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.

All Aboard!
Econami Installation Guide 6
Tools and Materials You Will Need
In addition to the common hand tools found on most modeler’s workbenches, you should have
the following at your disposal:
Low-wattage soldering iron
Rosin-core solder and flux
Hobby knife
Miniature screwdriver set
Diagonal wire cutters
Handheld rotary tool
Multimeter
Double-sided foam tape
Velcro
Heat-shrink tubing
Silicone RTV
Drill bit assortment
We also recommend and offer the following items to aid your installation. For more information
about our installation accessories, visit www.soundtraxx.com/access/index.php.
Microconnectors: Micro-connectors can be used to facilitate easy separation of
components, such as speakers from the locomotive. We offer a 2-pin microconnector kit
(P.N. 810012) and a 10-pack of mini-microconnector pins and sockets (P.N. 810058).
NMRA-Compatible 8-Pin Connector (P.N. 810123): Use this connector for converting
universal-style decoders to a “plug-and-play” format.
Microbulbs and LEDs: Take advantage of Econami’s Hyperlight lighting effects with 1.5V
microbulbs or 3.3V LEDs. We offer two sizes of 1.5V microbulbs: 1.3mm
(P.N. 810023) and 2.2mm (P.N. 810025). We also have 3.3V, 3mm LED bulbs available in
sunny white (P.N. 810133) and golden-white (P.N. 810134). All bulbs are offered in
economical 6-packs.

All Aboard!
Econami Installation Guide 7
Miniature Speakers, Baffles, and Gaskets: We have a variety of miniature speakers
suitable for use with digital sound decoders; choose the largest speaker the installation will
allow. We also offer an assortment of baffle and gasket kits.
CurrentKeeper (P.N. 810140): This module helps maintain decoder performance during
momentary power interruptions, such as over switches or dirty track.
DBX-9000 Locomotive-to-Tender Wiring Kit (P.N. 810132): This quick-disconnect
harness facilitates easy separation of the locomotive and tender for storage, service, and
maintenance.
Flexible 30AWG Wire: Our super-flexible wire is ideal for working in tight spaces. It is
available in 10-foot lengths and 11 colors to match NMRA and SoundTraxx standards.
Shrink Tube Assortment (P.N. 810037): Use heat-shrink tubing to protect and insulate
wire connections.

Installation
Econami Installation Guide 8
Installation
Step 1. Test the Motor Stall Current
Test the locomotive’s stall current to ensure that it is compatible with Econami:
1. Place the locomotive on a section of track powered by a conventional DC powerpack set to
the same track voltage as your command station (typically 12-14 volts).
2. Referring to Figure 1, connect a DC ammeter in-series with one of the track feeders. If your
powerpack has built-in meters, you may use them for this purpose.
Figure 1: Testing the Locomotive’s Motor Stall Current
3. Immobilize the locomotive by holding it to the track, and turn on the powerpack.
4. Firmly press down on the locomotive or hold the motor’s flywheel to stop it from spinning.
5. Ensure the powerpack voltage remains the same to receive an accurate measurement.
6. Measure the current the locomotive is drawing while the motor is stalled; this is the stall
current.
7. Ensure the motor stall current is less than the decoder’s rated capacity.

Installation
Econami Installation Guide 9
Step 2. Plan the Installation
The sound quality you will receive from Econami depends specifically upon the way you install
the speaker. Consider the following as you plan your sound installation:
Provide ventilation for the decoder if possible.
Mount the decoder away from other heat sources (such as the motor or lamps) to reduce
the chance of overheating.
Always provide a proper enclosure (baffle) for the speaker. Lack of a speaker baffle will
cause poor sound quality.
Use the largest speaker the locomotive will allow; a bigger speaker will provide more volume
and deeper bass.
Speaker Considerations
Select the largest speaker that your model permits. A larger speaker cone is able to produce
higher quantities of air pressure, and will allow the speaker to effectively produce higher levels
of volume. Furthermore, a large speaker allots more space for the voice coil to respond to the
audio signal, and will facilitate a higher quality low-frequency response for a more realistic
exhaust sound. We offer a range of speakers that you can use inside your model. Refer to the
following comparison chart to pair Econami with the appropriate speaker.
Note: Be sure that your speaker is rated to match the audio amplifier of your decoder; failure to
do so could cause severe damage to your speaker. Ratings for each Econami format are
available on the packaging and at www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/econami.
Speaker Comparison Chart
P.N.
Type
Shape
Dimensions
(mm)
Dimensions
(in)
Ohms
Min.
Power
(watts)
Max.
Power
(watts)
Freq.
Response
(kHz-Hz)
810053
Miniature
Round
20 x 3
0.8 x 0.1
8
0.5
1
475-9
810054
Miniature
Round
28 x 5
1.1 x 0.2
8
0.25
0.4
350-14
810078
Miniature
Oval
40 x 29 x 11
1.6 x 1.2 x 0.5
8
1
2
250-20
810089
Miniature
Round
15 x 4
0.6 x 0.15
8
0.3
0.5
400-20
810103
Miniature
Oval
40 x 20 x 8
1.6 x 0.8 x 0.3
8
1
1.5
200-12
810112
Miniature
Oval
25 x 14 x 5
1 x 0.5 x 0.2
8
1
1.5
300-20
810113
Miniature
Oval
35 x 16 x 8
1.4 x 0.6 x 0.3
8
1
2
250-13
810114
Miniature
Round
30 x 5
1.2 x 0.2
8
0.5
1
325-20
810115
Miniature
Oval
35 x 20 x 5
1.4 x 0.8 x 0.2
8
1
2
300-5
810129
Mega Bass
Square
23 x 23 x 10
0.9 x 0.9 x 0.4
8
2
4
275-20
810130
Mega Bass
Round
27 x 14
1 x 0.5
8
1
2
125-20
810131
Mega Bass
Square
28 x 28 x 11
1.1 x 1.1 x 0.5
8
2
4
200-20
Note: If a single large speaker isn’t an option, you may be able to use two or three smaller
speakers to improve the frequency response. For details, refer to “Wiring Multiple Speakers”
within “Step 6. Install and Wire the Decoder.”

