Risks of Decoder Installations

[T-95]

Just curious, how likely is it that someone will ruin a loco by taking it apart in an attempt to install a decoder??? Excuse me if it seems like a stupid question.

[Jake]

Assuming you are talking about hard wiring a decoder, It depends on whether they know what they are doing. If someone whos never done it before, and doesn't even know what has to be done, chances are they WILL mess up the engine. If someone whos done it a million times, or has never done it before but knows what must be done does it, chances are everything will be fine.

[r.cprmier]

How are you going to mess up?  By trying to do something you are not knowledgeable of.  Electricity is, for the most part, logical; but you still need to be acquainted with how it works, and what you have in front of you to work on.  Simple solution?  If you do not know about it, take the time to learn about it and achieve a level of competence before you louse it up by attacking it with just a gleam in your eye... 

[filmtrain]

It depends on the decoder.  I am not interested in wiring my trains so I buy Digitraxx plug and play decoders.  If the train is DCC Ready, you simply snap out the existing board that is attached to the plug and snap your new decoder in.  I have done three in the last few weeks.  The hard part is getting the shell back on.

[SteamGene]

One key - steam or diesel? 
Gene

[Yampa Bob]

Don't ever feel that your questions are "stupid".  This is how you learn. We all started out asking these same questions. 

There is some very good information available at the following site, including downloadable PDF files which show actual installations.  As Rich mentioned, it's not rocket science, you just need to learn the step by step procedures.   

http://www.tonystrains.com

Bob

[jsmvmd]

Dear T,

On this forum there are very knowledgeable and friendly folks. While not conversant with DCC, I have taken a bunch of stuff apart, fixed it and gotten it to work. If you read a bit before hand and ask some questions, you should be OK. Too, it took me a while to get the courage to do stuff.  As in life, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Howse about asking an expert at your local club for some help, or your LHS? You can do it!

Good luck and Best Wishes!

Jack

[richG]

Just curious, how likely is it that someone will ruin a loco by taking it apart in an attempt to install a decoder??? Excuse me if it seems like a stupid question.

Since the question seems to be about the loco only, I doubt you will ruin the loco by taking it apart but putting it back together might be an issue. Make notes and drawings for reference. In older locos, one electrical connections has to be isolated from the frame of the engine.
You will need mechanical and electrical skills or at least try to develop them.

I would strongly suggest searching the 'Net using Google or Yahoo search pages. As an example, search for dcc install. Maybe diesel dcc install or steam loco dcc install. Search for soldering suggestions.

There is a ton of info on the 'Net. Look at this as going into a huge library. There are many model railroad forums but you can also find a lot of answers on the 'Net while waiting for an answer from the forum of choice. Many times the answer is found in a different forum.

Build up a Favorites folder for trains. I have maybe one hundred 'Net URLs for trains from various searches. Much of the info can be stored on the hard drive of your computer.

Rich

[T-95]

Thanks for the feedback folks, and Gene, its the Thomas stuff that im considering to modify. I asked because a couple of years ago I ruined 2 engines in an attempt to separate the shell, chassis, pickups, etc.

[grumpy]

You do not take apart a loco with a hammer and a screw driver. Read a little learn a lot.
Don

[richG]

Thanks for the feedback folks, and Gene, its the Thomas stuff that im considering to modify. I asked because a couple of years ago I ruined 2 engines in an attempt to separate the shell, chassis, pickups, etc.

Since it is the Thomas stuff, there are two diagrams available, Spencer and Toby. Not much.
Click on Product Reference then Diagrams. There is also a Thomas forum right near the HO forum.
Sometimes screws and tabs are hidden. I know the HO Spectrum 4-4-0 Richmond has two screws for removing the tender shell. The screws are hidden under the tender wheels. A couple people in another train forum asked because they had no clue on how to remove the cover.
Remember, ask first if it is not obvious.

Rich

[Yampa Bob]

Don
Now you tell me.    I was about to take a sledge hammer to a GP40, as the diagram didn't show the two screws holding the shell on, they were hidden under the fuel tank.

They should have brief instructions on the diagram, like: "Pull off the fuel tank, remove the 2 screws and lift off the shell".  Very poor documentation. 

Bob

[T-95]

NO! I didnt destroy Thomas and Percy with a sledge hammer (I did that to an EZ track turnout and with some pliers ) I kinda snapped the shells off while they were still attached to the chassis by ONE screw. (Curse you to hell!) I wished they came with instructions (ie. Remove this screw, push that button, etc.)