Kato F7 B TCS install ...

wombat457 Feb 21, 2018

  1. wombat457

    wombat457 TrainBoard Member

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    I finally got the nerve up to install the TCS decoder into my new Kato F7 B unit last night. Once I got the shell off the install was easy, or so I thought :(

    Please don't laugh at this as I knew it wasn't perfect at the time but, I had run out of Kaplon Tape so I used good old fashioned black electrical tape. Theoretically it should work.

    After using the electrical tape and getting the decoder soldered in I placed the engine on my test track and hit forward on the controller. Almost immediately smoke appeared from the board quickly followed by "flame". Naturally I stopped the engine and, for some inexplicable reason, hit reverse and excellent MORE smoke followed by MORE flame - the decoder was toast!

    Removed the decoder from the engine just to see, to my dismay, the electrical tape had folded up on both of the brass rails leaving the bottom and sides of the rails bear. As a result, it looks as though the motor tabs that solder to the decoder were touching the bear sides of the rails and bingo - two immediate and fatal shorts.

    Moral of the story - don't take short cuts, it could be costly :(
     
  2. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Yeah, electrical tape is really not appropriate, not because of its dielectric property, but because it's too thick as you've found out yourself. You really need the thinness of Kapton to be able to wrap it around the rails. Make sure the outer edges of the rails aare insulated with the Kapton tape. The wrapping of the inside edges are not needed.

    Good luck and sorry to hear you burned up a decoder. But it's a learning experience. :)
     
    wombat457 likes this.
  3. wombat457

    wombat457 TrainBoard Member

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    Yep it is indeed and thankfully the decoders aren't expensive and readily available. The "no questions asked life time warranty" by TCS takes a little of the sting out of it as well.

    Your right about the main issue with electrical tape is its thickness. I've always used the 1/4" Kaplon Tape recommended by TCS and have not had an issue when using it. Another decoder AND another roll of Kaplon :)
     
  4. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Elecltrical tape will also heat up inside the shell just from motor heat. It gets 'gooey' and just slips off the surface...even if it held nicely at first. I know because I have 2 really nice GP40-2 that take the CN-GP decoders and its what I used. Those two locomotives are now sitting on the rails outside the engine shop...not running...with fried decoders !! When I can afford two more decoders you can bet the bank I will use the kapton tape as intended! :(:(
     

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