Anyone have a Bachmann Thomas and and convert it to DCC? I got a Thomas and a Percey and can’t figure out how to get 'em apart or if they can be DCCed (if that’s a word).
J.P.
Bachmann has some assembly drawings available on their website. Try that.
JP,
I’ve added a decoder to the Bachman Thomas. I did a Google search for Thomas and DCC and found an article on how one gentleman added a decoder. This is a custom installation that requires soldering and replacing wires. I managed to fit a Digitrax DZ-123 into the top of Thomas. The top of the cab at the back of the engine comes off and screws on the underside of the locomotive allow you to take it apart.
I also added quite a bit of weight to the engine to make it track better since DCC requires a more constant electrical feed.
If you’ve hardwired a decoder before, it isn’t very hard to do but I would not recommend it as a first time install.
Scott
All of the Bachman Thomas locos can be converted to DCC. On the tank engines, such as Thomas and Percy, it is best to use an N or Z scale decoder. Interestingly enough, Percy has more room for a decoder than Thomas, I believe I put a DZ123 in Percy and an N scale decoder in Thomas. The tender engines are no problem, as every thing will fit into the tender (sometimes with modifications to the tender, depending upon which decoder you install) including sound decoders and speakers.
The good news the motors. They are Spectrum motors (not worth opening a new production line for a second motor) and come electrically isolated from the frame. The bad news. Remember these locos are for children and therfore must meet “child proof” requirements for sale in the US. This means they, by requirement, have no small parts that can come off (read little detail) no open windows and any skrews must be recessed. All this means they are difficult to disassemble. Also, the color of wires used in the loco is often exactly opposite of the standard colors on a decoder and can be a bit confusing. Also the electrical pick-up contacts are very easily bent. Care must be taken when disassembling and reassembling to make sure you have good contact with the wheels. Oh, you can disgard the small printed circuit board in the loco. As mentioned, you will be hard wiring the decoder into the loco and sometimes (such as Henry) it is best to drill a hole in the frame to better route the engine wires to the rear of the loco to connect with the decoder wires coming from the tender.
Yes, you will have to solder but otherwise the installations are pretty straight forward. The extra weight is also a good idea, although there isn’t much room in the smaller locos.
Good luck.
Tilden
Good stuff guys thanks!