Adding DCC decoders to N scale Life-Like locomotives

[liquidcross]

I've seen a few locos floating around eBay and otherwise, but they're not "DCC ready." Can decoders still be installed in them? Any idea how?

[Anonymous]

Ok... This can get very sticky...

RECENTLY Produced "Split" chassis locomotives (diesels who's chassis is literally split right down the long axis,) can be fitted with decoders easier than almost any other loco in N Scale.

HOWEVER, the latest KATO and ATLAS stuff, can actually accept a pre produced decoder "board" to replace the "light board" that sits on the highest point of the chassis and is "snapped" between the two halves of the chassis.

Wired decoders in N Scale are VERY hard to install in a loco that was not manufactured to the upper end of the quality standards spectrum. You have to do a lot of modification to some N Scale locos, and at this point, I have fried several decoders on what should have been moderately difficult installations. I now go with locos that are DCC ready... Skip the headache. TRUST me here.

Life Like, and Bachmann, have all inexplicably fried decoders. They motors draw too much, the frame requires too much weight reduction to fit the decoder, the engine won't properly "isolate" or shorts when in operation.

Bottom line, buy DCC ready whenever possible. WHEN (not if,) you want to venture out into the custom installation stuff, do so with every warning that in N Scale it will try your nerves, so be ready to stop and purchase another decoder, can motor, chassis, or whole locomotive.

Check out http://www.dcctrains.com/ and look at some of the decoders on boards and some without. Look at his tips, and his warnings. Look at his custom offers for installation and custom chassis.