Installation
Econami Installation Guide 10
Speaker Enclosures
A speaker enclosure (baffle) should be used within the model to strengthen the sound response.
An enclosure will allow air pressure created from the speaker cone to build within a confined
space and amplify sound. Conversely, weak sound responses occur when air pressure from the
speaker cone cannot accumulate effectively within an appropriately sized enclosure.
The enclosure should be sized to fit the speaker. The pressure building within an enclosure that
is too small for the speaker will compromise certain frequencies and muffle the sound response.
As a general guideline, speakers with a diameter less than 4” should equal the enclosure’s
dimensions. For example, a 1” speaker should be paired with a 1” x 1” x 1” enclosure.
Note: Employing a proper speaker enclosure cannot be emphasized enough; the absence of an
effective enclosure is almost always the cause of poor sound quality.
Speaker enclosures should also be:
Fixed with stiff walls to prevent vibrations and buzzing
Installed flush with the speaker dimensions to create an airtight space for the speaker cone
to build pressure and produce a strong sound response
Drilled with holes to form an opening roughly half the size of the speaker area
Note: The opening in the enclosure should be adjacent to the front of the speaker and
should not fall outside of the speaker face. Drilling a pattern of small holes to create an
opening is often easier than drilling a single large hole.
We offer various snap-together baffle kits like the one shown below. For more information, visit
www.soundtraxx.com/access/baffles.php.
SoundTraxx Speaker Baffle Kit

Installation
Econami Installation Guide 11
Steam Locomotive Considerations
Sound quality depends on speaker placement, which depends on the size and type of
locomotive. The speaker will produce higher quality sound when fixed within an airtight
enclosure with the front of the speaker facing open air. Most steam engines have a tender that
can be used as an enclosure. You can orient the speaker face up toward the coalbunker or face
down toward the floor –both offer quality sound.
In small tenders, the speaker should be mounted in the coalbunker area with higher walls
covering the speaker magnet. If this isn’t possible, you may need to get creative and install the
speaker in the boiler or smokestack. We also offer an assortment of baffle kits, or you can
create enclosures from sheet styrene, basswood, or cardboard. If you’re in a pinch, try using a
plastic bottle lid, a 35mm film canister, or the paperboard core from a roll of paper towels.
Figure 2 shows a typical sound installation for a steam locomotive with the speaker pointing up
through the coal load. The tender shell acts as a baffle for the speaker. To allow the sound to
escape, the plastic coal load can be perforated with small holes.
Figure 2: Steam Sound Installation

Installation
Econami Installation Guide 12
Diesel Locomotive Considerations
When planning a diesel installation, we recommend providing additional airflow if possible. Do
not mount the decoder above the motor; the motor will raise the decoder’s temperature during
operation.
Figure 3 shows a typical diesel installation where the speaker has been mounted in the fuel tank
with the decoder under the fan grilles. Opening the fan grilles and drilling a number of small
holes through the underside of the frame will create some airflow, and the fuel tank will act as a
baffle for quality sound.
Figure 3: Diesel Sound Installation
Other Installation Considerations
Finally, you will need to decide whether or not to hardwire the electrical connections or use a
plug-in connector. A connector will allow you to easily separate the components for storage and
service. However, avoid reversing the connector during reassembly to prevent damaging the
decoder. Hardwiring the decoder will prevent this, though separating connections will be more
difficult.

