Kato EMD FP7

Scale:
N Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:


This installation documentation is for the N-Scale Kato EMD FP7. This installation uses the TCS K0D8-F decoder and was performed by TCS.

N-Scale Kato FP7 shown prior to installation.
N-Scale Kato FP7 shown prior to installation.
The Kato FP7 shown with the shell off and the two lighting assemblies removed and set aside for reinstallation later. Remove the small rectangular plug highlighted above in red and lift the original lighting board off of the frame. We will not be reusing these two components and they may be discarded.
The Kato FP7 shown with the shell off and the two lighting assemblies removed and set aside for reinstallation later. Remove the small rectangular plug highlighted above in red and lift the original lighting board off of the frame. We will not be reusing these two components and they may be discarded.
With the lighting board removed, the two metal rails need to be electrically isolated. Do this by wrapping them with Kapton tape.
With the lighting board removed, the two metal rails need to be electrically isolated. Do this by wrapping them with Kapton tape.
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.
Shown with the rail properly wrapped.
Shown with the rail properly wrapped.
Attach the K0D8F Decoder to the frame and solder the motor pickup wires as shown highlighted in red below.
Attach the K0D8F Decoder to the frame and solder the motor pickup wires as shown highlighted in red below.
With the connection soldered.
With the connection soldered.
Reinstall the lighting assemblies and you can close up the locomotive. Your Kato FP7 is now TCS DCC equipped and ready to roll!
Reinstall the lighting assemblies and you can close up the locomotive. Your Kato FP7 is now TCS DCC equipped and ready to roll!

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