AN BL class by Austrains

These installation tips also apply to the Austrains 81 & G class models.

Items used:

ESU 58420 LokSound 5 DCC 8 pin decoder, or

Optional: ESU 58429 LokSound 5 DCC 21-MTC decoder (if hardwiring)

DCCSound twin speakers to suit Austrains G/BL/81 class

Decoder mounting board (if hardwiring decoder)

Optional: ESU 51957 21MTC adapter board (if hardwiring)

Disassembly

1) Remove the coupler assembly from each end of the model.

2) Remove the 4 screws from the underside of the chassis. These hold the body in place (use a small jeweller's screwdriver to avoid the molded brake parts).

3) Gently lift the body from the chassis.

Installation (8 pin plug)

1) Plug the decoder in to the 8 pin socket.

2) Place each speaker on the chassis. The inboard end of each speaker is a firm fit against the motherboard. This is done to provide clearance to the lighting PCB in the roof area.

3) Solder the speaker terminals such that they are wired in parallel and in phase and connect to the two brown speaker wires.

4) Refit the shell - noting clearance between the body mounting posts and the speaker.

5) Refit the body screws and couplers.

Installation (hardwired)

If separation of lighting features is desired, the decoder should be hardwired, with the Austrains 8 pin motherboard removed.

1) Disconnect the looms from the 10 sockets on the motherboard.

2) Remove the two screws holding the motherboard to the chassis and remove the motherboard.

3) Cut the red/black wires which run to the three fuel tank switches flush at the chassis. These switches are not required for operation with DCC.

4) Cut the white plugs from the remaining wire assemblies, icnluding the two in the body assembly.

5) Fit the 3D printed decoder mounting board using the two screws which held the Austrains motherboard to the chassis.

6) Fix the 58420 decoder or 51957 21MTC adapter board to the mounting board using double sided tape. It is recommended to go the 21 pin decoder route as the 51957 adapter board comes with ESU fine wires preconnected and makes the install a bit neater.

7) Wire the orange and grey decoder wires to the motor

8) Wire the decoder's red wire to the RHS red track power pickup wires

9) Wire the decoder's black wire to the LHS red track power pickup wires

10) Fix the speakers to the chassis with a couple of small drops of CA glue. Wire these in parallel and in phase to the 2 solder pads on the decoder (speaker outputs).

11) Connect the lighting wires as follows, noting no additional resistors are required:

Note: Removal of the two overhead lighting boards from the body may make wiring easier.

Overhead PCBAs at each end, inside body:

F0f (front headlight): White wire from adapter board/decoder to white wire "LED1".

F0r (rear headlight): Yellow wire from adapter board/decoder to white wire "LED1".

Aux 1 (numberboards front): Green wire from adapter board/decoder to green wire "LED3".

Aux 2 (numberboards rear): Purple wire from adapter board/decoder to green wire "LED3".

Small PCBAs at each end of the chassis:

Aux 3 (white markers front): Wire from Aux 3 solder pad to white wire "LED4".

Aux 4 (white markers rear): Wire from Aux 4 solder pad to white wire "LED4".

Aux 5 (red markers front): Wire from Aux 5 solder pad to yellow wire "LED10".

Aux 6 (red markers rear): Wire from Aux 6 solder pad to yellow wire "LED10".

Note: Aux 7 & 10 are not wired in this BL class example due to no ditchlights fitted.

Aux 7 (ditch lights front): Wire from Aux 7 solder pad to orange wire "LED2".

Aux 10 (ditch lights rear): Wire from Aux 10 solder pad to orange wire "LED2".

All blue wires from the model are connected to the blue wire (+ve common) at the adapter board/decoder.

Test the lighting then reassemble the model, refitting the body screw and couplers.