I have a number of 1970 vintage brass HOn3 steam models that I would like to make DCC ready before I buy a DCC system (Leaning tord RailPro) I can't seem to find a source for the 9 pin JST jumper boards used in DCC ready loco's.
Thanks.
Ed T.
To date I am not aware of any but I do know Bachmann sells some PC boards with 8 pin. Don't remember for which loco thoiugh. I have seen them on the Bachmann Parts page.
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.
The connector is sold with wires. A small piece of PC board, you can make your own. Maybe Radio Shack still sells PC boards with the copper traces on them.
Hard wire, you don't need the PC board. Just a 1k resistor for LED's.
I did this with a few Athearn BB locos, I bought a 5 pack of the 9 pin plugs with the short harness, hardwired it all, and install jumper plugs for running DC. Come time for DCC, unplug the jumper, plug in the decoder. Athearn sells the board, for I think under $20, but I'm not sure how they would fit in a steam loco.
I'm sure Bachmann sells a board, too, as does Atlas (which are actually pretty versatile), and Kato.
Try searching for decoder installs in brass locos.
By the way, Welcome to the forum !
Mike.
My You Tube
I found an Athern jumper board on their site. ;-)
http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH90617
[ATH90617]
Retail Price: $3.98
Installing a 9 pin connector in the loco is the same as just hard wiring the decoder. Many wired decoders, the wires actually come off a 9 pin plug anyway, so you can always remove the decoder if it needs replacement.
The 9 pin dummy plugs, Digitrax sells them, Part Number DHDP, pack of 5. Unplug the decoder from the 9 pin connection, plug one of these in, and you have a plain DC loco. Take this out, plug in the decoder, you have a DCC loco.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Ed,
Some questions cross my mind.
Do these locos run well already on straight DC? If not get them up to speed in DC before considering installing decoders in them. Do they have headlights installed? Are they painted? Do they need extra electrical pick up?
Which Hon3 locos are we talking about? Are you thinking sound decoder or just a motor control decoder? I doubt that there will be room for a decoder and a harness in most Hon3 tenders - especially true if you are putting a keep alive and sound in the loco.
Most of my Hon3 friends make the loco DCC ready at the same time they install the decoder, it saves time (you take loco apart only once – if you are lucky) I might not install the harness as you might discover you might have to remove it later to make room for the decoder. Remember you don’t need the harness, the decoder can be hardwired in without it.
Your mileage may vary
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
I have hard wired the Digitrax DZ125 in some locos. About the size of a dime.
TCS has a small one also.
Order some #30 wire also.
You will need six wires between the loco and tender.
Miniatronics makes some small two wire and six wire connectors.
I have some Roundhouse steamers that use a six wire connector but the wires route up into the tender where the matching socket, plug are located. Have to lift the tender shell to unplug. I notched the tender frame to fit the wires because I use close coupling of the loco and tender.
I painted black vinyl liquid tape over the wires to look like hoses.