Kato EMD F3A

Scale:
N Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:


This is the installation of the 8 function TCS K0D8-B digital decoder for N Scale Kato EMD F3A performed by A.G.

The TCS 1/4" Kapton tape used in this installation is not supplied with the decoder and needs to be purchased separately at your local TCS dealer or directly from us.

The three pictures above show the beautiful EMD F3A engine prior to the K0D8-B decoder installation.
The three pictures above show the beautiful EMD F3A engine prior to the K0D8-B decoder installation.
Gently, remove the shell from the chassis as shown above.
Gently, remove the shell from the chassis as shown above.
Here is a picture of the locomotive chassis after the shell removal where you can see the original light board.
Here is a picture of the locomotive chassis after the shell removal where you can see the original light board.
Gently remove the black plastic interior.
Gently remove the black plastic interior.
The gray plastic clip (marked in red) holds the original light board and motor tabs in place.
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, 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 separatly 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 separatly 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. 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. This is a very important step of the installation and ignoring it might damage the decoder!!!!!
The picture above shows properly done isolation of both motor tabs.
The picture above shows properly done isolation of both motor tabs.
Gently, place the TCS decoder on the chassis as shown in the picture above. Make sure you place the decoder so that both motor tabs are fully alligned with the decoder square copper pads. Make sure all those parts (marked in the picture above) are properly alligned.
Gently, place the TCS decoder on the chassis as shown in the picture above. Make sure you place the decoder so that both motor tabs are fully alligned with the decoder square copper pads. Make sure all those parts (marked in the picture above) are properly alligned.
Very gently, push motor pick-up tabs down so that they touch the copper pads of the decoder. Be very careful not to break the delicate copper tabs.
Very gently, push motor pick-up tabs down so that they touch the copper pads of the decoder. Be very careful not to break the delicate copper tabs.
Insert the gray plastic clip that was removed on the beginning of this installation. The clip holds motor pick-up tabs down so that the electrical connection is possible. If for any reason there is a problem with the connection we suggest using small amount of solder to connect the motor tabs with the decoder (see picture below). Tint the copper pads with a little amount of solder and than solder motor tabs to the decoder.
Insert the gray plastic clip that was removed on the beginning of this installation. The clip holds motor pick-up tabs down so that the electrical connection is possible. If for any reason there is a problem with the connection we suggest using small amount of solder to connect the motor tabs with the decoder (see picture below). Tint the copper pads with a little amount of solder and than solder motor tabs to the decoder.
Here is the picture of finished installation of TCS K0D8-B decoder. When run at speed step one you can see outstanding slow speed performance of this 8 function TCS decoder that is equipped with Back EMF.
Here is the picture of finished installation of TCS K0D8-B decoder. When run at speed step one you can see outstanding slow speed performance of this 8 function TCS decoder that is equipped with Back EMF.

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