Installation
Econami Installation Guide 13
Step 3. Isolate Motor and Lights from the Frame
Note: If you have a DCC-ready model with an 8-pin connector, proceed to page 25.
To ensure only the decoder’s motor outputs are driving the two motor brush connections, isolate
the motor brush connections from electricity. Many locomotives are “DCC-ready,” and this step
may not be necessary, though it varies depending upon the manufacturer. Under “Step 6. Install
and Wire the Decoder,” refer to “Installing into DCC-Ready Locomotives” for more information
regarding DCC-ready installations.
Note: Failure to properly isolate the motor may damage the decoder and we recommend
always practicing this step during the installation process.
To verify that the motor brush terminals are isolated from the chassis and rail pickups, refer to
the following procedure:
1. Make sure to have an ohmmeter or continuity tester that you can use to confirm that each
motor terminal is isolated.
2. Remove the body shell from the locomotive (and the tender shell for steam installations).
3. Examine the locomotive wiring and locate each wire and where each wire is connected;
identify the power pickups for the left and right rails and the positive (+) and negative (−)
motor connections.
Note: For N, HO, and S scales, the positive motor connection is connected to the right rail
(engineer side) power pickup.
Figure 4: Conventional DC Power Pickups
4. Disconnect all wires that lead to motor terminals.
Note: Some motor brush connections are made with a spring contact with the chassis. In
this instance, remove or modify the spring contact. Be aware that the motor and frame are
permitted to make contact when the body is reinstalled in some locomotives.
5. Set the multimeter to continuity or ohmmeter, and touch both meter probes together. Ensure
it reads 0 (short circuit) to verify the meter is functioning correctly.
6. Touch one of the probes to a motor brush terminal.

Installation
Econami Installation Guide 14
7. Touch the other probe to the locomotive’s frame, then to the power pickup wire for the left
rail, then to the power pickup wire for the right rail and ensure the meter indicates an open
circuit.
8. To complete the test, remove the probe from the brush terminal that has already been
tested and touch it to the other motor brush terminal. Then, ensure the meter indicates an
open circuit by performing the same test with the other probe: touch it to the frame, the left
rail pickup, and then the right rail pickup.
9. Disconnect all lighting wires.
10. Using the ohmmeter (or continuity tester), verify each lamp lead is isolated from the
locomotive’s frame, the left rail pickup, and the right rail pickup.

Installation
Econami Installation Guide 15
Step 4. Modify the Tender or Body Shell
A certain amount of “bodywork” may be necessary to accommodate the speaker and sound
system. This typically includes removing weights, mounting brackets, and internal bracing, as
well as modifying other structural features.
Steam Modification
Installing Econami into a steam locomotive often involves modifying the tender and tender floor.
Heighten Low Tender Sidewalls
On tenders with low sidewalls, the speaker will often be
mounted face up in the coalbunker to provide adequate
clearance for the sound system fixed to the tender floor.
To heighten the sidewalls, add a wooden retaining wall:
1. On the tender deck, trace around the edge of the
speaker.
2. With a jeweler’s saw, cut a circular opening roughly
1.5mm from the outline.
3. File and remove all sharp edges and burrs.
4. Contour a piece of fine mesh or polyurethane and
cover the coal load to disguise the speaker.
Note: Tenders with flat decks across the
coalbunker are less difficult to modify.
Styrene Subdeck Speaker Mount
Plastic tenders often have a molded coal load already in
place. Unfortunately, the inside surface of such tenders is
contoured to match the coal load and does not provide a
flat mounting surface for the speaker. Alternatively, a
subdeck can be fabricated from 0.060” styrene that fits
tightly against the tender sides below the coal load:
1. Cut a large circular opening appropriate for the
speaker’s diameter into the styrene sheet.
2. Glue the subdeck to the inside of the tender shell.
3. Using a No. 50/60 drill bit, drill through the coal load
several times at random angles between the coal
“nuggets” to allow sound to escape.
Figure 5: For some models, you may
have to heighten sidewalls to provide
clearance for the sound system.
Figure 6: For models with a molded
coal load, create a styrene subdeck to
provide a flat mounting surface for the
speaker.

