put a decoder in hobbytown of boston gp chassis, tyco gp-20 shell

[nyc4me]

put in a NCE D13SRJ. don't know why, just wanted to run it on dcc. original pitmann motor. slight purring sound but the standard gear noises drown that out. the brush springs were tuned a long time ago for minimum contact but not too light. glued the motor onto the frame with rtv.  put plastic plug over the rear truck to hold it to the frame because originally the screw there went right into the motor frame. made a plastic box to keep the decoder away from the shafts between motor and flywheel. Now I'm wondering if I can do sound as well. not much room in there but will give it thought. was fun and of course it runs like a top!

[tomwazy]

 

   I have been thinking about putting decoders in my Hobbytowns also. I have over 20 of them that need to be upgraded. I was curious how you isolated the pickup from the gear tower to prevent shorting against the frame when going around a tight curve? Any other pointers would be greta too,maybe a tutorial for old heads like me looking to upgrade. Thanks for your original post.

 

       Tom

[loathar]

At $13/each for cheap decoders, I've got a few old locos I'll probably convert too.
Just curious? What is gained by lightening up the brush spring pressure? (over than the obvious wear)

[nyc4me]

the brush spring pressure has to do with minimum speeds and prevents jack rabbit starts. if you tweak it down just so far you can sorta feel it's right, starts smooth and will throttle down the way you want and is quieter. too light and they arc and burn. As for the front tower, I have one curve that comes off a snap switch and goes inside an 18" radius circle and gets even tighter. If they shorted on dc they'd quit there too but they run through ok. But now that you mentioned it, I pulled the shell and noted that is kinda close. maybe a small piece of tape or paint-on insul would provide more piece of mind with the decoder.  The only other hobbytown I have is a rs3 and I'm thinking to do that one too. Still got the old brass wheels, was thinking of new ones from Bear Loco but that's gone now! Take care!