I just got the new Kato PAs in Rio Grande, but ran into a problem while installing the digitrax decoders. the front of the shell wont snap into place on the chassis all the way leaving the nose of the shell higher off the frame than normal. has anyone had this problem, or can anyone offer a solution? Thanks
Sean, I have the same PA's (sharp, aren't they?) but I have yet to buy decoders for them. My guess is doublecheck your work, maybe the decoder is not fully seated...
Hmm, are the new ones different from the older runs? I have a set of Digitrax decoders that I use in my older Kato PAs for convention running but remove for running on our club layout. I always make sure they are all the way down and slid back into place before putting the shell back on. Also the LEDs need to be bent slightly down in front to clear the nose.
Sean: It certainly sounds like your decoders aren't seating properly. It takes so time and patience to seat the decoders in Kato diesels. You might have to slide the decoder back slightly on the frame. Make sure there's enough Kapton tape covering the frame to protect the decoder. I just received my Kato PA's late this afternoon . I haven't had a chance to tinker with them. I bought two sets in ATSF colors so I can run an ABBA unit. They were very nicely done by kato. Stay cool and run steam....
seant, I have to guess, along with the other posts, that you haven't seated the decoders properly. I have a bunch of them, and haven't run into this problem.
Its possible that the LED might be interfering with the body. Check to make sure the LED is the same length as the original analog board. Why do I know this? Last weekend I was replacing decoders in some older PA's but using the new Digitrax F3 decoder. The LED was shorter than the old decoders and wouldn't allow the body to seat properly. The Digitrax decoders are all the same for E8's, PA's, P42's and F3's except for the LEDs. ** EDIT ** I'm assuming you're using the PNP by Digitrax.
Thanks for you guys help, I went back and found that I actually had too much kapton tape wrapped around the brass contacts, thus lifting the decoder board slightly too high for the shell to fit on. I took the tape off, and they fit fine. Mistake of an unexperienced "decoderizer" I suppose. Thanks again.
I sure hope you get this soon... I hope you didn't remove ALL of the Kapton tape.. Kapton tape is mandatory to prevent shorts, and thus, letting the 'smoke' out of your expensive decoders...
