Kato EMD SD70M

Scale:
N Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:


This installation documentation is for the N Scale Kato EMD SD70M. THis installation uses the TCS K1D4-NC decoder and was performed by A.G.

This installation requires special procedures so be sure to follow each step!

TCS also produced a companion video for this locomotive installation, which details disassembly, frame milling, and installation of a K1D4-NC decoder and Keep Alive® device. Scroll to the bottom of the page or click here to view the installation companion video.

 

This pictures above show the Kato EMD SD70M with the shell on. TCS K1D4-NC digital decoder will be installed.
This pictures above show the Kato EMD SD70M with the shell on. TCS K1D4-NC digital decoder will be installed.
Remove the shell starting from the cabin side and work the way up.
Remove the shell starting from the cabin side and work the way up.
This is a picture of the frame with the shell removed and the original lighting board installed.
This is a picture of the frame with the shell removed and the original lighting board installed.
Slide the original light board to the left and lift it up.
Slide the original light board to the left and lift it up.
Gently, remove the copper clips from the original light board and make sure you do not bend their ends as they will be used in the next step of our installation.
Gently, remove the copper clips from the original light board and make sure you do not bend their ends as they will be used in the next step of our installation.
After removing the original lighting board, apply Kapton tape to the area of the frame between the motor tabs so that the frame is isolated from the motor clips on the decoder.
After removing the original lighting board, apply Kapton tape to the area of the frame between the motor tabs so that the frame is isolated from the motor clips on the decoder.
Place the decoder board in the frame and gently push it all the way to the right so that the decoder firmly sits in the chassis. Do not bend the board as it could damage the inner-layers of the board.
Place the decoder board in the frame and gently push it all the way to the right so that the decoder firmly sits in the chassis. Do not bend the board as it could damage the inner-layers of the board.
Gently, insert the copper motor pick up tabs as shown in the picture above. Line up the tabs from the motor with the motor clips that are on the decoder.
Gently, insert the copper motor pick up tabs as shown in the picture above. Line up the tabs from the motor with the motor clips that are on the decoder.
This is a picture of the fully installed K1D4-NC. This is an easy drop-in installation.
This is a picture of the fully installed K1D4-NC. This is an easy drop-in installation.

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