NCE SW9-SR decoder

[Toolbelt]

I just received my first decoder, for my P2K SW9 switcher. Luckily, it's a fairly basic decoder with only 3 available lighting functions (including front and rear headlights). It seemed like a great way to wet my feet, and I'm comfortable with soldering and basic electronics, and following instructions. I researched the connections online prior to ordering. When the board arrived, I noticed that some of the board layout differed from what I was expecting, and I don't want to make uneducated guesses. Where I expected a soldering pad to be marked F1, there is none. Nor is there an unlabeled pad in that location, nor are any pads marked F1. Where I expected a through hole soldering point "C" there is no through hole, but there is one marked "C" in a totally different location. The only connection point that looked familiar is the through hole for a 12v rear light, and it is located a hair away from an in place neighboring resistor. Perhaps schematically its meant to be a bridged connection, as they are so close that it would be near impossible to solder a wire to that hole without the solder bridging the connection points. My plan is to wire in an LED rear light and LED beacon light (with inline resistors). The front LED headlight is pretty straight forward with the board looking the same as the schematic. My board is marked (Rev D) so perhaps the instruction sheet illustrations weren't updated, or the wrong sheet was inserted with my decoder.

The instructions on page 5 is my schematic reference: https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/202830779

The pic is my actual decoder.

Any insight is appreciated. I filled out a request at NCE but not sure if that's a community self-help page or if NCE will respond directly.

 

[Toolbelt]

Good news. I received a response from NCE and they sent me a zip file of the updated manual (dated May 1, 2023) for my version. I was kinda hoping this version was upgraded to allow wiring in LEDs for the rear and aux lights without the need for adding resistors, but alas, the functionality remains the same as the original. As I'm just beginning my entry into DCC, I am hoping my issue was an oddity. There was no mention as to why my manual wasn't the updated version matching my decoder, and it's odd that their site doesn't have links to it as surely I won't be the only person experiencing this. I wouldn't want a similar experience if I buy a PowerCab.

 

[Iron Horseman]

Good news. I received a response from NCE and they sent me a zip file of the updated manual (dated May 1, 2023) for my version. I was kinda hoping this version was upgraded to allow wiring in LEDs for the rear and aux lights without the need for adding resistors, but alas, the functionality remains the same as the original. As I'm just beginning my entry into DCC, I am hoping my issue was an oddity. There was no mention as to why my manual wasn't the updated version matching my decoder, and it's odd that their site doesn't have links to it as surely I won't be the only person experiencing this. I wouldn't want a similar experience if I buy a PowerCab.

Wow. I just looked at and compared the picture of your decoder and the one in the manual. I can't even figure out which is F1 and F0 on your unit. Certainly does not make me want to buy that brand of decoder for my NW and SW locomotives. That is a little odd because I've always been a big proponent of the NCE DASR decoders.

 

[Espeefan]

Wow. I just looked at and compared the picture of your decoder and the one in the manual. I can't even figure out which is F1 and F0 on your unit. Certainly does not make me want to buy that brand of decoder for my NW and SW locomotives. That is a little odd because I've always been a big proponent of the NCE DASR decoders.

I'm pretty sure the information you want is on the board if you turn it over. I've installed a couple of these way back when, and the output labels were there.