Lok Sound decoder installation...

[pamelapeterson]

Has anyone installed a Lok Sound Select Direct decoder into an Athearn HO Scale AMD-103/P42 or know of installation procedure available to do so??? Thank You in advance for all/any assistance. Robert[Bob] E. Cronan

[rrinker]

 This is a step by step from Soundtraxx, but it would be exactly the same other than the Loksound decoder instead of the Tsunami.

http://www.soundtraxx.com/documents/appnotes/ath_rtramd103_p42.pdf

Note that I honestly can't believe a decoder manufacturer is using clear Scotch tape to hold and insulate things - you want to pick up some Kapton tape. Dealers like Litchfield sell small lengths of it - a whole roll can be rather expensive and is WAY more than you'd ever need - I've barely put a dent in a roll after dozens of installs.

                         --Randy

 

[richhotrain]

rrinker

 This is a step by step from Soundtraxx, but it would be exactly the same other than the Loksound decoder instead of the Tsunami.

http://www.soundtraxx.com/documents/appnotes/ath_rtramd103_p42.pdf

Note that I honestly can't believe a decoder manufacturer is using clear Scotch tape to hold and insulate things - you want to pick up some Kapton tape. Dealers like Litchfield sell small lengths of it - a whole roll can be rather expensive and is WAY more than you'd ever need - I've barely put a dent in a roll after dozens of installs.

                         --Randy

 

 

Randy, what are you saying in that first sentence. It's a bit confusing to me. 

Also, who raised the issue of Scotch tape as an insulator?

I agree with you on Kapton tape. The Lithcfield cut is too little and too expensive. The alternative is too much and even more expensive. We ought to all get together on the forum and split a roll of Kapton tape.

Rich

[rrinker]

I'm saying the install process would be the same, just sub the Loksound decoder for the Tsunami. The actual work involved and how to hook it up would be exactly the same - only the names will changed.

 When I bought my first Kapton tape from Litchfield, you could order it in however many meters you wanted. I got like 3 - that's around 10 feet. I still have some of that too. At a train show I bought a whole roll from a dealer, relatively cheap. Actually I think I bought 2 rolls, one narrow and one wide. I rarely use the narrow, maybe to hold wires down. The wider one is just right for under an Athearn motor, or to strap the entire decoder down.

                     --Randy

Oh yeah, since you didn't get the Jimmy Buffett reference for the soldering iron, I'll save you the trouble - end of the first paragraph is Bon Jovi LOL

And good thing I copied the message like usual, in case something goes wrong. It got moved in the middle of my typing.

 

[richhotrain]

Randy, thanks, now I see what you meant in the first sentence.

I got the Jimmy Buffett reference, thanks to your link.

Rich

[mbinsewi]

Rich and Randy, how wide of tape is the most usefull?  A package company here in SE. WI. , Uline, has it in 36 yrd rolls, from 1/8" to 2", in 1/8" increments.

1/2" is $17. and 3/4" is $25.  I would think either of these would be good.

https://www.uline.com/BL_6407/Kapton-Tape?pricode=WE491&AdKeyword=kapton%20tape&AdMatchtype=e&gclid=CKiJgdfa9tICFUO5wAodCB8OnQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

Mike.

EDIT:  The only draw back for me, anyway, since I live 30 mi. from them, is they have no counter sales, everything is ordered and shipped.

[gmpullman]

richhotrain

We ought to all get together on the forum and split a roll of Kapton tape.

I got a roll of this about four years ago.  24¢ / Yd.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ZFQNT6/ref=psdc_256161011_t1_B00W3FAFP0

Step 10: Soundtraxx also shows plain electrical tape to insulate the motor. IMHO, too soft and may wear through, especially if motor gets even slightly warm. Kapton should be used here, too. Maybe even two layers?

Good Luck, Ed

[mbinsewi]

Wow Ed, that's about 1/2 the price I seen at Uline.  Thanks.  I don't think this is so expensive.  If you really overdo it, and use a 12" for each loco, that's still 108 loco.

A 36 yrd roll would last me forever.

Mike.

[gmpullman]

I'm spoiled by Amazon, Mike  I look there first for just about anything. Although sometimes things are oddly WAY overpriced, I try to buy items either sold by Amazon or at least read the seller's feedback.

The example I gave is only one of several but that item seems to have a slightly better rating (4.5 stars). Shop around.

Not to hijack the thread, but as long as we're talking about Kapton... For any Digitrax users, I make a "pull-tab" out of Kapton for my Powerex 9V batteries with the tab on the + side, facing out when the battery is installed, it is handy to pull the battery out of the throttle and thin enough not to interfere with the cover or housing.

I'll post a photo later OR, better yet, start a new thread on it...

 

Have Fun! Ed

[richhotrain]

mbinsewi

Rich and Randy, how wide of tape is the most usefull?  A package company here in SE. WI. , Uline, has it in 36 yrd rolls, from 1/8" to 2", in 1/8" increments.

1/2" is $17. and 3/4" is $25.  I would think either of these would be good.

Back in 2012, I ordered Kapton tape from Litchfield Station. It was 1/2" x 1 yard. The cost was $1.89. I ordered two of them.

1/2" Kapton tape is wide enough, no need for anything wider. I see no need for 1/4" or 1/8".

Rich

[maxman]

gmpullman

I got a roll of this about four years ago. 24¢ / Yd. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ZFQNT6/ref=psdc_256161011_t1_B00W3FAFP0

Is "Kapton" a brand name, or a generic name like "kleenex"?

The reason I ask is because several reviews of the Amazon-sold product claim it doesn't adhere very well.

Thanks

[richhotrain]

maxman

 

 

gmpullman

I got a roll of this about four years ago. 24¢ / Yd. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ZFQNT6/ref=psdc_256161011_t1_B00W3FAFP0 

Is "Kapton" a brand name, or a generic name like "kleenex"?

The reason I ask is because several reviews of the Amazon-sold product claim it doesn't adhere very well.

Thanks

 

It adheres quite well. Never had a failure.

Kapton ^® Tapes are made from Kapton ^® polyimide film with silicone adhesive. They are compatible with a wide temperature range as low as -269°C (-452°F) and as high as 260°C (500°F). Kapton^® is a  registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.

 Rich

[rrinker]

 If you only get one siz, 1/2" width is most usable. In limited spaces near the ends of the frame where I need to tape down wires, I use some of my 1/4".

 In N and Z scale you may like 1/4" more 

 Not only does it adhere well (regular electrical tape can come loose, leaving a sticky mess all over the inside of the loco), it also RE-adheres well. The adhesive seems to be a PSA - pressure sensitive adhesive - so if you burnish it on (fingernail, or blade of screwdriver) it stick very well, even if it was already stuck down and then lifted because - oops - you forgot one wire.

                 --Randy

[tstage]

I picked up a 3/8" x 36 yd roll of Kapton tape from Litchfield Station years ago and I still have plenty of it left.  The cost for that same roll is $3.75 plus shipping.  Unless you plan on hundreds of DCC installs, that should be more than enough for your needs.  It also holds things down quite well.

Tom

[3rd rail]

If that doesn't work, you might try making a wet paste out of Kapton Crunch cereal, and glueing it in that way..... LOL....     Sorry, I couldn't resist!