Bachmann Spectrum Modern American ALCO Richmond

Scale:
HO Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:


The installation is for HO Scale Bachmann Spectrum Modern American ALCO Richmond Loco. It uses TCS DP2X-UK decoder and was performed by A.G.

The three upper pictures represent the locomotive prior to the decoder installation. The TCS DP2X-UK will be fitted into the locomotive's tender.
The three upper pictures represent the locomotive prior to the decoder installation. The TCS DP2X-UK will be fitted into the locomotive's tender.
Remove two phillips screw that are circled in red.
Remove two phillips screw that are circled in red.
Here is a picture of the original light board with Bachmann decoder.
Here is a picture of the original light board with Bachmann decoder.
Remove the Bachmann Decoder as shown in the picture above.
Remove the Bachmann Decoder as shown in the picture above.
Close-up of the 8PIN NMRA Socket.
Close-up of the 8PIN NMRA Socket.
Place our TCS DP2X-UK into the DCC socket exactly as shown above. The pin #1 is marked on the board.
Place our TCS DP2X-UK into the DCC socket exactly as shown above. The pin #1 is marked on the board.
Place the shell back, reinstall the Phillips screws and we are ready to go!
Place the shell back, reinstall the Phillips screws and we are ready to go!

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