I just purchased a RTR Athearn F7a and b and was wondering how difficult it would be to convert for DCC.Also, I was wondering if anyone knows if Athearn is planning on making more RTR Santa Fe streamlined coaches.I bought all the other cars,but I need a coach.I have looked everywhere,including ebay everyday!!NOTHING!!One last thing,has anyone used the McHenry #43 short shank scale coupler on F7’s to close couple them and how did it work out??Thanks in advance for any assistance.
I’ve converted 9 Athearn F7’s to DCC and found it relatively easy. The main thing is removing the motor and bending the clips down on the frame and covering them with elec. tape to isolate the motor. I also remove the piece that goes from the top of each truck and solder and hardwire the connection instead.
If you can do a little soldering, the installation is very easy.
Take the motor clips off to solder them, but don’t lose the brushes or springs! The voice of experience!
My suggestion about the McHenrys is to use KDs. Nothing holds up like a KD coupler, and your labor in installing it is of value. I replace them all with KDs now.
As for the Atheran install, as long as it is not an ancient version, it’s not too hard to isolate the motor from the frame, as outlined above. Digitrax does make an Atheran harness, with the leads soldered to the clips, but it is a one size fits all type harness, and as a result it fits the large engines pretty well and with the medium sized engines you have extra wire to deal with. I don’t like much extra wire in a DCC install.
Enjoy
Peter
conford
Conford, do you happen to know which Kadee coupler you used?