The upgarde is done. Hope to post some pics later. I want to send them to Jon first since he helped in trying to solve the antenna issue. I have been waiting on a tether but actually found some connectors in my workshop of the same type so I went ahead and used them. The only thing at this point I need to do is add a regulator to the tender to keep the whistle from over reving.
If you are even thinking about doing this upgrade go for it. IMO it was very simple, well though out and worth it. No difficult tach strips or readers. If I have one disappointment it’s that I couldn’t solve the tether issue but I’m going to keep trying things. ANother very satisfied custimer. Looking forward to doing some more engines especially is an AC motor version comes out.
Now the Polar Express will have some life after Christmas visiting all the young children in Kodiak Junction.
Great job Marty!! Sounds like you really nailed it. I too am a very satisfied customer of Electric RR, I have had a couple of conversations with Jon, and found him more than helpful. I have installed the BEEP command system with sound in two Beeps and they work great. Also installed the TMCC portion in a Speeder no problem EASY to do. Guess I need to do the Polar Express, that will be great.
Here are a few pics of the install. Please note that I did try an antenna install on the engine without success.
Here is the finished engine before the shell was put back on. Please note the tether connector is only a 3 position. Jon sends a 4 position. He was confident that I would solve the handrail antenna issue so he left the tether connector out of my kit. I had one in my stack of stuff. The 4th position on the tether is a spare or coilcoupler which the manual says is hard to install on the PE.
Side view.
Tender part of the install. The antenna, a common, and the whistle trigger go here.
Last one. This is the engine with the board installed before any wiring was done. As you can see this is the only board. No tach strips and no sensor boards.
Once again this is a great addition to the PE and went in very easy. It took me 3 days only because of trying to work around an antenna solution. Without that it would have taken me approx. 2 hours. The directions are very clear and the board works great. The PE creeps up the hills and has all the functions of TMCC. Thanks Jon…Great Product!
