Rivarossi E8

Scale:
HO Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:

M1



This installation of TCS M1 Decoder is for HO Scale Rivarossi E8 and was performed by Stephen Atkins of  Winshill, Staffordshire, United Kingdom.

Using a low wattage solder iron unsolder the light and motor wires.
Using a low wattage solder iron unsolder the light and motor wires.
The unused output shaft needs to be cut off so the decoder will fit in the shell.
The unused output shaft needs to be cut off so the decoder will fit in the shell.
Check to make sure the motor is isolated from the chassis.
Check to make sure the motor is isolated from the chassis.
Solder the blue and white wires to the headlight connectors.
Solder the blue and white wires to the headlight connectors.
Solder the black wire from the decoder to the 2 pickup wires and the red to the other 2 wires (this engine is all wheel pick up).
Solder the black wire from the decoder to the 2 pickup wires and the red to the other 2 wires (this engine is all wheel pick up).
Using heat shrink tubing is easier than tape here. Solder the orange and grey wire to the motor.
Using heat shrink tubing is easier than tape here. Solder the orange and grey wire to the motor.
The decoder is then taped using double face tape into the frame section and the cover reinstalled and you are ready to test your newly decoded engine.
The decoder is then taped using double face tape into the frame section and the cover reinstalled and you are ready to test your newly decoded engine.

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