Comments on: Can I Install Decoders in My Old Locomotives Without Problems?

By: Colin

Colin — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 10:51:47 +0000

In reply to Robert Williams. Shrink wrap should be available at your local electronic hardware shop, one that supplies small wires and cable, transistors, resistors and the like. Electrical wholesalers may also stock it bur usually only for the larger sizes. Manufacturers are HellerMann, try googling Heatshrink and you should get to a local supplier. If you are near Johannesburg then go to GT Electronics in the Towers Building next to the East Rand Mall.

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 21:08:29 +0000

Hi, I have attempted to convert a 1980s Hornby HST to DCC. I have wired in brand new a Bachman Railcom basic decoder and checked the Motor is inulated from the chassis. I put it on my brand new Dynamis Ultima set, and the decoder is not recognised. On the programming track, the loco will move slighly fwd and back, but then report a read/write error. Im a little lost, espcially as I can’t rule out dynamis, loco or encoder individually. Im getting 16volts to the decoder harness, but no encoder activity. Has anyone ideas, where i should start investigating?

By: joe strawn

joe strawn — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 02:35:14 +0000

you asked were to get heat shrink you can get it at any supply of elect. coponets are radio shack

By: Robert Williams

Robert Williams — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 01:41:10 +0000

In reply to Colin T-Tremaine.

Mr. Colin,
Where do you buy 1mm shrink wrap?

Bob Williams

By: steve

steve — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 00:19:39 +0000

note make sure you check the amp draw at stall before you put decoders in most wont draw more then a 1 amp if you use n scale and you motor draws 1 amp it will fry the chip on old blue box units most n scale decoders only rated at 3/4 amp this is why use ho only now i have used n scale in ho in some small switchers but stall amps was low on them due to can motors and newer units. most newer one use can motors pull less amps and you can mu more of them without overloading you dcc system. not that i have any amp shortage have 20 amp to work with.

By: steve

steve — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 00:04:51 +0000

yes you can . i have just done a brass u50 and it has two motors in it its motors are mounted to the frame of the unit but its not the whole motor you have to isolate its the motor brushes. that feed the motor coils. the body of the motor is just a magnet . on old blue box units you just have to insulate the lower motor clip that picks up dc power from the frame of the unit and disconnect the upper clip. also learn something about led or lamps to replace the ones in the unit.i have done alot of units from bluebox to kato and more even put decoders in dummys with sound and bult some sound cars even a tank car with sound in it .all dcc

By: Ron Hebb

Ron Hebb — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 21:38:59 +0000

The age of the locomotive usually doesn’t factor into whether it can be converted to DCC, but older locos usually don’t have the motor isolated from the frame, so that needs to be done beforehand. On most diesel models that isn’t difficult to do, it’s a bit more complicated with steam engines. I have some locomotives that are more than 40 years old that I’ve converted to DCC, and usually the biggest challenge is finding room inside the shell for the decoder and wires.

A good resource is the Train Control Systems website, which illustrates many dozens of step-by-step installations in all manner of locomotives, some of which are very old. Granted, the installations are for TCS decoders, but the same procedures can be used for any manufacturer’s decoders.

By: Don Karol

Don Karol — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 17:40:05 +0000

I read the comments and their all good information, but I don’t recall anything about having to alter the chassis or bodies to accommodate the decoder, I have found that in some cases it is necessary in order to fit the decoder (Love that Dermel } . Also N scale decoders work well with Ho locos

By: Newman Atkinson

Newman Atkinson — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 14:03:05 +0000

Go for it Install those Dcc Chips. If they are a cheap engine they still perform as well but under better control than old DC. Eliminate the grounded motors on the frame and disconnect the grounded head light on old Athearn engines. You want everything to go through the DCC Chip first with power and then out and back to the motors lights and speakers. No shortcuts back to the frame for grounds As everyone says isolate those motors and lights and DCC will work on all of them. Kato engines will need some rewiring as some of them have the motors in the trucks. Once going the the speeds can be adjusted with the CV’s (not always adjustable to match other brands but will come close. I am getting ready to install DCC in Thomas the Tank engine and instead of a slow being fast in DC I will be able to make him creep and actually see his eyes move without them blurring. Cheep engines will still work no better than they did on DC but you will have better control. Yes go for it. from Newman

By: Don

Don — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 11:51:56 +0000

All the advice is good, you can’t go wrong. If you have limited space for a decoder I can recommend the new range from Zen decoders. They are very small, have back EMF and stay alive and are very reasonably priced.

By: James Duffy

James Duffy — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 11:10:12 +0000

The answer is generally, “Yes,” but it might not be easy. You will need to change the motor and completely isolate it electronically from the frame. You will also need to find room for the controller and any other functions, such as sound and lighting, you are planning to add. I routinely convert Varney Docksides to DCC with sound and lighting, but it is a very tedious task because there is not a lot of room to play with. Northwest Short Line and Daniel Bush (Yardbird Trains) both sell motors and accessories that can be used. When done well, the results are quite impressive. I had a converted Dockside at a show recently, and people were very interested in watching and hearing it chug around the layout. Some people were initially very skeptical that it could be done, but the proof was right there in front of them. Give it a try. If you do a good job, you will find the result very satisfying.

By: Juergen Hesels

Juergen Hesels — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 07:42:43 +0000

Hi Ian
The answers above all contain very good tips that I follow as well and I have converted many locos including some brass. As such yes each one is unique and becomes unique depending if you want just that the model runs or add lighting or graduate to sound installation. On sound space is the biggest challenge.
What has not been mentioned here is that in the community I saw that there are also people who operate Märklin AC units. Märklin has a different then DCC color coding system, needs to get the electromechanical directional switch removed and requires to change the motor coil with a permanent magnet.
also there are some DC locomotives in the early days of the Fleischmann production that require a special treatment to the Motor shield to make the motor DCC ready. So here I would recommend to ask a specialist for help or also Google that.
Being part of a train club opens many doors to knowledge on the project you are embarking on.
My conclusion would be 100% of all engines can be converted but some are so difficult or non spacious that it is almost not worth the effort.