Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
George and Tom are back from the National Train Show with stories to tell! Tom shows off an Athearn Genesis Santa Fe F7, featuring a Blunami decoder and Mini Cube Speakers. Since this model will run on a DC layout, Tom also shares the custom braking rate he’s using and explains how Blunami gives you many of the benefits of DCC without requiring you to upgrade your entire layout.
The guys also talk about one of the simple but powerful features of the Blunami App: giving each locomotive a unique nickname. It’s an easy way to keep your roster organized and make it even easier to identify your locomotives.
FAQ: Why do my LEDs work before I put the shell on, but stop working after I put it on?
If your lights work during testing but stop working once the locomotive shell is installed, the problem may not be your decoder. George and Tom explain how fragile the wires on some small LEDs can be and how easily they can break during final assembly. They also share best practices to help prevent broken wires and other installation-related problems.
SoundTraxx has an extensive quality-control process before our decoders leave the factory, so many problems encountered during installation are not caused by the decoder. That’s why it’s important to do some basic troubleshooting before sending a decoder in for repair—it may not actually need to be repaired!
Another common installation problem is using the wrong type of flux. Always use electronics-grade flux when soldering to a decoder. Flux designed for other applications, such as some hardware-store or brass-model fluxes, can contain acids or other chemicals that may damage decoder components and eventually cause failures.
George and Tom explain why the right flux matters and discuss the type of flux we recommend for decoder installations, including Chip Quik SMD291.
Related videos:
Blunami App 101: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwWuwya-crVZfW4WVvBteR9qsBSaT3NTb
Don't FORGET to hit that SUBSCRIBE button!
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/SoundTraxxDCC
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/soundtraxxdcc
SoundTraxx Newsletter Sign up for product announcements, deals, and more: soundtraxx.com/newsletter
Shop Now on the SoundTraxx Web Store: soundtraxx.com/products
George and Tom are back from the National Train Show with stories to tell! Tom shows off an Athearn Genesis Santa Fe F7, featuring a Blunami decoder and Mini Cube Speakers. Since this model will run on a DC layout, Tom also shares the custom braking rate he’s using and explains how Blunami gives you many of the benefits of DCC without requiring you to upgrade your entire layout.
The guys also talk about one of the simple but powerful features of the Blunami App: giving each locomotive a unique nickname. It’s an easy way to keep your roster organized and make it even easier to identify your locomotives.
FAQ: Why do my LEDs work before I put the shell on, but stop working after I put it on?
If your lights work during testing but stop working once the locomotive shell is installed, the problem may not be your decoder. George and Tom explain how fragile the wires on some small LEDs can be and how easily they can break during final assembly. They also share best practices to help prevent broken wires and other installation-related problems.
SoundTraxx has an extensive quality-control process before our decoders leave the factory, so many problems encountered during installation are not caused by the decoder. That’s why it’s important to do some basic troubleshooting before sending a decoder in for repair—it may not actually need to be repaired!
Another common installation problem is using the wrong type of flux. Always use electronics-grade flux when soldering to a decoder. Flux designed for other applications, such as some hardware-store or brass-model fluxes, can contain acids or other chemicals that may damage decoder components and eventually cause failures.
George and Tom explain why the right flux matters and discuss the type of flux we recommend for decoder installations, including Chip Quik SMD291.
Related videos:
Blunami App 101: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwWuwya-crVZfW4WVvBteR9qsBSaT3NTb
Don't FORGET to hit that SUBSCRIBE button!
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/SoundTraxxDCC
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/soundtraxxdcc
SoundTraxx Newsletter Sign up for product announcements, deals, and more: soundtraxx.com/newsletter
Shop Now on the SoundTraxx Web Store: soundtraxx.com/products
