what lighting effects you want to use. Then we can
discuss the actual wiring and soldering in the next section after you
have all the components ready to hook up.
Most steam locos had a single headlight but some, like the SP
Daylight 4-8-4s and others, had a Mars light as well. In addition,
many people have also installed a golden white LED at the rear of
the firebox to simulate the flash of the oil burner flame, using the
“Firebox Flicker” option of the Tsunami. I have also wired in a few
classification lights on the front, as well as cab interior lights.
The Tsunami is a four-function decoder, meaning it has provi-
sion for a headlight and a backup light, plus two additional
lighting options using functions 5 and 6.
Determine which lighting you want and whether you want LEDs
or incandescent bulbs. Most steam loco headlights need to be
drilled for a bulb.
“The decoder must be mounted far enough
forward so the wires will not get caught in
any moving parts.”
MRH-Dec 2013
