Precision Craft Models EMD F3A Consist

Scale:
HO Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:

DP5



This installation of TCS DP5 Decoder is for HO Scale Precision Craft Models EMD F3A Consist and was performed by TCS.

The three pictures above show Precision Craft Models EMD F3A Consist with its shell on prior to the TCS DP5 decoder installation. This consist use rather smart design where only A and C unit get the decoder while the B unit is powered up by the decoder installed in the A unit. According to the Precision Craft Models, one motor draws around 400mA so it is possible to run two motors (unit A and unit B) with a single decoder and still be under 1A. which is a threshold for most HO- Scale decoders. We run the consist here and it provided us with a beautiful, smooth slow speed performance. To convert the consist to DCC you will need two TCS DP5 decoders.
The three pictures above show Precision Craft Models EMD F3A Consist with its shell on prior to the TCS DP5 decoder installation. This consist use rather smart design where only A and C unit get the decoder while the B unit is powered up by the decoder installed in the A unit. According to the Precision Craft Models, one motor draws around 400mA so it is possible to run two motors (unit A and unit B) with a single decoder and still be under 1A. which is a threshold for most HO- Scale decoders. We run the consist here and it provided us with a beautiful, smooth slow speed performance. To convert the consist to DCC you will need two TCS DP5 decoders.
This is a picture of the A Unit where the TCS DP5 will be installed.
This is a picture of the A Unit where the TCS DP5 will be installed.
Detach the rear coupler by removing the screw circled in red.
Detach the rear coupler by removing the screw circled in red.
Detach the front coupler by removing the screw circled in red.
Detach the front coupler by removing the screw circled in red.
The picture above illustrates the original light board after the shell removal.
The picture above illustrates the original light board after the shell removal.
Remove the 8 PIN Dummy plug.
Remove the 8 PIN Dummy plug.
Plug the TCS DP5 decoder right into the 8PIN NMRA socket so that the pin number one of the decoder (See the decoder manual for more info) is connected with the pin number one of the socket.
Plug the TCS DP5 decoder right into the 8PIN NMRA socket so that the pin number one of the decoder (See the decoder manual for more info) is connected with the pin number one of the socket.
Here is a picture of the "B" Unit that does not require the decoder. The Installation of the decoder in C Unit is exactly the same as in the A Unit so follow the direction above for the decoder Installation.
Here is a picture of the "B" Unit that does not require the decoder. The Installation of the decoder in C Unit is exactly the same as in the A Unit so follow the direction above for the decoder Installation.

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