I am about to install a Loksound V5 DCC Sound Decoder in a Proto 2000 SW9. This is an early production model made by Life-Like, not Walthers. Is it mandatory to isolate the motor from the frame as I had to do for the Proto 2000 S-3?
Guy
Modeling CNR in the 50's
Why not? Even if it theoretically doesn't need isolation, a bit of Kapton tape and a couple of nylon mounting screws won't set you back much. I have an S1 Proto switcher, and I had to isollate that motor.
While you're in there, take a look at the headlights. Mine were internally mounted and ran through plastic light pipes. They were barely visible. A replacement LED mounted properly mounted was a piece of cake while the shell was off.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
The Proto EMD switcher is a popular model and there is plenty of available information about DCC conversion if you search for it. There are a few different versions of weights used. The ones I've opened up have all had the motor wires attached to the circuit board. But with Protos you don't know until you open the one you have. There is not a lot of room inside the shell because of the weight and the cab interior.
Lee