Life Like Proto 2000 SD60M Special Edition

Scale:
HO Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:

LL8



NOTE: While this installation demonstrates the use of a T1 in this locomotive, we have since added the LL8 to our decoder line. The LL8 is designed to fit the Life Like Proto 2000 series and would greatly simplify this installation.

This installation documentation is for the HO Scale Life Like Proto 2000 SD 60M Special Edition. The original installation uses the T1 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.
Unscrew the front screw as well as the back one that holds the coupler pockets to the chassis and remove both coupler pockets.
Unscrew the front screw as well as the back one that holds the coupler pockets to the chassis and remove both coupler pockets.
Unscrew the two screws (circled in red). Grasping the shell by the solid area between the grills, lift the shell straight up and off of the chassis.
Unscrew the two screws (circled in red). Grasping the shell by the solid area between the grills, lift the shell straight up and off of the chassis.
Picture of the locomotive with its shell removed.
Picture of the locomotive with its shell removed.
This picture illustrates the original light board with the DCC-ready plug (circled in red). Remove the plug and unscrew the original bard from the engine. If you are using a LL8, simply plug it into this socket and you are done. If you are using the T1, follow the steps below.
This picture illustrates the original light board with the DCC-ready plug (circled in red). Remove the plug and unscrew the original bard from the engine. If you are using a LL8, simply plug it into this socket and you are done. If you are using the T1, follow the steps below.
Lift the DCC plug up to unplug it and unscrew two screws to remove the original light board. Turn the DCC Plug up-side-down and, using an original screw, screw it down to the locomotive chassis.
Lift the DCC plug up to unplug it and unscrew two screws to remove the original light board. Turn the DCC Plug up-side-down and, using an original screw, screw it down to the locomotive chassis.
Because of the fact that 1.5V Bulbs are installed in the locomotive, 680 Ohm resistor needs to be installed to limit the voltage (from the track voltage that is somewhere between 12-18V down to Bulb's operational voltage of 1.5V). For this installation we decided to go with LED's instead of the 1.5V bulbs. Reverse light shown in the picture above.
Because of the fact that 1.5V Bulbs are installed in the locomotive, 680 Ohm resistor needs to be installed to limit the voltage (from the track voltage that is somewhere between 12-18V down to Bulb's operational voltage of 1.5V). For this installation we decided to go with LED's instead of the 1.5V bulbs. Reverse light shown in the picture above.
Make sure to isolate any bare wires (as shown in the picture above) so that they will not cause a short. Green shrink wrap was used in this case but Kapton or an electrical tape can be used as well. The picture above shows the installation of the voltage limiting resistor (680 Ohms) in the front light circuit. It is important to remember that for every light (in this case two - front headlight and reverse light) a voltage limiting, 680 Ohm resistor is needed.
Make sure to isolate any bare wires (as shown in the picture above) so that they will not cause a short. Green shrink wrap was used in this case but Kapton or an electrical tape can be used as well. The picture above shows the installation of the voltage limiting resistor (680 Ohms) in the front light circuit. It is important to remember that for every light (in this case two - front headlight and reverse light) a voltage limiting, 680 Ohm resistor is needed.
This picture above shows the T1 Decoder placement on the chassis. Place the wires from the short harness exactly the way you see them on the picture above and be very careful not to pinch any wires. Black, electrical tape was used to fix the decoder to the Locomotive chassis so that it stays in one place that makes shell placement easier. 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. Reinstall two screws under the locomotive and do not forget to attach both couplers back to the chassis. NOTE: Do not overtighten!
This picture above shows the T1 Decoder placement on the chassis. Place the wires from the short harness exactly the way you see them on the picture above and be very careful not to pinch any wires. Black, electrical tape was used to fix the decoder to the Locomotive chassis so that it stays in one place that makes shell placement easier. 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. Reinstall two screws under the locomotive and do not forget to attach both couplers back to the chassis. NOTE: Do not overtighten!

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