I have a Bachmann Spectrum locomotive not DCC ready. I have an MRC decoder that I want to install in it. The frame conducts the electricity from the trucks to the motor. I know I have to insulate the motor from the frame. Both trucks pick up from the track. How do I get the leads to the decoder to pick up the signal from the track? Do I have to run wires from both trucks? Do/can I solder the wires directly to the frame? Could I drill and tap a hole in the frame to add a screw to the lead wires?
I’m assuming that this loco has a split frame… If it doesn’t, then this probably wont help (sorry)
Isolate the motor - depending on how it’s currently wired, this might be as simple as un-soldering the wires leading to the motor from whevever they attach to the frame (I mean… unsolder them from the motor terminals, not from the frame). If that isolates the motor (check it on a DC track, it shouldn’t work anymore), then just solder the power leads on the decoder to the two wires that were attached to the motor. solder the two motor leads from the decoder to the motor, and then wire in the lights (make sure that they are also not attached to the frame.
Hi guys, its Bachmann’s HO FM H16-14 Virginian and the leads off the motor are blade type that rest against the frame where the motor mounts. See pictures bellow.
you can see the tab for the motor lead between the flywheel and the motor can.
There used to be a wonderful webpage out there with photos describing one person’s successful installation of a decoder in a B’man Trainmaster, but it’s gone now.
Those instructions will work great since the GP30 is built exactly the same way. Heck might even BE the same chassis.
Note that to solder the wires to the frameyou will have to file off a coupel of spots to remove the black paint/blackening at the solderign points. And for ‘electrical tape’ I recommend getting some kapton tape, it’s thinner, stronger, and less messy than black electrical tape. The thicker electrical tape might cause problems trying to fit it all back together.
