I have a Stewart FT-A and B set. The A unit is powered only. I researched the best decoder for this loco, and decided on the TCS "MC2P-SH" decoder.
In the TCS website, they show an example of an installation in a Stewart F7, and, judging by the photos, the lightboard and circuit board is almost identical to the FT-A that I have, with the NMRA 8-pin plug. They show an MC2P-SH-UK decoder in the example.
As far as I can tell, I need only the MC2P-SH........is this true? I think the "UK" designation applies to British installations(?)
Also, by using this decoder (MC2P-SH), is there anything that should be done regarding the headlight? The TCS installation photos don't address changing the lightbulb, or adding a drop down resistor or anything.
Thanks.
-Al
I'm not sure about the LEDs, but TCS decoders normally come with very good instructions so I suspect it should explain about changing the power output for the lights if necessary. I put decoders in my FTs a long time ago, but it seems to me the LED headlights are already hooked up with a resistor or something in the lightboard. At least I know one of my FT sets still has the factory LED headlight, and I don't recall having to do anything special when adding a decoder.
BTW something nice about the dummy B units is you can pop the glazing out of the doors at the end of the A and B units to run two wires thru. Then you can install a sound decoder in the A unit, and run the wires back to a large speaker in the B unit. If you use the drawbar to connect the units, the wires aren't noticeable because the units are so close. (However, I do add one of the Walthers rubber diapraghms between them anyway.)
This set uses an old Soundtraxx LC decoder from way back and still sounds pretty good....
watch?v=AKd1sHnqmwc&feature=g upl
You should be able to download the instructions for this decoder from the TCS web site. You might be able to find some installation photos there as well. Between the two, that should give you enough information.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Al:
The TCS MC2 series are 2 function decoders with a 100 ma function output. I don't know what the rating of the headlight bulb is but if it were me I would replace it with an led. An led with a 1K dropping resistor would be well within the function limits of the decoder.
Joe
The FT's already have an LED< except it is a yellow one, not a white one. The resistor is in the board adn stays in the circuit if you plug a decoder in the 8 pin connector. It's only about a 470 ohm resistor though, and might be too bright, although mine seems to be fine.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Yup, I checked the light and indeed it is an LED. I couldn't find the TCS decoder that I wanted locally, so I tried a Digitrax DZ125PS decoder.....it is a bit tight under the roof of the shell, but it works good.
Thanks for the help everyone.