I have hard wired about a dozen Athearn BB locos to DCC, I solder a red wire from both wheel towers to the red DCC decoder wire. I remove the metal tab from the front of the locomotive, which is the ground to the frame as it is not reliable. I drill and tap a hole in the frame for a 2/56 brass screw and solder the black DCC decoder wire to the screw to get a good ground connection.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
Dan,
Great tip. I used a product CRC 2-26 (Plastic Safe Multi -Purpose Electrical conductive lubricant) that I purchased at Home Depot. Comes in a spray can. Sprayed it onto a que tip coated the pivot. The locomotive works just fine.
Thanks again,
Dave
i have had the same issue with a proto 2000 gp 30 which is essential an identical pickup design. nothing i did fixed the issue. in the end i cleaned all axle bearings truck pivot points with contact cleaner to free them from any contiminants. i then added a drop of peco electrolube conductive lubricant to each and every axle bearing and the bolster pivot point to the frame. this has eliminated all the issues. the unit has been running for 6 mths now and has not had a single issue.
Dan
I am experiencing intermittant power pick up. I have soldered wires to the brakets that connect to the trucks and also the ground tab on the metal frame. Also checked to make certain that the wiring to the Soundtraxx LC Series decoder is continuous. any suggestions. Thank you