DCC decoder and sound decoder install tutorials

[upnick]

Hi All,

This conversion is for the Kato / Con Cor chassis N scale loco .... a simple one to do as the chassis has three componenets upper block and the bottom half split into two halves with a plastic isolating plate seperating both top/bottom.

The body pops off easily prised either side releasing the battery box, next undo the screwws hoding the chassis together lay them out in the order they are assembled on the loco to allow correct placement later.

The orginal light can be discarded if you choose to replace it with an LED.

Remove the motor and clip the contacts a little shorter ensuring they cannot come into contact with the chassis once reassembled though long enough to solder to ..... line both areas where the contacts sit with thin tape as a precaution (kapton tape is a good source)
Now two grooves for the motor wires need to be cut in the chassis one each side with a slitting disc in a dremel tool, smooth with wet and dry paper ensuring no sharp edges remain there, i always blow out the chassis with an airline to clear out any metal bits from the slitting process.
Mounting the decoder TCS M1 can be done easily on a piece of plasticard toward the rear of the chassis ...... after soldering the motor wires reassemble the loco .... track pick ups next ...... the front red wire soldered up to the contact tab for the original light ... the black wire being trapped between the chassis bottom and isolating plate loosen the screw there just enough to fit the wire in and tighten holding the wire firmly while doing so.

Here are the pictures of the installed decoder .........



The black plastic insulating plate can be seen running the length of the chassis, also the slits cut above the motor for Orange/grey wires.



Opposite side showing the black wire trapped between chassis /plate



Better shot showing the location of the black wire along with the plasticard support attached with a spot of Superglue and thin double sided tape for the decoder.



The chassis moulding on top either side allows a good route for wires though well taped down as the body is a close fit.

Lighting wasnt fitted to this loco when the conversion was done hence the blue/yellow/white wires not wired up .