Installation
Econami Installation Guide 16
Tenders with Exposed Coal Slope Sheets
More prototypical tenders have fuel bunkers that extend to
the tender floor. Consider tender size before mounting the
speaker:
For larger tenders, the speaker should be mounted on
the tender floor.
For smaller tenders, the slope sheet and interior
walls will interfere with the speaker and the sound
system. It will usually be necessary to remove and
replace them with sheet brass or styrene to create a
flat-decked tender.
Modify the Tender Floor
Speakers can be located on the tender floor in many instances. Consider the following when
mounting the speaker to the tender floor:
1. Determine the exact speaker location within the tender and verify that there is clearance
between the tender body and speaker magnet.
2. In the pattern shown in Figure 8, drill 10-15 holes to provide an opening for the sound to
escape; each hole should measure roughly 0.25” in diameter.
3. Take care not to alter the tender underbody detail
and drill towards the center of the circle, only within
the specified area.
4. Once you have drilled the holes, file all burrs and
uneven edges and ensure no solder joints, screw
bosses, or mounting studs obstruct the speaker
mount; the tender floor should be smooth and flush
against the surface of the speaker.
Figure 7: If necessary, replace the slope
sheet and inside walls with sheet brass or
styrene to accommodate the sound
system.
Figure 8: For speakers mounted on the
tender floor, drill holes below the speaker
to allow the sound to escape.

Installation
Econami Installation Guide 17
Diesel Modification
Consider the following for diesel models:
You may need to remove weight from the fuel tank or replace the model’s fan grilles with
some open-grille detail parts.
You will need to fashion a mounting plate for the speaker and seal it well.
If you place the speaker under open fan grilles, consider using a separate speaker baffle
rather than the body, as it may be difficult to seal the chassis well enough to achieve the
desired results.
Figure 9 shows some common diesel modifications:
Figure 9: Common Diesel Body Modifications

Installation
Econami Installation Guide 18
Step 5. Fit and Secure the Speaker
After you’ve modified the model appropriately, arrange the speaker components and secure
them in place.
Fit the Speaker
If the speaker is wider than the allotted installation space, you may need to trim the speaker
width to get a proper fit. We recommend that you purchase a smaller speaker rather than doing
this. However, if you do need to file the speaker, consider the following:
Remove only the speaker frame and outer edge of the diaphragm.
A large gap of open air will reduce the speaker’s bass response and can be filled with
cardstock if needed.
For optimal performance, the speaker should fit within the body shell so that the edges of
the speaker diaphragm are as close to the shell’s sides as possible without making direct
contact; do not allow the speaker cone to rub the sides, as this will produce a “scratchy”
sound.
On the back of the speaker frame, draw lines to indicate the portion of the speaker you plan
to remove. To do this accurately, measure the speaker width against the width of the
available speaker-mount area and then determine the difference. Divide the difference in
half, then measure that length from each edge of the speaker frame and draw two lines
indicating where you will cut.
A Dremel®or another motor tool with an abrasive cutoff wheel will cut the speaker quickly.
Wear safety glasses for this.
Do not cut the speaker coil wire.
Secure the Speaker
Once bodywork is complete and the speaker has been fitted in place, it must be secured tightly
to the enclosure. For the best sound, the seal around the speaker’s edge should be airtight. We
offer several speaker gasket kits for easy and neat speaker mounting. You may also hold the
speaker in place using a silicone RTV to provide a seal and allow the speaker to be removed in
the future. Using epoxy or other hard glues does not allow this. Be careful that you don’t get any
RTV onto the speaker cone, as this will cause sound distortion.
Speaker Gaskets
We recommend using a speaker gasket to secure the speaker into place. We offer six gasket
sizes available in packages of four:
P.N. 810118: 20mm (3/4”) round gaskets for use with speaker P.N. 810053
P.N. 810119: 28mm (1”) round gaskets for use with speaker P.N. 810054
P.N. 810120: 40mm x 20mm gaskets for use with speaker P.N. 810103
P.N. 810121:25mm x 14mm gaskets for use with speaker P.N. 810112
P.N. 810138: 35mm x 16mm gaskets for use with speaker P.N. 810113
P.N. 810139: 40mm x 28.5mm gaskets for use with speaker P.N. 810078

Installation
Econami Installation Guide 19
Installing Speakers with Gaskets
Consider the following as a guide for mounting the speaker with a gasket:
For each side of the gasket, peel back the paper backing with a pair of tweezers or a hobby
knife and expose the adhesive.
Fix the gasket to the speaker, and fix the speaker to the desired surface.
Take care not to fix the gasket to the speaker cone.
Figure 10: SoundTraxx Speaker Gasket Installation

Installation
Econami Installation Guide 20
Step 6. Install and Wire the Decoder
When connecting wires, use the following considerations and this master wiring diagram
(ECO-100 wiring diagram shown) as a guide:
Secure the decoder in place using double-sided foam tape.
Temporarily refit the tender or body shell to ensure there is adequate clearance.
When wiring the decoder, trim all wires to the necessary length. This will prevent wires from
interfering with the drive mechanism and being pinched when closing the body shell.
To ensure long-term reliability, solder all connections and insulate with heat-shrink tubing.
Note: The following diagram serves as a general guide for reference.
Figure 11: Econami wiring diagram reference (ECO-100 diagram shown)