SoundTraxx Sierra
Wiring and Installation Notes for the Bachmann Shay

1. Electrical connections to the Sierra circuit board are made via a terminal block located at each end of the circuit board. Each terminal location is labeled 1 through 16 on the circuit board.

2. Begin by determining the mounting locations of the major components; the circuit board, battery and speaker. The speaker location has already been prepared and our 3" speaker fits perfectly. We recommend locating the circuit board inside the tender against the sidewall on the fireman's side. It can be secured in place using double sided foam tape or velcro.

The Shay does not have any drop-in location for the battery. However, it may be located in the tender and will fit under the coal load above the speaker after removing some of the plastic on the inside of the tender. The battery may also be located in the firebox once the original firebox lighting circuit is removed. For a quick and simple installation, the battery may also be attached to the locomotive frame underneath the cab between the side rails and is not too visible unless viewed directly from the side. This is made easier by removing the casing that covers the wires running under the engine.

3. Mount the speaker to the tender floor using the hardware provided by Bachmann.

4. Connect the speaker wires to terminals 9 and 10 of the circuit board.

5. For proper operation of the whistle signals, Sierra must be connected directly to the track power. Bachmann provides a small circuit board inside the tender that brings out power but this has been rectified and does not provide the change in electrical polarity that Sierra needs to sense locomotive direction. Therefore, power must be made by splicing into the motor wires that pass through the tender floor underneath the speaker. Referring to Figure 1, connect one splice to terminal 8 and the other splice to terminal 7.

6. Bachmann has already provided a switch triggered by the reciprocating action of the pistons and has brought these wires into the tender. These are the two yellow wires leading off of the small circuit board (Figure 1). Connect one yellow wire to terminal 11 and other wire to terminal 12.

7. Sierra's firebox lights are wired as follows: Connect the BLUE wire from each light to terminal 4. Connect the YELLOW wire from one light to terminal 5. Connect the YELLOW wire from the other light to terminal 6. Follow the directions that come with the our Firebox Lighting Kit, if you do not use the LEDs provided by Bachmann.

8. The Remote volume control switch allows you to easily adjust the volume and change setup parameters without gaining access to the circuit board. If you are installing the remote volume control switch, connect the switch's BLACK wire to terminal 2, the GREEN wire to terminal 3 and the YELLOW wire to terminal 1, as described in the instructions.

9. The coupler sensor switch is used to sense when the locomotive has backed into a piece of rolling stock or another locomotive and is mounted behind the coupler shank. The coupler will need to be modified to such that it can move back and forth by about 1/16" or so. This can be done by elongating the coupler mounting hole with a file as described in the owner's manual. The coupler switch is epoxied to the frame behind the coupler shank and then wired to terminals 12 and 16.

10. The battery is pre-wired. If you purchased the optional battery charger kit, you will need to splice the charging jack into the battery leads according to the instructions in the owner's manual. Mount the charging jack in a discrete location by drilling a 1/4" hole and securing in place with the jack's nut. Caution! The jack should be mounted to a plastic panel as the mounting thread is grounded and could otherwise cause a short circuit in the locomotive's wiring.

At the end of the battery harness is a three pin connector that simply plugs into the white receptacle located near the center edge of the Sierra circuit board. Note that the connector plugs in one way only. It is a tight fit and extreme care should be used if it becomes necessary to unplug it so as not to pull the wires out or pull the connector off the board.

11. The wiring is now complete. Refer to the owner's manual for setup and operating information.

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