Hi,
Tough question maybe. I am about to install a Railpro module, which is basically a 9 pin JST connector. Some people install it right there with no pc board. I happen to have a Atlas GP40-2 Silver series, and, Oh!, there is a PC board all prewired a 8 pin connector. I've seen others plug the module right there with a 8 to 9 pin harness, without removing the pc board.
What is the purpose of that pc board, and should I remove it or not?
Thank you.
Antoine
The board is to provide a common connection point for the 8 pin connector, the track pickups, the motor wires, and the lights. There are also probably some diodes on the board for directional/constant lighting, and possibly resistors if the headlights are LEDs. There should be a small board already plugged in to the 8 pin connector which jumpers several of the pins together so the loco cna operate on DC - the track pickups need to connect to the motor and the lights for them to all work, naturally.
For DCC installs I am a firm believer in removing all factory boards and connecting the wires to the track pickups, motor, and lights myself. That way I know I have the proper wire going to the proper place without having to rely on someone else. There shouldbe no problem though plugging in to the 8 pin socket using a 9 pin to 8 pin harness.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
A fellow in the MRH forums just put RailPro into two Genesis DCC ready GP38-2W's using iPhone 4 speakers. Lots of details.
He removed the board.
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.
I understand from your answers that the pc board could be removed or not. I will leave it there since I only have to plug in a 8 to 9 pin converter and then plug in Railpro and add a speaker.
For the others, I have a Kato SD40, a Athearn bluebox GP40, a proto 1000 f3 unit, a Athearn bluebox sw1500 and a proto 2000 s2 switcher. All are DC only. Those will require imaginative ways to fit in the module, but they don't have any pc board.
thanks for your help.
Probably a good idea as the one who did the conversion said lots of wires involved.
Just like installing a sound decoder using hard wire method. I have done both. Hard wire, usually more complicated and time consuming.
I have four Atlas/Roco Yellow box GP40's that have RailPro LMS-2 (sound) modules installed. I removed the board in each one and hard wired a nine pin connector. This was a "first" for me and it went quite well, the locomotive worked properly right off the bat, that kind of surprised me. The wiring is exactly the same as for DCC so there is a lot of information out there.
Incidently, these locos run ten times better on RailPro than they ever did on DC.
Cheers,
The other Mel
Hi again.
I ended up removing the board too because of the cramped space in there, however, leds do not work for now, I'll have to review the wiring. They all seem to have prewired resistors so I didn't add any, should I? (for atlas silver gp40-2)
I've installed the module in 3 locos now, and they run flawlessly. Very impressive indeed. consisting locos in 5 seconds, no matter the brand, is impressive.
I had no trouble installing int Kato SD40, which had a 8 pin connector too. The Athearn blue bow will be my toughest challenge since I'll have to hardwire everything.
It's harder to fit the thing into switchers along with speaker, but I'll manage.