#30 How-to: Using a 21-pin decoder in a locomotive with an 8-pin socket

A short tutorial outlining one approach for making a custom 21-pin to 8-pin harness to enable the use of a 21-pin decoder in an 8-pin locomotive chassis.

You can find a wiring diagram/schematic for the MTC 21-pin breakout board here: https://tinyurl.com/21pin-to-8pin-ada...

Note: by its very nature, an 8-pin plug will not enable all functions of a 21-pin decoder to be used. This is unlikely to be an issue in most cases as 8-pin chassis tend to have few function connections.

If used with a sound decoder, separate wires will need to be soldered to the adaptor for the speaker connections. Alternatively, in some cases, speaker wires can be soldered directly to the chip.

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Items required for this project are:

MTC 21-pin breakout board (e.g. Laisdcc or ESU)
8-pin plug (pre-wired, if possible)
Reel of decoder wire (for non-wired plugs)
Soldering iron, solder & liquid flux
Kapton tape or insulation tape
Various tools, including: small side cutters, wire stripper and an exacto knife.

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Please note: If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility.