Is there any substitute insulating tape that can be used for yellow Kapton tape? I just opened 6 packages of Digitax decoders that were supposed to contain it. None did. Thanks, Ben
Johned53 suggested I try his method, and it worked. Here is the thread One thing I do with the kaplon tape is throw it away first. I always use the fiberglass reinforced packaging tape. It's ultra sticky, stays put forever, and is thicker than the kaplon, not allowing any "rub throughs" over time. The first decoder that I ever fried had the kaplon tape fall out of place, allowing the factory smoke to releasemg: Since then, over 15 years ago, I've never had a decoder failure due to rubbing the frame
Thanks. I have a roll of Scotch "strapping" tape that has reinforcing fibers and feels very sticky. I'll try it. Ben
For some reason the Scotch strapping tape did not work. Maybe it is conductive. I tried 3M vinyl electrical tape and it worked. My first decoder installation up and running. Ben
Ben: The yellow kapton tape is wrapped around each Digitrax decoder and piece of foam that ships with the decoder. The Kapton tape allows the decoder to "breathe'. If you use a heavier tape there is a good chance that too much heat will build up and cause problems with the decoder. You can buy a roll of Kapton tape that should last you for many years of installing decoders. Stay cool and run steam....
Bob, The decoders I bought were loose in the plastic sleeve that also contained the instructions. No foam, no tape. Digitrax is sending me some Kapton tape to make up for the omission. I'll probably redo the two locos with it just to be "legal". Ben
Kapton tape can be bought in 3 different widths and from a 3 foot piece upto a full roll at Litchfield Station: http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php?cat=173 Good prices on lots of DCC stuff!
Ben: Over the many years I've been using Digitrax plugNplay decoders for those loco's that I don't hardwire with Lenz decoders, I've always received the decoder attached to a stick of foam and then in turn, wrapped with sufficient Kapton tape to install more than one decoder. The Kapton tape is also available in large rolls at Tonys Trains. (www.tonystrains.com) at a very reasonable price. Stay cool and run steam......
Bob, This week I received from Digitrax a replacement for a decoder that couldn't be repaired. Actually what I received was a rebuilt one judging by the blob of solder where the LED had been replaced. Anyway, this decoder was tightly wrapped around its middle with Kapton tape - NO foam, only the Kapton tape. I removed the tape to use in my installation but the decoder would not work. Do you think there is any way that removal of the tape rendered the decoder inoperable? Or was it simply a way of providing Kapton tape? Others have suggested coating the back of a non-working decoder with Kapton tape to be sure it is fully insulated. Surely Digitrax wouldn't rely on this type of "fix". Ben
Ben: I can't understand why Digitrax didn't send you back a new decoder. Removing Kapton tape shouldn't have any effect on a decoder. I always place Kapton tape underneath a decoder to insulate it. Send the decoder back to Digitrax and state that you want a new decoder returned to you. Note: Just order a roll of Kapton tape from Tonys Trains. It'll will last for many years and hundreds of decoder installations. Stay cool and run steam...
Bob, Thanks. I just wanted to make sure removing the tape was not the cause of it being inoperable. I was surprised to get a rebuilt one myself. If it had worked it would have OK. But I will ask for a new one when I return it. Ben
Well, getting a new one won't be easy. Digitrax service advises that the non-working decoder I sent (163K0A) is no longer produced. The 163K0B replaces it, or so they say. We'll see, provided they send me one that actually works. Ben
What is it with Kapton tape? It won't come off the backing paper easily, at least that supplied with NCE decoders. Maybe a split backing piece a la thermal transfer labelling (Brother, Casio, Dymo type) would be a good idea ? *hint hint*
Gary: The very large roll of Kapton tape that I have has no backing. It just rolls out when you need it. Cut the size piece you need a la "Scotch Tape". Stay cool and run steam.....
The small strip that comes with Digitrax decoders don't have any backing paper. Just rolled up on itself like a roll of Scotch tape.
NCE supplies a 2" (or so) strip of it with backing paper ACC'ed on! I swear. Mind, only in the plug and pray decoders have the tape supplied so far. I may have to source additional as I get into the hard-wired jobs before long.
McMaster-Carr has Kapton tape. http://www.mcmaster.com/ctlg/DisplC...83758045949&ScreenWidth=1024&McMMainWidth=805 And there's also http://www.kaptontape.com/ (believe there's a $50 minimum order though)
I'm told that N Scale Supply sells it by the yard. Also in rolls for about $20. I didn't find it on their online catalog so you will have to ask. sales@nscalesupply.com Ben
I could not believe the cost of Kapton tape, and yet I know lots of people who abuse the stuff. I got a package from someone off ebay that was taped shut with Kapton! There must have been $20 retail cost worth on the box! I thought I had seen it all, when at work, someone had used our Kapton Tape to tape up signs all over with the machine numbers. I asked the guy what he was doing and he said he could not find any other tape, (he did not want to leave the fab to get some, because it is a hassle to get in and out of a bunny suit) Then I seen the icing on the cake. My friend comes over with a 16" x 20" box of Z Scale train structures he has collected, and the box is completely wrapped in Kapton Tape! OMG! You have got to be kidding! He used a whole roll of the stuff, a $50 roll! At this I said "WHY?" Kim told me he's got dozens of rolls of it, that were left over from a project. It holds no value to him because it don't stick well to many things. I asked for a roll for myself, and now I have a lifetime supply of this amber gold! So, why does it hold great value to me, where everyone else treats it as discardia? Kapton is the stuff that they wrapped the lunar lander in. That gold foil looking wrapping was Kapton! It has a very high dielectric, which means electrons don't travel through it, or along it's skin like scotch tape or other cellophane tapes. It is also very thin, at least the Kapton Tape we get for electronics use. And one other important property, is it's high heat tolerance. As the electronic components on a decoder get hot, they can't melt through. I think it is good up to about 400 degrees or thereabouts. It don't stick well, but is good enough for decoders. None of the decoders are wrapped in Kapton that I know of, rather they are wrapped in heat shrink tubing. Unless perforated, Kapton don't breathe. Well that's all I know about Kapton, but that said, I have used standard black electrical tape successfully, as well as double sticky back tape. The voltage is low enough on our decoders that almost anything will work fine, but for tight spaces, high dielectric, and high temperature use, thin Kapton tape is about the best choice for decoder installations.
