Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Can this be saved

1389 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, April 11, 2015 7:04 PM

jecorbett

I recently purchased a bunch of decoder wire from TCS. It is multi-strand and is quite flexible:

http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Products/Supplies/Wire/Wire.htm

So far the 30ga has suited me fine but they have finer wire if things are really tight.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Utica, OH
  • 4,000 posts
Posted by jecorbett on Saturday, April 11, 2015 5:32 AM

hon30critter

TCS has a 'goof proof' warranty. Note that you need to register with them before sending the decoder in for repair or replacement. Here is their warranty page:

http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Customer_Info/Warranty/warranty.html

As an aside, you have learned a lesson that I also have learned, and we both did it the hard way: Don't force a shell back on - something is blocking the way and pushing harder isn't likely to make things any better!

Recently I was working with a BullAnt drive from Hollywood Foundry in Australia. I thought it fit into the shell very nicely although it was a bit snug. However, in trying to get it back out of the shell I managed to do considerable damage and I was lucky to be able to repair it. A very slight filing of the inside of the shell allowed it to slide in and out. I obviously should have done that first.

Dave

 

Thanks, Dave. That's great news.

I think my mistake was using too heavy a gauge wire to feed the motor. It was too stiff and so it put too much downward pressure on the terminal tab when I put the shell back on.

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Friday, April 10, 2015 11:21 PM

TCS has a 'goof proof' warranty. Note that you need to register with them before sending the decoder in for repair or replacement. Here is their warranty page:

http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Customer_Info/Warranty/warranty.html

As an aside, you have learned a lesson that I also have learned, and we both did it the hard way: Don't force a shell back on - something is blocking the way and pushing harder isn't likely to make things any better!

Recently I was working with a BullAnt drive from Hollywood Foundry in Australia. I thought it fit into the shell very nicely although it was a bit snug. However, in trying to get it back out of the shell I managed to do considerable damage and I was lucky to be able to repair it. A very slight filing of the inside of the shell allowed it to slide in and out. I obviously should have done that first.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • 257 posts
Posted by RR Baron on Friday, April 10, 2015 11:15 PM

TCS decoder is covered by a one year, goof proof, no questions asked warranty. Go to the TCS website for warranty info and what you must do.

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Utica, OH
  • 4,000 posts
Can this be saved
Posted by jecorbett on Friday, April 10, 2015 9:54 PM

After installing a TCS AX4 decoder in an old Atlas RS-1 and testing it out thoroughly, I thought everything was fine. Then I snapped the shell back on and it wouldn't run. I removed the shell and discovered that in replacing the shell it had pushed down on of the wires leading from the decoder to the motor and and broken off the terminal tab to the decoder. It appears to have broken off the plastic tab to which the terminal was attached. Is there any way to reattach this and restore the electrical connection or have I just destroyed a brand new decoder?

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!