What is this wire with the brass clip for?
I have two Tiger Valley Model C420, they do run (DC) only. They both have brass wheel sets. Dose anyone know if you can swap them for NWSL nickel silver wheel sets?
I believe, this clips to the top bronze strip in "Blue-Box" style chassis. The bottom strip contacts the frame. The black wire goes in place of the original bronze strips that collected power from each truck.
If you install a DCC decoder you have to isolate the bottom contact strip from the frame and add a wire here, too.
Similar to what is shown in this example:
http://tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1058
Good Luck, Ed
It sounds like an out of production Digitrax, the DHAT 9 pin.
https://www.digitrax.com/products/retired/mobile-decoders/dhat/
The red wires with the clips go to the top of bar from each truck, the black wire with the clip goes on the frame, where the head light assembly attaches, it's the (-) of the power, the red wires are the (+) side.
Look at the link, and at the instructions for the decoder.
I guessing that's the one you have. If not? what do you have? who made it?
Mike.
My You Tube
I thought he was asking about the included black wire with this clip?
Ath_Motor by Edmund, on Flickr
Maybe I misunderstood? PITA48 seems to be a bit sparse on the details
Mike, Your link to the Digitrax harness certainly provides a better wiring arrangement for anyone wanting to add a decoder to a vintage Blue-Box loco. A few that I've done I remove the clip and simply solder the wires on. For the steel and plated parts, the clip sure makes it easy. Tough to solder those.
Regards, Ed
I was just guessing on what he had Ed. Your probably right! He doesn't describe what he has.
When I read black wire with a clip, and Athearn compatable, I thought of the DHAT.
It's no longer availiable, unless you find one on Ebay, or a private seller.
They were handy for a first timer, like me with my first install! I quickly learned the hardwire was best.
Either way, with any decoder, the black wire goes to frame, (-) side of the truck.
Sorry for the lack of info. What I am attempting to do is repower an old Athearn F7 with a newer motor what I am using is Athearn HO High Performance Motor{#ATH84086}.I have rewired it top side, removed metal connection and all. Motor Iam replacing is an old gray one with steel flywheels,i noticed that on all the old Athearn motors the bottom brass clip has pig tails which make contact with the frame, is that why they provide this part? Because the new motor does not have these pigtails Thanks Again ED
The 4th post, Ed's second post is
the replacement motor and part. My old F7 has a clip on the bottom like the one in the photo. Soldering to that clip is no problem, maybe it's for the headlight (assuming you are keeping the bulb and DC)
The weight takes up a huge amount of space. Where are you putting the decoder?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I guess I misunderstood the OP as to installing a decoder.
If he's not, than the black wire goes to the frame, replacing the little brass prongs that the old Athearn motors used to contact the frame.
If he is installing a decoder, it's different! The gray decoder wire goes to the bottom strip, and the black wire from the decoder goes to the frame.
My misunderstanding!
okay thanks to all for the info that is what I thought