My current layout is DC and I operate a Bachmann J Class 4-8-4 without any problems, however, I have been doing some research on DCC and I plan to make my next layout DCC equipped. I am confused on how I will wire the decoder for the locomotive once I decide to make the change. If anyone is familiar with how the locomotive is wired currently you may understand my dillema. All the locomotives I have seen in DCC books/internet/etc have wires from the pick up trucks that get soldered to the decoder. However, on my current locomotive, the motor is sandwhiched between two electrified pieces of metal that also work as weight. Wires are slim to none inside this locomotive.
Any thoughts? Or have I completely confused everyone in the description of what I was trying to say? Thanks
I’m not sure if your locomotive is the original Bachmann J with the “pancake” motor or the “Bachmann Plus” which has a can motor. Your best solution may be to get one of the Bachmann Spectrum J’s, which have a DCC plug connection in the tender. I think they are also available with a built in decoder. They are often available for a good discount on e-bay or from on-line retailers.
I am planning on getting the 611 with the built in decoder/decoder plug, however, I want to continue to keep using my current locomotive in the future. It is not one of the Spectrum locos.
I’ll upload a picture sometime when I can to help aid in the confusion.
The hardest part is isolating the motor from the frame. I did this on a friends +J by taking the loco apart, placing some electrical tape on the frame where the motor pickups touch both side of the frame, and making sure the brushes didn’t contact the frame as well. I then installed the decoder by soldering the motor wires to the pickups, and then drilling a small hole into each the bottom of the frame to insert the decoder pickup wires to, this insures there is no interference reinserting the frame back into the boiler. The wires were secured by small self-tapping screws to prevent them from falling out. A new head light was run to the front of the loco by running the wires between the frame halves.
The loco runs real well and the friend was very pleased.
I figured someone would know what I was talking about if I described it fully enough. I figured it could be done but I was unsure as to how it would be done. I shall keep what you have done in mind when it comes time to re-wire my loco to DCC. It took me a while to understand how the electrical pickup worked and what have you inside that loco because it is so simplistically done.
I appreciate the comments and the help with my sitcheation.