I am putting a decoder in my USRA Light 4-8-2, and need to find pin #1 the socket is not numbered.
Easy way when you can not locate the #1 pin marking is to plug in the decoder. You have a 50/50 chance of getting it right.
If guess is wrong, the locomotive will run in the reverse direction of your other locomotives and the headlight will not come on in either running direction. This will not harm the decoder. When this happens unplug the plug, turn 180 degrees and insert the plug. Now pins are in their correct orientation with the 8-pin socket.
pin one is sometimes marked with an arrow, or the shape of the pad on the board will be different (pin one may have a square/triangle pad while the others are round), but sometimes they just are not marked, then like Hunt said you have a 50/50 chance to get it right .
thanks....will try it and it does not work then i will turn it around