Disclaimer: These are suggestions only – use at your own risk. I successfully used this series of steps to install decoders in two of these locomotives without damage to the units. Take your time removing shells, it will save you time repairing or replacing parts in the long run. If you are not comfortable disassembling your expensive locomotive, please save yourself a lot of agony send it out to a reputable dealer.
Run time = approximately 15 minutes (your mileage may vary)
Disassembling
1) Remove couplers.
2) Lift shell off frame. Be careful not to pull too far as the lights are wired to the factory circuit board.
3) Remove the DC operations plug from the DCC quick connector.4) Plug in the decoder.
5) Replace shell. Take care to re route the light wires so they don't get pinched as the body is replaced.
6) Test for proper operations.
Re-assembly
1) Replace couplers to secure shell to frame.
2) Test for proper operations.
Other upgrades.1) I replace the factory couplers with Kadee #5's and bronze centering springs. They are drop in replacements.
No comments:
Post a Comment