Old N scale Atlas SD7...Decoder?

french_guy Mar 3, 2021

  1. french_guy

    french_guy TrainBoard Member

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    I did a quick test (w/o lights for now)..........and it works just fine
    My "homemade" PCB board (copper tape on 0.02 styrene) seems to resist solder just fine !
    Quick question though: on this engine, what is supposed to be the front: Is it where the engraving is (17724L) or is it where I've installed the decoder?

    20210306_121801.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2021
    Sumner likes this.
  2. french_guy

    french_guy TrainBoard Member

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    Well, since the picture shows "L" in the engraving, I guess it means the front is where the decoder is......?
     
  3. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Yep - the "L" signifies the left side of the frame (should be an "R" on the other half)
     
  4. french_guy

    french_guy TrainBoard Member

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    Ok, thanks....so now I need to find 3mm warm white leds
    Amazon has some, but it's a bag of 100 pces...I don't need that much
    My local microcenter didn't have any white led....a bunch of colors, but none in white!!!
     
  5. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Note that the sides may say L and R to help you put it back together, the real loco's "front" can be determined by looking at the shell. Usually there is a small "F" on the walkway's edge. That tells you how the prototype ran it in terms of which is front.
     
  6. french_guy

    french_guy TrainBoard Member

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    Here is how I did the rear light board.....copper tape (2 layers) over 0.02 styrene.....
    So far so good, it seems to work (i did try with 1 layer only, but the styrene melt !) 20210306_220854.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2021
  7. french_guy

    french_guy TrainBoard Member

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    Done, finally. And........................it works (y)
    I'm not using the common (blue wire). I will see if I keep it like that or cut it
    When I think about that DZ123 that I purchased almost 15 years ago and never installed......Well, I'm glad I kept it !!!
    That was my very first hard wired decoder installation actually
    20210307_170548.jpg
     

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