S-Helper Service Locomotive | F7

Manufacturer:

S-Helper Service

Product Category:

Locomotive

Model Name:

F7

Notes Type:

Electrical

Title:

Lights

Notes:

Don Thompson warns to not plug DCC decoders into this engine without dealing with the headlights, first. The headlights are 5-volt bulbs, and they will blow as soon as the decoder receives power (usually around 12 volts).

One option is to consider replacing them with LEDs and a matching resistor. The same applies to class lights, numberboards, and Mars lights, as applicable.

Don Thompson recalls that the wiring for the MARS light is there for single-headlight models. Note that the F7 models had the MARS light at the top and the main headlight at the bottom, as per the prototype, for dual-headlight models. This was an error discovered during the F3 production run and fixed for the F7 models.

Manufacturer:

S-Helper Service

Product Category:

Locomotive

Model Name:

F7

Notes Type:

Electrical

Title:

Printed Circuit Boards

The circuit board for the F7 A-unit, set up for multiple-unit operation, non-sound version (part #661-X033R3).

This circuit board is for the F7A-unit, either AC or DC power, non-sound version (part #661-X030R2).

The circuit board for the F7 B-unit, with DC power, non-sound version (part #661-X004R1).

The B-unit chassis shows the #661-X004R1 circuit board installed.

This circuit board is for the F7 A- and B-unit, with DC power, non-sound version (part #661-X031R4).

The A-unit chassis shows the #661-X031R4 circuit board installed.

This board is for the F7 A-unit, with LocoMatic, either AC or DC power, sound version (part #01201).

Manufacturer:

S-Helper Service

Product Category:

Locomotive

Model Name:

F7

Notes Type:

Electrical

Title:

Soundtraxx Tsunami Sound Decoders

File:

Soundtraxx Tsunami CV Factory Settings

External Web Link:

How to Use This Decoder

Notes:

The original sound decoders were manufactured by Soundtraxx. Don notes that these boards had two tiny circuit-breakers that would be triggered any time more than 12 volts was applied to them, and they would require a reset by Soundtraxx.

This is the circuit board layout of the board that S-Helper Service installed in their F7 (only) models that were using the Soundtraxx Tsunami DCC decoder. This diagram shows how the various wires are to be connected. This version is for the models that have Mars lights.

This is the circuit board layout of the board that S-Helper Service installed in their F7 (only) models that were using the Soundtraxx Tsunami DCC decoder. This diagram shows how the various wires are to be connected. This version is for the models that do not have Mars lights.

This is the circuit board for the interface for the F7 where additional resistors were needed from the outputs of the Tsunami for powering S-Helper Service's 5-volt lights and LEDs. This was part #661-X002. This is for the version with the Mars lights.

This shows this board and the Tsunami installed in an F7. Note that the 5-volt lighting function of the QSI Revolution sound decoders (which were installed in later releases of this engine) made this interface board obsolete.

Manufacturer:

S-Helper Service

Product Category:

Locomotive

Model Name:

F7

Notes Type:

Electrical

Title:

QSI Revolution Sound Decoders

File:

QSI DCC Installation Document

Notes:

At some point in the production, S-Helper Service switched away from the Soundtraxx decoder for these engines, and started using the QSI Revolution sound decoders. This was due to the current-draw that maxxed out what the Tsunami could handle (this was the original Tsunami; the Tsunami 2 may be able to handle it).

Manufacturer:

S-Helper Service

Product Category:

Locomotive

Model Name:

F7

Notes Type:

Electrical

Title:

Lionel TMCC Installation

External Web Link:

TMCC Compatible Conversion

S-Helper Service Locomotive | F7 | Electrical