How difficult is it to convert the Lifelike newer split frame FA/B 1's to DCC? I have 12 of them [3 ABBA's].
Probably a minor and straightforward removal of some of the frame to fit a hard-wired decoder like a TCS M1. I can't recall how the front light is connected in the A unit, though probably a slip in board. You can connect the decoder to the board once the tracks connecting the frame halves to the light have been cut.
I've done eight of them (two ABBAs). You have to remove enough material from the A units to fit a decoder under the shell. I think I still had to grind a bit on the B units, where the decoder goes into the space normally taken by the nose. You have to disassemble the mechanism completely and perhaps do a little grinding to make clearance and insulation for the motor brushes. I had to route small channels down the side of the frame for various wires. The first one took me forever. In succeeding ones I got it down to about 25-30 minutes. The good thing is that all the LL late-generation diesels are about the same, so once you do one, the next is easier. That includes Erie-builts, FM C-liners, GP-20s, and PAs, and perhaps others.
I take it then there is no drop in replacement decoders for the light boards as in the Atlas and Kato's? Has anyone tried these drop in light board replacement decoders of An Atlas or Kato? If so what do you think of them?
Nope, because the power is not routed through the light board to the motor, this won't work on these.
I have a few to do myself, but haven't yet. I did do a couple E-8s and a DL-109 from Lifelike, and they are very similar I think in chassis design (assuming my memory is serving). One of them I did an experiment installation by putting the decoder in the fuel tank area after cutting some of that area from the chassis. It went fairly smooth, and that unit is one of my regular runners. The write up is somewhere on the board. I will see if I can find it..
Here is the thread where I installed a decoder in a LL DL-109 which is similar to the installation of any of the LL split frame units. Decoder install - TrainBoard.com
I just looked through TCS's website. They apparently have no recommendations for DCC installation in this quite popular locomotive. All they show is the old plastic framed FA-2. Which is a whole other animal. Strange. Frank
