I installed a DZ126PS in the Stuart and used a peice of Kaplon tape over the board before I set the decoder over it, but was the important? Also of note, this engine ran fine on DC but it seems a little noisier on DCC. I havn't messed with any CV's on it yet, are there any changes I should make or good to go out of the box. This engines little brother a VO660 runs much quieter but both can run supper slow. Little brother has been run alot more and both can run real slow but like I said little brother is so quiet at very low speed that I almost let it run all night as I was heading to bed, I took one last look and saw it, and yes my hearing is very good just to avoid comments of that type. Next up will be the Atlas HH660 of which I have a matched set.
The DZ126PS is shrink wrapped, so you probably don't need any extra insulation between the decoder and the board.The Kapton tape is useful to secure the decoder in place though.
CHeck pages 47-49 in the Digitrax decoder manual for the CVs and how to tune them for BEMF, which may quiet the motor a bit.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks
Hello All,
Heat shrink or shrink-wrap on a decoder can be breached through minor and constant vibrations from the sharp solder points on the existing Printed Circuit Board.
Same with Kapton tape. It's a thin film with electronic isolation properties. It's not a buffer between friction components.
When I install a decoder over an existing PC board, if room permits, I use a small piece of double-sided foam tape between the PCB and the new decoder.
I use Kapton tape over the decoder to hold it in place over the double-sided foam tape.
Normally I'm not a "suspenders & belt" kind of guy but when it comes to frying a decoder I take extra precautions.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Kapton is very resistant to wearing through - one of the reasons it's the suggested type of tape to put in the motor well of Athearn BB locos to isolate the bottom of the motor fromt he chassis. And it's much thinner and a whole lot less messy than vinyl electrical tape.
Is it impossible to scratch through it? No, but even if you try with a screwdriver blade, you'll see it's not easy.
0 fried decoders, either during or after install, in over 16 years of DCC.