NCE D15SR Manual - page 2
Installation Notes:
Caution: The D15SR decoder is covered with heat shrink tubing to protect it from short
circuits to the locomotive frame or wiring in the locomotive. Make sure there are no pinched
wires between the decoder and frame when replacing the body shell.
The most important part of a successful decoder installation is proper isolation of both
motor brushes from the track so that they are driven only by the decoder. Failure to isolate
the motor will definitely damage the decoder. Damage caused by failure to isolate the
motor is not covered by the decoder warranty.
To separate the 9 pin wire harness from the decoder: Firmly grip the decoder by the
sides, at the connector end with one hand. W ith your other hand firmly grip all 9 wires
between your thumb and forefinger about 3/4" back from the plug. Use a steady, gentle
pull. It is important to evenly distribute the force across all 9 wires. Try a small
side-to-side rocking rocking motion if the plug is reluctant to come out of the decoder.
Always test your decoder installation on an current limited programming track before
trying it on full track power.
We recommend that the first full power testing be done on regular DC. If the track pickup polarity is
reversed you will want to correct this for proper analog mode operation. The decoders should be
driven by a good quality smooth DC power unit. Power packs with pulse power systems such as
"tracking control", etc. will give unpredictable operation.
DC Lighting:
This decoder remembers which functions are on or off between uses. If a function was on during
DCC operation it will be on during DC operation. Lighting effects (Mars, flicker, etc) will also
operate. Lighting effects work best in DC mode when used with LEDs.
Recommended Lighting:
If you use LEDs we recommend a 1K ohm 1/4 Watt series resistor in each function lead
➙ Miniatronics #12-310-05 Yellow Glo White LEDs.
➙ Richmond Controls (or equivalent) Golden White LEDs.
➙ Miniatronics #18-712-10 (12v) or #18-014-10 (14v) incandescent bulbs
Function output ratings:
Due to the high in-rush current of incandescent grain-of-wheat type
bulbs (about 10 times their normal operating current) function outputs are rated at 40mA each if
used with incandescent bulbs. We recommend the Miniatronics part number mentioned above. If
you wish to use 50-100mA rated lamps we recommend a 22 ohm 1/4 Watt series resistor in
function leads with each bulb (this will also greatly extend bulb life).
**Last revised: 17 November 2003
Page 2
D15SR
WARNING: To prevent decoder damage:
always make sure the motor brushes are
properly isolated before applying power.
MOTOR
HEADLIGHT
REARLIGHT
DC BRUSH
GRAY
ORANGE
RED
BLACK
LEFT RAIL
(Fireman's Side)
RIGHT RAIL (Engineer's Side)
BLUE
WHITE
YELLOW
Light Common ( See note 1)
Output 2 (F0)
Output 1 (F0)
Left Track Power Pickup
Right Track Power Pickup
Motor +
Motor -
Output 3 (F1)
Note 1: The function common (blue wire) is the positive lead providing recitfied DC voltage. If you
elect to NOT use the common, power the light or other device from either track power pickup for
"half-wave" operation.
Output 4 (F2)
Output 5 (F3) available
as a solder 'pad' on
bottom of decoder
VIOLET
GREEN
F1
F2