Hi everyone. A couple of you e-mailed me after seeing the video I posted a link to a few weeks ago asking how I converted the Berks to DCC. So I put together a document that explains how I do this. There are a couple of other "how-to" articles on converting the Berk to DCC, but all the ones I have seen require you to drop the drivers and completely disassemble the chassis to do it. My technique avoids this by using a small piece of heavyweight paper shoved between the frame and the lower motor brush contact to insulate the lower motor brush. I've converted 9 Berks using this method, all of which run flawlessly - and a couple of these installs are now 3 years old. The PDF document I put together is too big to post in a single file, so I split it into 5 parts and will post each part separately. I've included a lot of photos to show exactly what I do. The conversion uses a Lenz Silver Mini mounted (stuffed?) in the cab. If anyone would like the single PDF file instead of five pieces, please e-mail me at jdcolombo@comcast.net and I'll e-mail it back to you (about 800mb for the complete file). Part 1 of the PDF is attached; it covers removing the shell. John C.
Here's part 4, which shows how to wire up the light board. Note that this is the LED board, used for the 2d-run on (the first run used a light bulb wired into a slot in the frame, and some of these bulbs ran so hot that they melted the smokebox door and headlight assembly). John C.
Here's the last piece with the final assembly details. This is still not an installation for the faint of heart, but avoiding dropping the drivers and taking the chassis apart might make it a possibility for more people. John C.
I can testify to John's method. It was the first conversion that i have ever done and that was 18 months ago. I had never done any soldering, any disassembling, basically nothing but following John's teachings, I have done 2 LifeLike Berks with complete satisfaction. Thye are still running great. I also endorse his use of double sided tape for traction. It is extremely easy and very effective. I admit to no trying BF Snot but when it pulls 30 cars up a 1.3% helix why try something different and somewaht more expensive. I have to say that I admire the originator of BF Snot because I was about to contact an old office mate who was one best practical and innovative chemist that i have known. However, we all need to go the direction that works best for each of us.
