I've got several Athearn RS-3's I want to put decoders in. They're quick-plug. I've got the first one open and I've plugged in the decoder.
BUT.
While it's open, I got to wondering if I should pull all those little push-on clips off and solder the wires onto the board. Seems I've heard it's a good idea.
I thought I'd ask here. It's a bit of work, so I'd like to be assured that it's worthwhile before I do it. AND. I'd rather not have to open these up later to do what I should have done now.
So: solder? or not?
Ed
PS: While I've got your attention: Should I toss the little dummy boards? I surely don't ever expect to go back to DC.
For maximum reliability, solder them. I tossed my DC adapters into the junk box.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I agree on soldering the connections. It makes for reliability. I would also save a couple of the DC adapter plug ins you may want to do some testing on DC without your decoder.
Joe
I agree with the others, Ed.
If your comfortable in the soldering work, go for it.
I will also say that I have never had a problem with the push on clips, from Athearn, or Kato, but it does seem like a furture problem waiting to happen.
Mike.
My You Tube
7j43k PS: While I've got your attention: Should I toss the little dummy boards? I surely don't ever expect to go back to DC.
Model railroaders never throw anything away.
Model railroaders wonder where they put that thingy that they saved instead of throwing it away.
Model railroaders wonder what this thingy is/goes to that they found on their workbench.
Model railroaders wish they hadn't just ordered another Milw boxcar, because they found a stash of 4 stacked away from the last time they just knew they needed some and didn't have enough.
Model railroaders think they should get still more little boxes with teeny pull out drawers to hold all their neat (little) stuff they didn't throw out. And the new ones should, this time, readily stack on the old ones.
Model railroaders are especially sad to lose Athearn blue box kits because the boxes were so great for holding and storing the neat (not quite as little) stuff they didn't throw out. Like the X2f couplers that came with the kits.
Naah. I really DID throw those out. Except for one on my adapter car. Which I can't find. And don't need.
PS: Thanks, all, for the advice. I'll do the soldering. And maybe save a couple of dummy plugs. If I can find a place for them.
7j43k Model railroaders wonder where they put that thingy that they saved instead of throwing it away. Model railroaders wonder what this thingy is/goes to that they found on their workbench. Model railroaders wish they hadn't just ordered another Milw boxcar, because they found a stash of 4 stacked away from the last time they just knew they needed some and didn't have enough. Model railroaders think they should get still more little boxes with teeny pull out drawers to hold all their neat (little) stuff they didn't throw out. And the new ones should, this time, readily stack on the old ones. Model railroaders are especially sad to lose Athearn blue box kits because the boxes were so great for holding and storing the neat (not quite as little) stuff they didn't throw out. Like the X2f couplers that came with the kits. Naah. I really DID throw those out. Except for one on my adapter car. Which I can't find. And don't need. Ed PS: Thanks, all, for the advice. I'll do the soldering. And maybe save a couple of dummy plugs. If I can find a place for them.
Wow, is all that ever true.
I use those little plastic boxes with dividers - often found in the fishing gear portion of the store. I actually have lebsl on mine, one box has spare electronic parts (LEDs, resistors, the incandescnt bulbs I removed and replaced with LEDs, DCC dummy plugs, factory boards I've stripped out). One has wheelsets - plastic ones I've removed, replacement metal ones fresh outof the package, replacement metal ones with resistors soldered on and painted, and replacement metal ones just painted, no resistors, and one for couplers - with bins full of X2f, another with all teh Accumate ones I never use, another with the P2K ones I've removed, etc. And a bin with Kadees, and another with Kadee draft gear boxes. Anythign thats not a Kadee gets replaced before it goes into service. I keep thinking about packign up say the Accumates in small bags of 10 or so and selling them on ebay, $5 a bag. All brand new and never used. Some people like those.
So I pretty much know where all the junk I saved is. The problem is the spaces reserved for specific items is getting over full.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.