Yesterday I bought a large lot of N-Scale from an estate sale and I was wondering how to tell what DCC units to start buying. Is there away to tell who made what loco, they all came lose in boxes. Is there some manufacturing marks that are located on them somewhere? They range from steam to what lookes like SD-40’s and everything in between.
It is possible to install DCC in any N scale locomotive, it just a matter of figuring out how it is wired, and how your going to isolate the motor from the frame. Have fun.
I would use the Digitrax DZ123 or TCS M-2 decoder, because of thier extremely small size, and latest features.
Yes, almost any Loco of any scale can be wired with a decoder. Before you do it though you should make sure it runs well on DC first. DCC is great but it can’t fix mechinicial defects.
Ken
You could look up spookshow for old models. I’d say anything produced in the 70’s by Trix, ConCor, Atlas, RR, or any of the other European mfr’s is too old. You want splt frame/flywheel equipped locos with a 5pole motor. An easier way to do this is to see if the mfr is still in business & you can get parts for it. The new trend is to have body mount couplers, easily converted to MTL by changing the mount. No ugly bucktooth gap in the front frame to fill, if MTL still makes these old conversion kits. It’s no use getting a decoder for a 1980 Atlas/Kato unit.
Also be sure to look up Aztec or that other company that does frame milling, because older N scale locos have the entire space inside filled up with metal and there tends to be no space for even the smallest of DCC decoders. But there is plenty of excess metal that can be cut away to make room for a decoder, at a slight cost to pulling power. You cna probably manage with a Dremel (and if I ppicked up a running loco for $5 at an estate sale, that’s what I’d try, rather than pay the price for a milling service), but for neater results a milling machine is a must. If you’re going to do hundreds of locos, it would pay to buy a small milling machine and learn to use it, if you are only converting a handful, that’s what these companies like Aztec do. Or find a buddy who’s a machinist and can do it for you.
–Randy
Same thing applies in HO scale.
You want the loco to be in the best running condition possible. A unit that is sparking, hesitating, lurching or stalling shouldn’t even be considered for DCC conversion unless you give it a throrough maintenance rebuild or tune up.
Some modelers with older diesel units can repower them with A-line kits or buy the Mashima motor and truck gears, which is what I’ll be doing with my Athearn FP45s. If it’s a unit that’s no longer available new on the market then this is a pretty decent option.
For me personally if it’s a unit I like, I don’t mind spending a few extra dollars to make it right. [;)]
Some may criticize this as putting too much money in a unit, but isn’t it worth it for trouble free operation in DCC or DC? [;)][8D][:D]
10-4!