My local hobby shop (Toms Trains - wethersfield, CT) has quoted a $10 install charge for decoder (not required to purchase from them, but I would) in my 15yo Kato GP35-1a (have two). This seem rather low and might be ignoring lighting issues/replacements.
Online pricing (e.g., Tony's) are 4 times that. So... What am I missing here? What questions should I be asking (and what are good answers) prior to committing to have them do the install.
PS I would undertake this myself, but rather not gain experience on my only two locomotive conversions (new ones are DCC ready or equipped).
Thanks
Co-owner of the proposed CT River Valley RR (HO scale) http://home.comcast.net/~docinct/CTRiverValleyRR/
They've obviously done similar installs in similar models and know exactly what is required. Perhaps it's a simple light board replacement job which requires minimal effort and time.
Let them select the decoder. The only thing I would ask is that they NOT use an MRC decoder due to their reliability problem, and that they change the yellow LED headlight that Kato used with a golden glow LED.
cacoleand that they change the yellow LED headlight that Kato used with a golden glow LED.
That's going to cost extra. It takes some time to install LED lights properly.
Wow! Thats a great deal. I'd at least take them one of my engines and see how it turns out. If they did a good job, I'd bring them everything. I have a LHS who quoted me $25 to install board replacement decoders & $35-$40 for wired. I thought that was a pretty good deal.
I'd be willing o bet that with a 15 year old engine, they might not be able to do it for that cheap. It may not be DCC ready.
Greg Amer
The Industrial Lead
Yeah, that's pretty cheap. I had a sound decoder installed in a Proto S1. The labor was $35, which I think was a bargain, particularly for a switcher which had no room for a speaker. I'm afraid to pull the shell off to see how he did it, but it sure runs and sounds great.
I'm doing a sound install myself right now. I've been at it on and off for 2 days, and all I've got is the space milled out for the speaker and decoder. No way I could make a living at this.
Still, he may be sitting around all day without much to do, and a simple non-sound installation under a non-crowded hood doesn't take long. He may be looking to gain a customer, too. I'd give it a shot.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
That 'old' Kato probably has the plastic 'board' on top. That is a simple board replacement decoder install, although if you want directional lights it takes soem extra work. Those locos have a single bulb in the middle, and light bars to each end. The decoder has the option to solder on the old light bulb so you have controllable but non-directional lights. You have to add a secodn bulb, and cut down the bars to install true directional lighting. I'm sure for $10 they aren;t goign to hook up the lights. Without hookign up the lights, putting a decoder in a Kato with the plastic board on top of the motor is a 5 minute job.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I think the key is they want to be your Hobby Shop! When I was first getting started and stumbled in to K-10 model trains for the first time Ken the owner was very help full answering my dumb questions. As I started to come back more he started giving me parts. At the time I was using horn hook couplers and plastic axle. He gave me discarded Walther's metal axle and Kadee coupler pockets. In retrospect I understand why he could give me all this stuff for free. But, back then it was great.
That kind effort got me hooked and 4 years later I have spent $4000.00 and that is on the low side. He gave me around $50.00 of free stuff, but I hooked on K-10 Model Trains.
Did some say there LHS want $10.00 to install a decoder in a DCC ready engine? Or did I miss read that part. If so, you need a different LHS. K-10 will install it for free if you bought the decoder from them if they have the time.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
"Let them select the decoder. The only thing I would ask is that they NOT use an MRC decoder due to their reliability problem," cacole
I'm going Digitrax (either 125 or 163 models). I'll let them supply it.
I expect a bit of discussion is warranted, but I agree with qpa, give them one to do see how it turns out (have an Atlas GP7 they can use).