Econami ECO-21P User manual

Rev. B 10/02/2015
Econami Digital Sound Decoder
Installation Guide

Notice
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
SoundTraxx (Throttle Up! Corp.) shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained
herein, nor for incidental or consequential damage resulting from the furnishing, performance or use of
this material.
This document contains information protected by copyright. No part of this document may be photocopied
or reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Throttle Up! Corp.
Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective
companies.
SoundTraxx, Econami, Tsunami, SoundTraxx DCC, Dynamic Digital Exhaust, Auto-Exhaust, Hyperlight,
Hyperdrive2, SoundCar, and Intelligent Consisting are trademarks of Throttle Up! Corp.

Contents
All Aboard! ............................................................................................................................... 4
Overview................................................................................................................................ 4
Pre-Installation Considerations............................................................................................... 5
Installation................................................................................................................................ 8
Step 1. Test the Motor Stall Current ....................................................................................... 8
Step 2. Plan the Installation.................................................................................................... 9
Step 3. Isolate the Motor and Lights from the Frame.............................................................13
Step 4. Modify the Tender or Body Shell ...............................................................................15
Step 5. Fit and Secure the Speaker.......................................................................................18
Step 6. Install and Wire the Decoder.....................................................................................20
Step 7. Test the Installation...................................................................................................27
Wiring Diagrams .....................................................................................................................28
ECO-100...............................................................................................................................28
ECO-21P...............................................................................................................................29
ECO-400...............................................................................................................................30
Support....................................................................................................................................31
90-Day “Safety Net” Warranty ...............................................................................................31

All Aboard!
Econami Installation Guide 4
All Aboard!
Overview
Congratulations on the purchase of your Econami Digital Sound Decoder! Properly installed,
Econami will provide high-quality sound at an affordable cost. This installation guide will give
you step-by-step instructions to successfully install the following Econami formats for steam,
diesel, and electric locomotives: ECO-100, ECO-21P, and ECO-400.
Though each decoder is tested thoroughly before shipping, we cannot control the correctness or
quality of a given installation. It is imperative that you follow the directions, and never remove
the protective heat-shrink from the decoder; there are no adjustments that can be made and this
will void your warranty.
The difficulty of an installation depends principally on the modeler, and may be more or less
challenging according to any given circumstance. However, an installer should generally have
basic modeling skills, be comfortable disassembling a model, and be able to identify wires, such
as power pickups and motor leads.
For further documentation regarding Econami for steam, diesel, and electric:
If you’re new to DCC and sound, refer to the Econami Quick Start Guides for default
operation and programming highlights.
Refer to the Econami User’s Guides for in-depth instruction regarding operating and
programming your Econami.
Refer to the Econami Technical References for details regarding each CV included in
Econami.
Refer to the Econami Sound Selection documents for a quick reference guide of CV
values to adjust sound effects in each version.
Refer to the SoundTraxx Guide to Successful Soldering for soldering tips and
recommendations.
To download all user documentation, visit www.soundtraxx.com/manuals.php.

All Aboard!
Econami Installation Guide 5
Pre-Installation Considerations
Carefully read the instructions that are printed on the decoder’s packaging. Then, finish reading
this installation guide. While installing Econami, keep these precautions in mind:
Handle the decoder carefully in a
static-free environment. To discharge
static electricity before handling the
decoder, touch a water pipe or another
grounded metal surface.
Never remove the decoder’s protective
shrink tubing; this voids your warranty.
Never make connections to the decoder
while it is receiving power.
Make sure all electrical connections are
insulated. Avoid using electrical tape; it
tends to unwrap over time. We
recommend using heat-shrink tubing
instead.
Never allow the decoder leads to come
in contact with any DCC track wiring not
specifically designed for that purpose.
Never allow speaker or motor outputs to
be shorted together.
Do not exceed the output ratings for
which the decoder is designed.
Do not choose a locomotive with a stall
current exceeding the decoder’s rating;
always test the stall current of your
locomotive before installing the decoder.
If possible, mount the decoder in an
area with some airflow to provide
ventilation for the decoder.
Mount the decoder away from other
heat sources (such as the motor or
lamps) to avoid overheating.
Always use a proper speaker enclosure
(baffle) and select the largest speaker
possible.
Take your time and have fun!
Note: Econami does not require a programming track booster.
Note: In the event that you damage the decoder during installation, our warranty policy is stated
within the “Support” section at the end of this installation guide. It includes information about
returning the decoder to SoundTraxx for repair or replacement.