1) Ok, here's what I've done.... to make room (as there is no other room) is I cut the rear weight down (loco on left) by just enough to fit the decoder on top and route the wires forward and then to their appropriate places messed up? or it's o.k.? 2) What tape should I use in and around the motor areas, well, actually anywhere inside the shell?
not looking too bad. probably a good idea to trim back all the excess wire once you're sure the decoder is working properly. Less wire makes the shell easier to pop on. And keep the spare wires from the decoder.. just in case.. its saved me a couple of times now by measuring once instead of twice and screwing up. I just use electrical tape to isolate the motor once I've got the two wires connected. I put a piece of tape down on the workbench, and slice it down the center so it is only about 1/4" wide tops, and just pull it tight when i'm wrapping it around. Just make sure none of the solder or wire or anything manages to poke its way through the tape or Bad Things can happen.
not sure on how/why the motor gets isolated... wrap the whole thing like a birthday present, or just where it touches anything? Any pics would be VERY helpful!
wrap it where the contacts meet the frame.. the frame is the conductor between the trucks and the motor (at least in all my engines..not sure how other manufacturers work). the decoder, if you trace the wires, goes between the frame halves and the motor contacts. just isolate those. wrapping the whole motor would be back, as it wouldn't be able to turn with sticky tape all over the spinny part (thats about as technical a description as i can think of at the moment)
Mike, Motor isolation refers to the motor only recieving power from the decoder wires. If the motor gets track power from the frame or any where else with the decoder connected to it you'll let the "Magic Smoke" out of the decoder. Just make sure the motor brush terminals don't have contact with anything except the decoder. Hope this helps, Scott
magic smoke - mmmmm which ones are the brush terminals?? the 2 prongs that stick out with wires attached from the pickups?? pics???
