Is it difficult to install DCC with sound into a HO Proto FM C-Liner A Unit? I know that these engines never came with DCC, but are they at least DCC ready? I never found an information about that yet. And is there enough space inside to install a speaker?
What´s a hardwire install? I´m not so familiar with DCC installation and especially not with non-DCC-ready engines, so could you just explain for me quickly and easily please?
A 'hardwire install' means simply that there is no DCC plug inside the locomotive, so all the wiring must be soldered in place by the user.
If you've never performed a hard wire install, you need to find someone who can walk you through the steps involved (in person, not on a forum) or pay them to install it.
follow the instructions that come with the decoder. worked for me.
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.
Just remembered, for hard wire, I sometimes use a small piece of Vero board for tying wires end to end. Makes a neater install.
Some, I solder splice the wires end to end and put shrink over the splice.
Hi De Luxe:
How are your soldering skills?
'Hardwire' means that you have to solder all the decoder connections. If you can use a pencil tipped soldering iron then you can hardwire a decoder. If you have never used a pencil tipped soldering iron then cacoles suggestion to get some help is good, but that doesn't mean that you can't learn on your own.
Speaker space is becoming less of an issue with the introduction of so called 'sugar cube' or 'iPhone5' speakers. You can read about them here:
http://sbs4dcc.com/sugarcubespeakers.html
Make sure you read the pages in the links that are shown under 'Application Notes'.
There are lots of tutorials about decoder installations on the web. I spent some time searching for an HO C-Liner sound installation but I had the same luck as you - none.
My suggestion is to treat this as a learning opportunity and give it a go. You have to start somewhere. I have to say that I take issue with those who suggest that you can't do it on your own. If you are worried about smoking a $100 sound decoder, get yourself a cheap non-sound decoder and practise with it. You can get them for less than $20. Once you have successfully installed a non-sound decoder the step up to sound is pretty small.
Hopefully someone who has already done the C-Liner will chime in.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Soldering isn´t a problem for me. I only never installed a decoder in a non-DCC-ready engine yet, that´s why I was asking. And I´m not familiar with some terms, so that´s why I´m asking too. But now I fully understand what hardwiring means. I also have a friend who is pretty good with decoder installations, so he can help me with this too or we do it together. By the way cutting the frame above the rear trucks sounds like a lot of work! Seems like there is indeed too little space inside for a speaker. Is there so much weight inside the C-Liner or what? I searched for photos of the opened engine without the shell on the internet, but couldn´t find anything.