I just bought the lifelike fa1/fb1 n scale engines from my local hobby shop. They rungreat! especialy up my steep 3% grades. The one question I have is where can I find a good resource to show me how to change these to DCC. I plan on installing dz123 in both. they are split body and I have no experience working with them and DCC controllers. please help!
You mean like this?
but can it be done without buying a new frame? the website you sent requires I buy a new Trackmaster frame.
If I’m not mistaken, Aztec frames are simply stock frames that have been modified. On the FA/B’s from Life Like (both 1’s and 2’s), there is a piece of the metal frame on the back top that covers the gears. If you use a hacksaw and carefully cut about the top 2/3’s of that off, file it smooth and you will have a “shelf” where a dz123 will fit.
Southern Digital frames are actually redesigned frames that use a pewter alloy instead of the stock zinc. They are heavier than the stock frames in most cases.
These are not extremely difficult to convert, but be careful not to lose the motor brushes or springs in the process.