Model Railroading > Intermountain F7 question

I have an Alaskan Bicentennial F7 from intermountain.  I am replacing the QSI decoder in it as it doesn't have motor control anymore.  I was wondering if anyone knows what the wiring color diagram on the lights are?  I have looked at intermountain's website, and have emailed them and not heard anything back.  I am using a decoder buddy and soundtrax economi for my replacement.   Thanks for any help. 

 

Hi,   I read your message yesterday but thought someone with more knowledge of the I guess motherboard you want to use would answer your question.   So,  I will offer this as help.   I really like InterMountain F's.   I  think the IM drive is smoother and quieter than the GEN one.    The cab interior is not as nice but you can't see in there anyway.   What I like the most about the body is that they all have full lighting up front, headlights and number boards AND the markers.   So,  on my IM F's there is a small printed circuit board in a slot at the front that holds the LED's for headlights, number boards.    You can trace the wires in the board to figure which ones are for which lights.   But here is where I diverge from your setup.   I use a Soundtraxx Economai  printed circuit board style decoder.   No motherboard is needed.   Just direct wires to the functions as labeled on the board and instructions.   You can add a Keep Alive to this as well.   It has functions to control the lights independently of the motor so again no motherboard is needed.   Last I would use a Scale Sound Systems speaker.

Richard.

UP6936,

 I've replaced a few of those older decoders with what you're doing. There is a NMRA standard for color coding wiring in a DCC locomotive. However, too many manufacturers don't follow this standard, including IM. I usually replace the existing wiring to 1. conform to the NMRA standard and 2. solder every connection I can to insure reliability. Below is the internal DCC interface chart from the NMRA's standards website. Good luck with your upgrade.

best regards,
Mark G

---

I suggest you call IM, they have always been helpful to me.