Proto 2000 GP-38-2 Wiring Problem

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Geroge B has discovered a problem with the Proto 2000 GP-38-2 that may damage decoder.

A number of our members have encountered a significant problem when installing plug-n-play type decoders in the new Lifelike Proto 2000 GP38-2 locos, just released. It appears that the lamps used by Lifelike to light the Number Boards are improperly wired to the connector plug at the factory which will result in damage to the decoder used if operated on DCC. The lamps are connected between the rails on one side and the output of the decoder on the other. While the decoder will seem to program properly - when the operator attempts to run on main power the unit will not respond and may have blown control in one direction - the number board lamps will also not operate.

My suggestion is to remove the lamps that light the numberboards, replace them with 12V 40ma lamps and connect them across the red & black track wires - they will be on all the time or use one of the functions if you want to turn them on and off. If your decoder supports 1 1/2 V lamps - you can use the ones that Lifelike supplies , when connecting to other functions otherwise you'll need to replace them with 12V.

George

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