As a DCC newbie, I'm assuming that Kapton tape is used as an insulator? If so, is it used as an extra measure against accidental shorts here? It looks like there's sufficient space to avoid contact between the circuit board and the chassis.
Looking at the instructions looks like you don't need any tape since the motor contacts are directly under the board and are contacted like they were by the light board. The drop-ins that require the tape are usually the ones where the new decoder's motor contracts straddle the outside of the frame to make contact with the motor. Sumner
if you really want kapton tape [and you don't have to have it], the best place to look is ebay ... differing widths and lengths, shipping is a bit high, but you can get more than one roll, lol
I'd go by what the experts say. I am wondering why there is Kapton tape on the actual decoder? My decoder for the P42 had it on there too and I removed it. My P42 did Require Kapton tape cause of the other contacts under the board for the default DC one. My ES44Dc's were just a drop in. super easy to install. Yours looks like there are 4 contacts just like the DC default one? Are the contacts just on the Top or top and bottom on both default and DCC one? I had to watch YouTube videos and then ask here, like you did, to verify Never hurts to double check! Or triple check Don't see your exact one on YouTube? Good luck!
i have added kapton tape, but never between the decoder and frame, always on top of the decoder , mind you all have been HO
The piece of tap you see attached to the decoder goes on the decoder’s bottom side. It provides an insulator between the decoder & chassis in case the decoder makes contact with the frame. Putting it on top would be waste.
