This units can motor is not in contact with the metal frame, but the pickup wheels on the loco do contact the frame. To install a dcc decoder can one simply detach wires from loco and temder and attach to the decoder without having to insulate the wheels from the frame work? The temder picks up one rail, the loco the other. they are connected by plastic.
Hi there and welcome to the forum! I assume you have a 0-6-0 MDC with a tender. But the same issues apply to a Mantua/Tyco 0-4-0 engine, if that’s what you have.
Yes, you can use the frames to pick up power for DCC. Just make sure that your motor is totally isolated from the frame (check with an Ohmmeter). Be careful with the couplers - metal couplers that have contact with the frame can short with non-insulated couplers on another piece of rolling stock. Always check your converted engine on a programming track first to avoid serious damage.
The real challenge is the reliability of the original power pick-up system. Locos with tenders that pick up power on one-side only tend to stall on switches and dirty track. The MDC 0-6-0 engine pick-ups rely on only two wheels to pick up power on the left side. That is not enough for reliable operations, especially in DCC that is more finicky. One simple solution is to buy trucks with all-wheel pickup (e.g., Athearn caboose trucks), and to install these on the tender. Note: there is a bit of a break-in period required for the Athearn trucks to work properly, in my experience.
Simon
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Thank you for that great responce. Thgat information was exactly what I needed to know.