Kato EMD E5

Scale:
N Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:


This installation is for the N Scale Kato EMD E5. This installation uses a TCS K0D8-E decoder and was performed by TCS.

Gently remove the shell by lifting from the front to the back and slipping it off the frame. Note: the following motor isolation images are from a previous installation which utilizes the same frame.
Gently remove the shell by lifting from the front to the back and slipping it off the frame. Note: the following motor isolation images are from a previous installation which utilizes the same frame.
The gray plastic clip (marked in red) holds the original light board and motor tabs in place.Gently, remove the plastic gray clip by pulling it up.
The gray plastic clip (marked in red) holds the original light board and motor tabs in place.Gently, remove the plastic gray clip by pulling it up.
Gently, spread two (marked in red) motor tabs. Be very careful not to break them!!!!
Gently, spread two (marked in red) motor tabs. Be very careful not to break them!!!!
Remove the original light board.
Remove the original light board.
Gently, remove the power pick-up copper rails as shown in the picture above. Be very careful not to bend these rails because they are very delicate and can easily break.
Gently, remove the power pick-up copper rails as shown in the picture above. Be very careful not to bend these rails because they are very delicate and can easily break.
Here is a picture of TCS 1/4" Kapton tape that is used accross this installation. Kapton is not supplied with the decoder and needs to be purchased separately at your local TCS dealer or directly from us.
Here is a picture of TCS 1/4" Kapton tape that is used accross this installation. Kapton is not supplied with the decoder and needs to be purchased separately at your local TCS dealer or directly from us.
Use a small piece of Kapton tape around the track power pick-up rail (marked in red) so that it is isolated from the motor tab. Repeat for the second bus bar. This is a very important step of the installation and ignoring it might damage the decoder!!!!!
Use a small piece of Kapton tape around the track power pick-up rail (marked in red) so that it is isolated from the motor tab. Repeat for the second bus bar. This is a very important step of the installation and ignoring it might damage the decoder!!!!!
The picture above shows both of the pickup bars properly isolated. Finally, Slip the decoder back in where the original lighting board was. Fold the motor tabs over the decoder and reattach the plastic clip to hold it all in place.
The picture above shows both of the pickup bars properly isolated. Finally, Slip the decoder back in where the original lighting board was. Fold the motor tabs over the decoder and reattach the plastic clip to hold it all in place.
Your locomotive should now look like the image above. Replace the shell and your locomotive is now ready to run!
Your locomotive should now look like the image above. Replace the shell and your locomotive is now ready to run!

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