Brass Models ALCO RS-18

Scale:
HO Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:

T1



This installation of TCS T1 Decoder is for HO Scale Brass Models ALCO RS-18 and was performed by Jean Lacroix, Canada.

This model brass import model was upgraded by adding new wheel contacts made of phosphor bronze wires installed over insulated wheels. On this model, the body is attached with 6 screws located underneath the locomotive. Just removing the screws let the body free.
All the wires connected to the motor should be removed from it. The motor has to be unscrewed from its location since it could create an electrical short in dcc mode. To prevent that, install on the floor of the locomotive, where the motor was, a rubber pad or a piece of plastic large enough to isolate the motor from the frame. The motor should be glued in place using Goo or silicone, taking care to avoid any moving parts. Pay special attention to align the drive shaft and the motor sprocket.
The orange and grey wire from the T1 harness should be soldered to the terminals located on both side of the motor. Then connect the red wire to the top of the front truck. Then, it is the turn of the black wire that should be attached to the rear truck. It is a good idea to add new contact wires so the locomotive will run better under dcc.
In order to offer a good place for the decoder, a plastic floor was added.
The leds used for lighting were installed on a plastic shelve located on top of the motor. This has also the advantage to prohibit wires to get entangled around moving parts of the drive train. You now have to reinstall the body and the screws that hold the body.

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