Walthers SW1 & DCC

[tstage]

Has anyone here converted a Walthers SW1 switcher to DCC?  is there much room under the shell for a decoder?

It came out in '93.  I'm guessing that the motor will need to be isolated from the frame.  I'm thinking, too, that an N- or Z-scale decoder is what I would need for it.  I actually don't have one yet but am eying one on eBay.

Thanks for the help...

Tom

[rrinker]

 Page 17 of this document from Tony's shows the installation: http://www.tonystrains.com/download/dec-installation-hout.pdf

You need to use a SMALL decoder - they used a TCS M1, the MC1 with connector should also fit based on the picture, but a full-size HO decoder like a T1 probably would not fit here.

BTW for those doing brass steam, page 18 of this document shows some brass steam installs.

                        --Randy

 

[locoi1sa]

I have done 7 of them. I used the TCS MC1 hard wired and insulated the motor from the frame. Great little runners. I used sunny white LEDs with 1K 1/4 watt resistors.

http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Life_Like/Proto_2000_S1_Special%20Edition/Proto%202000%20S1%20Special%20Edition.html

 In this link it shows the orange wire going to the screw in the frame next to the headlight. This wire needs to go to the bottom motor brush. There is the risk of toasting the decoder during a derailment if not done.

         Pete

[tstage]

Thanks, Randy!  Thanks, Pete!

Tom