I have a Spectrum K4 that I purchased in the mid 90’s. How difficult would it be to add a decoder to this loco?
Check the documentation that came with the locomotive. If it says the engine is “DCC Ready” then there is a decoder socket inside the tender and installing a decoder is simply a matter of opening up the tender and plugging in the decoder. If it is not DCC Ready, then decoder installation is going to require disassembly and soldering, which is something that you should not attempt on your own unless you have expereince with similar installations.
so thats what “dcc ready” means! i THOUGHT IT CAME WITH A DECODER INSTALLED! [:(]
I guess if I wanted sound in my K4s I’d have to buy one!
Depends on your skills. It is not difficult if you are comfortable soldering, and have a multimeter.
If you are not, and do not have one, you will spend about the same as purchasing a new BLI K4 model with sound, as you would have to pay for some one else to install a DCC sound system in an older Spectrum K4.
Typically figure about $50 labor for a DCC decoder install and $75 to $100 labor for a DCC sound install. Plus the decoder, and speaker(s). Some will do it for less - but they are loosing money doing it, so will not be around for long.