DCC Drop in seems too easy.

TMC Dec 8, 2022

  1. TMC

    TMC TrainBoard Member

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    I’ve got a DCC digitrax board to drop in to a DCC ready atlas SD24. Every time I’ve dropped a board into a DCC ready locomotive there has always been a need to isolate the motor or contact with the motor with Kapton tape in this case the instructions don’t mention it. Is this really as easy as just removing the old dc board and dropping the digitrax board in? Nothing with electronics seems that straightforward anymore.
    C027B1F7-B3A6-41B8-B2A6-D32DE44666D7.jpeg
     
  2. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, that easy. :)

    But, as a safety measure see if you can slip some Kapton tape around the frame in the area shown. It's a little tricky but with some tweezers shouldn't be a problem. You don't need to disassemble anything to do this.

    The motor contacts are very close to the frame in this area and I always wrap some Kapton there for safety.

    Screenshot 2022-12-08 140452.jpg
     
  3. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks @TMC and @MK . If I ever get my railroad running, I'm going to be looking into easy DCC conversions and would have asked the same question. This is good news.
     
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  4. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Kato locomotives are the easiest decoder to install. No fumbling to get the motor tabs into the slots.
     
  5. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Are you saying you can actually install this decoder without taking anything apart? Or just add the kapton tape without any disassembly?
     
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  6. JBrown

    JBrown TrainBoard Member

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    The newer Atlas/ Intermountain sound locos are very easy. Slide out DC board ,Slide in DCC board..done.
     
  7. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    I'm saying add the Kapton tape without any disassembly.

    For the DCC board, if you are skillful, you can loosen the frame just enough to take the old DC board out and insert the new DCC board. Do it with the trucks on the table so they don't fall off. Some people like to just take the frames apart but that can lead to other potential issues during re-assembly.

    The Kato stuff and newer Atlas stuff, like JBrown said, slides in and out.
     
  8. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Yeah my new ( or they were ) Kato CSX ES44DC's the DCC boards just replace the default DC ones! Easy peasy! I think there is only a headlight on the default DC ones? I have them, just don't remember as I immediately replaced them with the DCC ones I bought.
     
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  9. TMC

    TMC TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the reply’s. I’m getting ready to install, I just want to make sure the Kapton tape that comes on the decoder from the factory gets removed or stays on? It looks like it’s covering two of the pads that need to make contact with the frame to make it work so I’m guessing peel it off. Why would digitrax put Kapton tape on there from the factory? After installing a lok sound decoder on a kato F7 I’m finding it hard to wrap my mind around not having to isolate anything with Kapton tape… Oh and happy new year hope it’s a good one for everyone on here.
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2023
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  10. Burlington Bob

    Burlington Bob TrainBoard Member

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    Digitrax includes a small piece of Kapton tape with each decoder in case the purchaser doesn't have any. It's a cheap way for them to help eliminate a smoked decoder and builds a little goodwill with customers.
     
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  11. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yup! Just peel the tape off the decoder. If you don't need or want to use it to insulate the board and motor pickups from the frame...the trash can is right next to your workbench. :D:):LOL::coffee:
     
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  12. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Now I understand why my brand new P42 Digitrax decoder had Kapton tape on top of it. I had no idea, that was why! I don't remember them explaining that in the instructions? Of course I have an entire roll that will last 100 years at least :)
     
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  13. TMC

    TMC TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you for all the advice. I dropped the decoder in and my atlas SD24 is running fast and quiet. I’m currently just breaking it in at our club but it’s running great. Thanks again.
     
  14. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Most Digitrax's decoder manuals mentions the use of using the Kapton tape. Here's the PDF for the decoder for the P42. Search for "Kapton". There are 5 mentions of it. :)

    https://www.digitrax.com/media/apps/products/mobile-decoders/dn163k0a/documents/DN163K0A.pdf
     
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  15. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    That I know, but even I did not know at first why the Kapton tape was on the top of the decoder. I don't think they mention that is supposed to be used by the consumer :) MY first NEW Digitrax decoder was for the P42. Now I know If/when I get another Digitrax decoder. I actually thought at first it was suppose to stay on the top of the decoder? Not sure a complete newbie to DCC would understand that exactly? Then again, most people are smarter then me, including newbies. I almost asked here if I should remove it :)

    I told you I wasn't as smart, in manual, apply Kapton tape, ( Supplied with Digitrax Decoder ) I stand corrected, my bad!
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2023
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  16. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    My Atlas B23-7 turned out to be anything but a drop in even though it should be. It's scrap now.
     
  17. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    The whole unit was trashed, or just the DCC board?
     
  18. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    20230101_140047.jpg

    I seriously spent many hours on this unit the last 3 days. Had no intention of doing more than maybe loosening the screws to get the board to slide out and in but I'm so frustrated, all I will say is I tried and tried but it just won't go back together again. It went in a drawer this morning and I'll revisit it at some point in the future and I can tell you, it won't be any time soon. Moving on
     
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  19. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    If that is like my Atlas U25B's they are a pain to put back together. There is a round plastic piece that's almost impossible to get in the correct spot to reassemble? If the B23-7 is like the U25B's?
     
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  20. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Put it away and revisit it later in the year. You'll eventually have an aha! moment.

    I've done one B23 and two U25s using Digitrax decoders without any issues.
     
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