My standard to prepare drives
#1
I developed over the time a standard how I modify new and used engines entering my roster.
The modifications are done to
a. reduce weight and become therefor a more silent runner (loss of pulling power is not important on a small switching layout)
b. install a Zimo MX630 DCC decoder
c. install warm white LED main head lights (loss of functioning ditch lights is acceptable)
d. easy to remove shell
e. reduce free cables that tend to touch moving parts and create noise

The weights are removed and a custom PCB is mounted with double side sticky tape on the motor. The 6 line PCB is standardized 2 line power in (track), 2 lines motor power 1 line common power (blue) and one line split for front and rear light usually protected with 1.5kOhm resistors. The light lines are terminated with 1/10" plug connectors. the PCB should be as long as possible to keep the wires from the trucks as short as possible. They are a constant source of trouble when they touch the drive.
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The LED wires are bend into "frog position" and fixed with Kapton tape. That is as easy as it looks and is surprisingly solid method of mounting.
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The fixed LED is covered with black tape
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Finally connected to the drive and put on a test track. the correct polarity of the plugs is marked with a white felt pen.
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I did this standard procedure today on an old Proto2000 GP18 but I did it also on four brand new Genesis NS GP38-2. It is amazing how much and many cables Athearn stuffs into their models Confusedhock:

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Reinhard
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#2
Thanks for showing us that, I've used many different ways of reducing the wire mess inside locomotives, and the test pcb board you show is still one of the better ways of doing so.
The only problem I normally struggle with to find space for are the following items:
- The keep alive capacitor on sound decoders (usually attached with a pair of wires)
-the sound decoder itself, usually needing to fit on top of a motor, in very limited space, particular on older athearn engines with thicker shells, and higher older motors.
wiring running from and to light bulbs , but the micro connectors are a good option, I just haven't found the right type yet, I have struggled ordering the correct one, and got too big a size...

Koos
Be sure to visit my model railroad blog at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.namrr.blogspot.com">http://www.namrr.blogspot.com</a><!-- m -->
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#3
torikoos Wrote:... I just haven't found the right type yet, I have struggled ordering the correct one, and got too big a size...

Koos
Koos this is my last order at Conrad.de Each one has 40 connectors.

741333 PRÄZISIONS-STIFTLEISTE 1X40 VERG RM 2,54
741386 PRÄZ.-BUCHSENLEISTE 1X40 VERG RM 2,54

I assume they ship to NL and UK as well. Otherwise let me know and we will arrange it.
Reinhard
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#4
Thanks very much for the numbers Reinhard, I do order stuff from Conrad sometimes (most recently some conrad turnout motors).
conrad has both a UK and a NL website, so depending on where I am and where I want things shipped, I order accordingly, and will do so soon :-)

(update, order already done, and included some kapton tape too as I ran out :-) )

Koos
Be sure to visit my model railroad blog at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.namrr.blogspot.com">http://www.namrr.blogspot.com</a><!-- m -->
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