I have a brass boxcab for my Shorty. I'm searching to see if anyone has installed MTL couplers on a shorty. Or if anyone has installed a decoder in a Shorty. I also need to paint the trucks and exposed parts black but it looks like the wheels can be removed to do that easily enough.
OK, I can answer the coupler question already. On Walter Smiths Shapeways store he said: "if wanting to couple up with MTL couplers use the Rokuhan Knuckle couplers they just push in on the shorty chassis" A google search found the part and a Rokuhan video of the process on Z Scale Hobo's website. But short or long?
For the decoder install I see two motor wires at the top of the Shorty chassis. It should be easy enough to cut them, scrape away the coating and solder the decoder wires to them. That will get motion. For lighting can I simply solder LED's to the decoder or do I have to add a resistor to one leg of the LED? or does that depend on the LED? I'll want a yellow light for this, just one headlight on for each direction.
You will need to add resistors If using LED's As I remember there are 2 sets of wires in the shorty 2 wires from the Power truck to the board then 2 wires from the board to the motor So make sure are cutting and connecting to the correct wires. I always remove all wires connected to the motor and solder the new decoder wires directly to the motor tab /wires and insulate. Cutting and connecting to the wrong wire will usually fry the decoder the instant you power it on. I learned about this the expensive way.
What decoder are you using? Normally, yes, a resistor. 10K 1/8w is good. I suppose you are using a red/black pre-wire LED. The Red goes to the Blue (+) and black to the White or Yellow. Doesn’t matter which end of the LED (it’s all in series).
I use this concept, it is made for powermax, works also for shorty, lower speed and light on both directions Regards Gerhard
I have Evans Designs Pico LED's 5-12V. They are pre made one piece so I don't know the specs but I'm guessing the resistor that is prewired is correct (or close enough) and I can simply move it and safely connect it to the decoder. I'll test it all before installing.
I see this an older thread, but found this on YouTube So it shows there is a chip under the motor which might be an easier access for FCC If anyone has added dcc to a shorty I'd appreciate any tips or caveats Phil
