Mel, did you cut out that rectangular opening in the front of the tender? What tools work well for that?
I normally start out with drilling several small holes in the shells then using a #11 blade enlarging then shaping the hole to fit the connector.
I don’t normally put the connector in the tender, can’t remember why I did it that way on my 0-6-0s, not that it makes much difference. It was probably easier than making a mount for the 0-6-0 to hold the connector. The first 0-6-0 was done about 20 years ago, my Mel memory banks are kinda spotty at 20 years.
I went with the standard NMRA 8 pin connector so that it is easier to test everything without taking it apart.
I made me a Mel DCC test box for testing decoders and locomotives and tenders.
With it I can check all 8 wires to make sure everything is connected and working correctly.
Here is a link to my blog page on my tester.
https://melvineperry.blogspot.com/2014/09/september-17-2014-dcc-test-box.html
I can easily test all DCC functions using my DCC Tester by simply plugging it into any locomotive, from small to huge.
This is my normal way of mounting my DCC connectors. I have 30 steam locomotives all wired to the 8 pin NMRA connectors. I only have two DCC decoders (20 SP Articulated locomotives) with the SP articulated sound and they are <
you may be interested in Lenz Decoder install in a Mantua 0-4-0 Switcher Engine and i’m told RMC June 2021 had a related article
So glad you posted this. I have a Mantua/Tyco steam loco that needs a new motor. This wonderful group made suggestions and I purchased a motor kit. I never finished the project. Looking at your post, I’m considering changing the tender trucks to the same as you, I have a sound decoder ready to go and need to look at Mel’s great wiring. The last remotored/DCC install I did on a steam loco, I hard wired and it is not the best job, need to refit that with connectors also.
Keep us updated as you go.
I’ve been converting Mantua to can motors from china. Also bought worm gears to fit the Chinese motor shaft, mate up pretty good with Mantua axle gear.
Some of these open frame Mantua motors seem to use a “rivet” to hold the old magnet in place. Any suggestions for how to get the magnet out so I can replace with “super” magnets"?
Be careful, the frame can crack easily. It is brittle steel to help magnet flux travel.
Hi Greg,
I wrote that step by step eight years ago in MRH. In the July-Ocotber 2014 RMC I did an upgrae by putting wipers on a Mantua 0-6-0. Bill’s article is more on detailing the engine than upgrading it mechanically.
Bernd
That motor looks quite old… not sure how you can remove the maģnet without drilling out the rivet. You might be able to replace the rivet with a long screw. I would change the motor.
Simon