DCC into thomas walkthrough

[jettrainfan]

Can anyone walk me through on how to solder a DCC decoder into Thomas? I tried the one train buddy article and it confused the person that originally wanted to do it and I don't want to happen with the second person.

Thanks!

[uncbob]

Can't ask for any better directions than that !!!!!!!!!!!

My Thomas will get the conversion

[r0bert]

That demo is way more complicated than it need be.
The cab roof on Thomas is snap fit as seen in the pics,
press in on the front of the cab, and it will release.
the circuit board is screwed to the underside of the cab roof, remove it,
and you now have 4 wires, two from the wheel pickups,
connect red/black decoder wires,
and two for the motor, orange/grey decoder wires.
With the four connections made, address/test on program track,
tuck the decoder/wires back into cab, reinstall roof, and play!

[uncbob]

Sure sounds even easier

[jward]

it appears that percy would be similar.

[Jim Banner]

That demo is way more complicated than it need be...

Perhaps the author was being paid by the number of pictures.  Or maybe he thought the roof was glued on.

The author also confuses "isolate" (remove all direct electrical connection) with "insulate" (add non-conductive material.)  Remember: isolate the motor before installing a decoder.  After installing a decoder, insulate all connections that are at risk of shorting.

Having said all that, we should still acknowledge that the author spent the time and made the effort to write the article and take the photos, just as we should thank r0bert for pointing out an easier way.

Jim

[r0bert]

The first time I did one, I too, took Thomas completely apart, only to find that it all could be done thru the roof.
I have not done a Percy in a long time, and don't remember for sure if it works the same way.
Gordon and James do require disassembly to get to the board/motor for decoder.

[richg]

Do not depend on the color of the wire used in Thomas, or any Bachmann locomotive, to indicate its purpose. Determine/verify a wire's purpose with multimeter or by sight.

I second the above comment as I have modified some Bachmann steamers and diesels.  My new Spectrum 4-6-0 with Tsunami sound is no different. Different colors than you would expect with DCC.
A $3.98 meter from Harbor Freight is what I have used for sometime to do continuity checks.

Rich

[r0bert]

When removing the board, note that the wire connections are marked
P+, P-, M+, and M-,
write down the colors for each, or when cutting wires from board,
leave a 1/8" or so connected showing insulation colors.