Kato EMD SD45

Scale:
HO Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:


TCS recommends using the DP2X decoder for simple plug-and-play installation.

This installation documentation is for the HO Scale Kato EMD SD45. The original installation uses the MC2P-VO decoder, and was performed by A.G.

 

The pictures above show the locomotive prior to the decoder installation.
The pictures above show the locomotive prior to the decoder installation.
Grasping the shell at the center top of both sides (being careful not to crush the grills), lift the shell straight up and off of the chassis. Picture of the locomotive with its shell removed.
Grasping the shell at the center top of both sides (being careful not to crush the grills), lift the shell straight up and off of the chassis. Picture of the locomotive with its shell removed.
Plug in the decoder so that the Orange wire (or Pin #1 of the DP2X) lines up with Pin #1 of the socket. Pin #1 will be designated with a "1" or a small arrow/chevron. Make sure the decoder does not touch the drivetrain, and the harness does not block the LED. Hold the shell in one hand and the chassis in your other hand. Lining up the front of both pieces, lower the shell onto the chassis, keeping the lower edge of the shell parallel with the chassis.
Plug in the decoder so that the Orange wire (or Pin #1 of the DP2X) lines up with Pin #1 of the socket. Pin #1 will be designated with a "1" or a small arrow/chevron. Make sure the decoder does not touch the drivetrain, and the harness does not block the LED. Hold the shell in one hand and the chassis in your other hand. Lining up the front of both pieces, lower the shell onto the chassis, keeping the lower edge of the shell parallel with the chassis.

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