Kato GE C30-7 (DCC-Ready Version)

Scale:
N Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:




If you have the older version, which is not DCC friendly.  You will use the CN and you will have to modify the frame.

 

This installation is for a N Scale Kato GE C30-7 using a TCS K1D4 Decoder and was performed by TCS.

N-Scale Kato C30-7 prior to K1D4 decoder installation.
N-Scale Kato C30-7 prior to K1D4 decoder installation.
Carefully loosen the railings from the locomotive cab noted with the red circles (total of four). Remove the shell of the locomotive, leaving the walkway platform.With the main shell removed, next remove the motor clips from the factory light board, noted with green squares. These are easily removed using tweezers.
Carefully loosen the railings from the locomotive cab noted with the red circles (total of four). Remove the shell of the locomotive, leaving the walkway platform.With the main shell removed, next remove the motor clips from the factory light board, noted with green squares. These are easily removed using tweezers.
Next, remove the walkway platform carefully avoiding the motor contacts.
Next, remove the walkway platform carefully avoiding the motor contacts.
In our install, we had to loosen the screws on one end of the locomotive to remove the factory light board and install the K1D4.This does not always need to be done and should be avoided provided the chassis does not have the tabs highlighted with the green rectangle . Next, loosen the screws on either end of the locomotive chassis highlighted with red circles. (Note: don't remove completely). Carefully seperate the chassis, allowing for the light board to slide out of the locomotive chassis.
In our install, we had to loosen the screws on one end of the locomotive to remove the factory light board and install the K1D4.This does not always need to be done and should be avoided provided the chassis does not have the tabs highlighted with the green rectangle . Next, loosen the screws on either end of the locomotive chassis highlighted with red circles. (Note: don't remove completely). Carefully seperate the chassis, allowing for the light board to slide out of the locomotive chassis.
Be sure to apply an insulator (here we used Kapton tape, but eletrical tape would work as well) over the frame to prevent the motor tabs from shorting on the frame.
Be sure to apply an insulator (here we used Kapton tape, but eletrical tape would work as well) over the frame to prevent the motor tabs from shorting on the frame.
With the frame loose and the factory light board removed, slide the TCS K1D4 decoder under the frame contacts highlighted with red circles going from the rear (left) to the front (right) of the locomotive.(Note: only the front (right) of the K1D4 has frame pick-up contacts. The rear circle (left) highlights securing the decoder to the locomotive chassis.)Make sure both motor contacts rest under the K1D4's motor clips. With the K1D4 in place, tighten the two screws if loosened earlier.
With the frame loose and the factory light board removed, slide the TCS K1D4 decoder under the frame contacts highlighted with red circles going from the rear (left) to the front (right) of the locomotive.(Note: only the front (right) of the K1D4 has frame pick-up contacts. The rear circle (left) highlights securing the decoder to the locomotive chassis.)Make sure both motor contacts rest under the K1D4's motor clips. With the K1D4 in place, tighten the two screws if loosened earlier.
Finally, re-install the walkway platform and main shell onto the locomotive being careful of the railings near the cab.You have now installed a TCS K1D4 decoder into your N-Scale Kato C30-7.
Finally, re-install the walkway platform and main shell onto the locomotive being careful of the railings near the cab.You have now installed a TCS K1D4 decoder into your N-Scale Kato C30-7.

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