American Z Line SD40-2 and SD40T-2

Scale:
Z Scale




This installation documentation is for the American Z Line SD40-2 and SD40T-2 locomotives. This installation uses the AZL2D5 decoder, which includes on-board KA-N1 Keep Alive®.

The AZL SD40-2 shown prior to installation. To begin the installation, separate the complete shell by gently squeezing the body with one hand and the chassis or trucks with your other hand. Pull until the shell separates from the frame.
The AZL SD40-2 shown prior to installation. To begin the installation, separate the complete shell by gently squeezing the body with one hand and the chassis or trucks with your other hand. Pull until the shell separates from the frame.
Shown with the shell removed. Note: It may be easier to separate the shell by first removing fuel tank. The fuel tank is held in by double sided tape.
Shown with the shell removed. Note: It may be easier to separate the shell by first removing fuel tank. The fuel tank is held in by double sided tape.
Shown from the top. Remove the four highlighted screws. Set them aside for later.
Shown from the top. Remove the four highlighted screws. Set them aside for later.
This step is OPTIONAL but RECOMMENDED. Before installing the decoder, flip it on its back and cover the pads in the center. 1/4" Kapton tape is the perfect width, which you can purchase directly from TCS here: https://www.tcsdcc.com/1256
This step is OPTIONAL but RECOMMENDED. Before installing the decoder, flip it on its back and cover the pads in the center. 1/4" Kapton tape is the perfect width, which you can purchase directly from TCS here: https://www.tcsdcc.com/1256
Position the decoder so that the motor tabs and screw holes align with the frame, then re-install the screws you removed previously. Make sure the screws are tight, but do not over-tighten them or you can strip the threads. Your locomotive is now TCS DCC equipped and ready for service!
Position the decoder so that the motor tabs and screw holes align with the frame, then re-install the screws you removed previously. Make sure the screws are tight, but do not over-tighten them or you can strip the threads. Your locomotive is now TCS DCC equipped and ready for service!

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