Bachmann FP7-8 Unit

Scale:
HO Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:

T1



The installation is for HO Scale Bachmann FP7-B Unit. It uses TCS T1 decoder and was performed by Robert Lewis of Tilehust, Reading, United Kingdom.

This is a Bachmann FP-7 B unit, it is totally standard. I have fitted a TCS-T1 decoder. To remove the body remove the 2 crosshead screws between the bogies and the fuel tank, in the deep recesses. Also remove the 2 crosshead screws that hold the dummy fuel tank in place. The body should lift straight off.
This is a Bachmann FP-7 B unit, it is totally standard. I have fitted a TCS-T1 decoder. To remove the body remove the 2 crosshead screws between the bogies and the fuel tank, in the deep recesses. Also remove the 2 crosshead screws that hold the dummy fuel tank in place. The body should lift straight off.
The chassis is of the "live" type, where current is passed through the body from the bogie pick-up to the motor. Disconnect the 2 black wires from the top motor contact, remove the crosshead screws from the top bogie mounts, the bogies can then be removed, the pick-up wire passes through a small hole in the casting. The motor can now be removed, it is only held in place by the grey packing foam. the motor can be a tight fit so a push from underneath maybe required.
The chassis is of the "live" type, where current is passed through the body from the bogie pick-up to the motor. Disconnect the 2 black wires from the top motor contact, remove the crosshead screws from the top bogie mounts, the bogies can then be removed, the pick-up wire passes through a small hole in the casting. The motor can now be removed, it is only held in place by the grey packing foam. the motor can be a tight fit so a push from underneath maybe required.
To insulate the motor, and the brush contact from the chassis I have inserted 2 strips of plastic sheeting, cut from some packaging. I have also drilled a small hole to enable the fitting of a self tapping screw to hold a solder tag. Solder the Orange wire to one motor terminal and the the grey to the other. I have insulated and tied back the unused wires with rubber sleeving.
To insulate the motor, and the brush contact from the chassis I have inserted 2 strips of plastic sheeting, cut from some packaging. I have also drilled a small hole to enable the fitting of a self tapping screw to hold a solder tag. Solder the Orange wire to one motor terminal and the the grey to the other. I have insulated and tied back the unused wires with rubber sleeving.
Using the original packing foam, push the motor back into the chassis, ensuring the plastic strips remain in place. Feed the black bogie pick-up wires back through the chassis holes and then re-fit the bogies and their retaining screws, do not over tighten these screws or the bogie will not be free to move. Solder the red decoder wire to the solder tag and then screw to chassis. Join the 2 black pick-up wires to the black decoder wire, make sure this joint is well insulated. I have taped the decoder to the chassis. Now test the installation. Refit the body and fuel tank.
Using the original packing foam, push the motor back into the chassis, ensuring the plastic strips remain in place. Feed the black bogie pick-up wires back through the chassis holes and then re-fit the bogies and their retaining screws, do not over tighten these screws or the bogie will not be free to move. Solder the red decoder wire to the solder tag and then screw to chassis. Join the 2 black pick-up wires to the black decoder wire, make sure this joint is well insulated. I have taped the decoder to the chassis. Now test the installation. Refit the body and fuel tank.

Important Soldering Tip

Please do not use any flux either liquid or paste on the mother board. Over time, the acidic properties of liquid or paste flux will begin eating away at the fiberglass PCB and will damage it. Use only Rosin-core solder or no-clean flux approved for electronics use.

TCS recommends the use of Kester "44" Sn63 Pb37, .015" diameter Rosin-core solder. Kester part number 24-6337-0007.

You can order this solder from the following retailers:
Digikey - PN:KE1110-ND
Techni-Tool - PN:488SO6775

Other solder tips

When stripping wire, only strip a tiny little bit of the insulation. Strip no more than a 1/32 of an inch. When the wire gets tinned with solder, the insulation will shrink back more. Try to not expose any more wire than half the length of the solder pad at most. In no case should solder or exposed wire wire ever be outside the boundary of the the solder pad you are attaching a wire to.
Click here for important information on properly Stripping and Tinning wire