Just out of curiosity, how long does it usually take for an installation service to install decoders and sound into a locomotive, not counting shipping? Any insights here would be helpful. I have some locomotives I am just not comfortable putting decoders into and am considering using professional help.
Obviously it depends on the complexity of the job. I would call & get a few prices. IMHO, you are going to pay more than you want taking into account shipping both ways & insurance.
As far as time is concerned, probably depends on the backlog & again, the complexity.
Most of the DCC install folks will quote you a fixed price. If they have no idea how work it will take they may give you a ‘guestimate’ and charge by the hour…
Jim
When I do them I try to turn them around in about two weeks. Being as my spare time (the time I commit to the workbench) is sometimes limited, I ask my customers to allow a little flexibility. I mostly do N scale locomotives, which can be a little more difficult depending on the vintage of the engine. Usually they pile up into batches, where I’ll do 5 or 6 in a sitting.
Last night I did a Rivarossi N scale Pacific (old school) and it took about an hour… But that’s for me, so I still need to do the lighting and what not.
If you’re interested, there’s information at my website, which is clickable in my sig…
Lee
A lot of this will depend on what kind of engine is being worked on. Overall, though, the time for any shop to do the installation will probably be dominated by how much backlog they have to work through before they get to your job.
If it’s a plug-in decoder to a truly DCC-ready engine, then the decoder installation time, including disassembly, installation, re-assembly and programming can be done easily in under an hour. Add another hour if it must be wired in, and a bit more if you’re swapping incandescent lighting for LEDs. Special lighting like Mars lights or ditch lights will take longer still, but in general it’s not going to take them more than half a day (uninterrupted) to do a decoder installation.
The real question, though, is installing a speaker for sound. If it’s an engine which can be purchased with factory-installed sound for more money, then chances are it will be set up with a speaker mount already, so the job is simple. Most engines, though, not only don’t have a mount for a speaker, they don’t even have room for a speaker. So, it’s the shop’s job to find space. Generally, this is done by removing some of the metal weight from the engine. Planning all of this, removing the weight and then installing a speaker with a baffle box is most likely another day or two.
Steam engines with tenders, by the way, have the advantage of that great big empty box being pulled around right behind the engine. Most big steamers have the speakers, and sometimes the decoder, mounted in the tender. This will involve a bit of extra wiring, but overall it’s an easier job because there’s actually enough room to fit all the components without cutting anything out.
Hopefully, though, your shop is a busy place. I know my LHS is - sometimes I wait 15-20 minutes to buy something, not that I mind, of course. Whether the shop is busy with a backlog of repairs and installations or busy w
I didn’t expect a 2 week turn around. I would be fine with 4. I know shops get busy.
I appreciate all the answers.
The locomotives I am interested in upgrading are versions which could be purchased with sound, but did not come with them (you buy what you can when there are no really decent LHS around). I am less that excited to disassemble expensive locomotives and then try to remember how they go back together.