Alco Models GP30

Scale:
HO Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:

T1



This installation of TCS T1 Decoder is for HO Scale ALCO Models GP30 and was performed by Jean Lacroix.

Shown with the shell on.
Shown with the shell on.
This model was factory painted for Algoma Central. To remove the body, remove the screws located on the underside between the trucks and the end pilots.
This model was factory painted for Algoma Central. To remove the body, remove the screws located on the underside between the trucks and the end pilots.
Both wires hooked to the motor will have to be disconnected before proceeding further.
Both wires hooked to the motor will have to be disconnected before proceeding further.
Place electrical tape or a small sheet of plastic on the frame where the motor was sitting. It is important that the bottom of the motor is isolated from the frame; otherwise it will create a short circuit and/or burn your decoder! It is important not to use the same screws to hold the motor. You can install the motor using double sided tape or “Goop Automotive glue” instead.
Place electrical tape or a small sheet of plastic on the frame where the motor was sitting. It is important that the bottom of the motor is isolated from the frame; otherwise it will create a short circuit and/or burn your decoder! It is important not to use the same screws to hold the motor. You can install the motor using double sided tape or “Goop Automotive glue” instead.
The grey and orange wires from the harness of the T1 should be soldered to the top posts of the motor.
The grey and orange wires from the harness of the T1 should be soldered to the top posts of the motor.
The black wire should attached to the front truck bolster. The red one will be attached to the rear truck bolster. For better contact pickup with the track, you can add bronze phosphor wire inserted in plastic tubing on each insulated side of each truck. Next, connect the leds using the blue, white and yellow wires as per instructions that came with your T1. You can cut back the green and violet wire and cover their end with heat shrink tubing or liquid tape. Please note that covering all soldered joints with heat shrink tubing or liquid tape is a must to avoid short circuit. You are almost done! Just put back the body. The locomotive is now ready to go on the track. * American Locomotive Company, often shortened to ALCO or Alco. Not to be confused with Alco Models (miniature train manufacturer)
The black wire should attached to the front truck bolster. The red one will be attached to the rear truck bolster. For better contact pickup with the track, you can add bronze phosphor wire inserted in plastic tubing on each insulated side of each truck. Next, connect the leds using the blue, white and yellow wires as per instructions that came with your T1. You can cut back the green and violet wire and cover their end with heat shrink tubing or liquid tape. Please note that covering all soldered joints with heat shrink tubing or liquid tape is a must to avoid short circuit. You are almost done! Just put back the body. The locomotive is now ready to go on the track. * American Locomotive Company, often shortened to ALCO or Alco. Not to be confused with Alco Models (miniature train manufacturer)

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