DCC Conversion of IHC 2-8-2 Mikado

[Jim in NM]

  I have never before attempted to do a DCC conversion.  The Loco that I plan to convert is an IHC "DCC Ready" Mikado Primier Gold 2-8-2. Inside the Tender, there is a small circuit-board connected to the power lines and with its outputs connected to an 8-pin, in-line connector.

  Am I correct to assume that the old PC has to be removed (cut-out) and replaced with the new unit, a Micro-Tsunami, model TSU-760 from soundTraxx? I plan to use the original connector, but need to identify each of the functions with pin numbers.

               Jim in NM

[gatrhumpy]

Why did you make two threads about this?

[Train Modeler]

You could solder an 8 pin connector to the wires on the Tsunami and then put that connector on the existing board.    Or you could replace the 9 pin connector on the Tsunami with a JST to 8 pin wiring harness

You can erase the other post..

Richard

[MisterBeasley]

I put a Tsunami into an IHC Mikado that didn't have the plug.  Definitely figure out a way to wire the Tsunami to a plug.  Hard-wiring is a big job, and the wires on the Tsunami aren't long enough to make it all the way from the tender, so you'd need splices anyway.

The Tsunami has extra function wires and a chuff-cam wire, which my installation couldn't use.  So, don't worry if you've got extra wires.

My Mikado starts off very quickly, so I needed a lot of momentum in CV3 to keep it from doing a jack-rabbit start, even at step 1.  Other than that, it runs very well and sounds great.

[emman]

I'm with Trainmodeler and Mr. Beasley - go with an 8 pin plug. For a few dollars, it will make your life easier. While you'd have to solder a receptacle to receive it for your installation, the rest is a no solder proposition. Wiring harnesses that have an 8 pin plug on one end and a 9 pin on the other are readily available and with different lengths. Removing the wired harness from the Tsunami is not hard and if you go to the following link and scroll down a ways, there are pictures. If there is an 8 pin plug in the locomotive (or tender), using one of these harnesses makes the Tsunami installation a plug and play.

http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/soundtraxx/tsunami.htm

Good Luck and have fun!

 

 

[Jim in NM]

  Hopefully we got that fixed...the two posts.

        jim

[Jim in NM]

That sounds great. That is pretty much the conclusion that I have come to and at this point, it is the way I will go. The plug is already there, so I will just add a plug to the Tsunami and should be ready to go (I hope).
           Jim

On 2/15/2011 11:35 PM, Trains.com Forums wrote:

[Jim in NM]

  Right now the Tsunami does not have any connector on it.  Just a bare set of wires. It does have a complete wiring diagram with colors of the wires so putting it into a NMRA connector should be straight forward.  That will be my plan.

             Jim

[Jim in NM]

Thanks, that's good info.

  I will have fun!

[Jim in NM]

Thanks, that's good info.

  I will have fun!

[Jim in NM]

Great info.  Thanks for the Links