Well just got my MT SW1500 yesterday, OK model, handrails not painted white, rear headlight package is a dummy, not lit and does not have clear lenses, just grey plastic. Runs really well on DC, like a Life Like SW(X). Flexcoil trucks look good, open gearboxes on trucks just like Life LIke. Noticed when I put it on track, the front coupler height was a bit too high (?) Yes this is a MT product so I assume the coupler height would be dead on. The front coupler was too tight, the coupler would not center without a flick of the finger.... Anyway tried to instal a Digitrax DN126M2 decoder. Tested decoder prior to install, readback "3" took a new Address (2510) took a factory reset back to a road number of 3. Now be advised I have hardwired Digitrax decoders in 3 LL SW(X) switchers before and I would say for me it was a difficulty level of about 7 on a 1-10 scale, but a 3 went very well and still run great to this day.. MT and Digitrax provide shell removal and Decoder install instructions, and it seemd like an easy install. Shell off, pull wires off DC board, pull DC board Put DCC board in put 2 wires in DCC board, shell on, test, enjoy. Wrong. When the insert DCC board step hit, the Digitrax board has thick solder on the top contact pads. (which would be nice in other of their DCC Boards), but in this application combined with the crude Chassis casting made shoving the board in a difficult matter. Now mind you I am following the directions but I had to apply alot of pressure to get that board in. Anyway attach 2 wires put shell on put on Programming track, no Address 3 read... no response from decoder. OK. Remember that this model will not operate without the shell being on since the contacts from the trucks to the frame live on the shell... Take shell off fiddle with board, put shell on try to program roadnumber 2510 in. Nothing. More fiddling with wires to board, board placement, check for shorts with continuity meter, etc. Hook up leads to chassis without shell to programming track, decoder works fine, program roadnumber, reads back etc. Put shell on, will not work. 45 min of fiddling with shell, decoder wires contacts, etc. Finally get unit to run on regular track with shell on- cool. Problem- one truck not making contact with worm gear, so unit is not turning all 8 wheels. More fiddling, motor had became slightly dislodged during fiddling. I notice that when motor properly seated, flywheel for rear truck is about .25mm from rubbing on one frame side more than double on other side. Anyway put on track will not run with shell on, more fiddling 1 1/2 hours so far. Get an Address readout on programming track, with shell, cool. Put on main track BZZZZZZZ sound of a DCC short. Pull off track in less than 1/4 of a second, too late WAH WAH game over. Sending decoder back to Digitrax. Unit works fine with DC Board. If new decoder doesn't work, will have a DC SP SW1500 for sale in a few weeks I will keep you advised. Hey Manufacturers hows about just using freaking NEM decoders in everything, My Fox Valley ES4400 DCC conversion took about 45 seconds. Jeeez plus remember the MT SW1500 is $135.00 MSRP and you are just getting the Life Like POS chassis (POS in terms of DCC conversion) DC it is fine. I dont think the Digitrax decoder is at fault, I assume with the shell on the shell is contacting the decoder and causing some problem I cant figure it out. One disclaimer, I have hard wired Decoders in at least 85 n scale locomotives including The atlas shay RS3's kato mikado, n scale brass etc, I am not an expert, but I am DCC battle hardened.
If you still have your Digitrax DCC board could you measure how wide it is were it plugs into the chassis. I get .392 ths for the Life Like light board, I'm wondering if the Digitrax board is to wide?
Good idea, but my decoder is in the trusty hands of the USPS, I will measure and compare with the MT board, which is totally different from the LL DC board....
Yes, I was referring to the light board that is installed in the chassis that's in the MT SW1500. Not sure what to call it, Life like, Micro Trains, or Walthers?
I don't like to be cynical, but I am calling it 'For $135.00 MSRP, we deserve a brand new modern chassis and mechanism SW1500'...
Received my replacement decoders back from Digitrax. They are different than the original boards, contact area a little narrower, and solder only on the top of the board. The solder is still way to thick, Digitrax decoder =.030, light board = .022. FILE! I removed the black tape around the motor and cut the motor contacts off close to the motor brushes. Solder regular decoder wires on them and run the bottom wire up beside the flywheel. A little goo to keep it from touching the flywheel. In doing this there isn't a need for any tape on the motor. I also super glued a piece of .015 thick plastic to the inside of one chassis piece were the fuel tank goes. This will keep the bottom of the chassis apart, so there no chance of shorting. I cleaned up the chassis, making sure all the flash was removed. Cut two short pieces of the original motor wires and bent them 90 degrees. Solder the motor wires to them, inserted them into the decoder. Applied a small piece of tape under the decoder and installed the body. This one runs great, nice and quiet, a little jerky at real slow speeds but should get a little better with a couple hours of running.
Got My repaired Decoder back from Digitrax, what service!¤ 6 day turnaround.¤ The sad thing was it had nothing to do with the decoder, barring the thick solder pads on the red/black decoder pickups, the decoder is flawless.¤ I would have to say this is the most¤ ridiculous "DCC Ready" decoder installs I have ever done.¤ As I said in previous threads, I have hard wired 3 Life Like SW switchers, which are basically the same as this.¤ Putting the new decoder in and testing the unit¤ without the shell (using jumpers to the frame since the silly shell mounted contacts preclude testing this loco with the shell off on a programming track), the unit read back loco road number 3, programmed to 2510, took a decoder reset (value 8 to CV8) and a re address no problem..¤ Put the shell on and it is dead, will not read back address.¤ Too afraid to put on mainline for fear of another frying.¤ To make this short, the crap black electrical tape that they use to isolate the motor pick ups from the frame is a sticky mess.¤ I re did the whole thing with Kapton tape.¤ Guess what- shell back on, no go.¤ Finally after testing the driveline while squeezing the frame slightly noticed that the poles of the motor would contact the frame.¤ I filed the frame around the openings for the poles and finally that solved the problem.¤ Of course, taking the shell off about 20 times tore one of the contacts off.¤ I would suggest copious amounts of ACC to re secure the contacts to the shell, trust me this will work, just make sure the ACC is all dry prior to handling or re assembly.¤ Or hard wiring the truck pick ups to the frame or DCC decoder.¤ One smoke stack fell off.¤ Couplers do not swing freely, must do a bit of filing, wheels not in gauge, had to file front and rear pilot since they were striking track at slight grade changes.¤ Need to paint handrails white.¤ But you know the thing does run really well.¤ FINALLY!
