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DCC Concepts Buddha Decoder

Image of CRAIG WEATHERLEY.CRAIG WEATHERLEY looks at how to install this large scale Digital Decoder.

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General Overview

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The DCC Concepts ZEN Buddha 4 Function 3a Decoder, with "Stay Alive", is a very robust and well priced decoder for the model rail enthusiast working in the larger scales, like O Scale, G Scale, and even Gauge 1. It has a four-function 3amp continuous motor drive and is protected against any problems like short circuits and overloads.

The Buddha decoder is very resilient, and despite the ingenious ways that modellers have tried to (accidently) blow them up, they live on. Included with the Buddha is a Stay Alive unit, which is a capacitor that holds charge in case the track connection drops. This decoder will fit anywhere in most locomotives due to it only being 40mm in length, 25mm wide and 10mm in height.

Installation

Now let's look at how to install this decoder, following the guide below:

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1. When unpacked, simply remember that the red and black dots are the pickups and the orange and grey are the motor terminals, if you remember this then you won't go wrong.

2. Once you have taken the locomotive apart and found a space for the decoder to fit then you're ready to go. The Buddha has screw terminals, so it's incredibly easy to fit.

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3. Connect the red dot to one side of the pickups and the black dot to the other side of the pickups.

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4. Now connect the orange dot to one side of the motor terminal and the grey dot to the other motor terminal.

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5. Believe it or not your locomotive is now ready for DCC running, but remember all new decoder addresses are factory set to #3 when bought.

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Now when you look at the decoder close up you will notice other colour dots, these are used for any accessories that may be present on the locomotive i.e. smoke unit, lights etc. The blue dot is the return for all accessories and the other colours depict to different function numbers, however there is a black and white chequered dot which is only used for factory purposes, so don't connect anything to this!

All in all, this is a great value decoder for anyone who wants a high quality well-protected large scale decoder at an excellent price, that is easy to install.

DCDCD-ZBHP4.

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