[steve dk]

Hello
This is my first time in this forum,and I am interested in how to convert 20 or so old locos with X04 motors to run on DCC?
I have read the examples written by some of the people in the forum,but I am still not a 100% sure what to do!
The old old locos have only one pick up wire, and all the fitting instruction I have seen show two wires Red and Black!
Has anyone out there either a foto for an installed decoder in an old loco with a X04 motor, or a wiring diagram?
Thanks
Steve dk

 

[Brian Considine]

Hi Steve & welcome to the forum.

First thing to do is to make sure that the locomotive is running 100% . Check that all the pickups are in order & the motor is nice & free running. Make sure that the motor does not run hot. A good X04 will run well on DCC with a decent decoder.

Remove any capacitors/supressors (usually a small disc thing, often a yellowy/orange colour).
Connect the red wire on the decoder to the insulated pick ups.
Connect the black wire on the decoder to the chassis.
Connect the orange wire on the decoder to the motor brush that used to go to the pick ups.
Insulate (most important or the decoder will fry) the other motor brush & connect it to the grey wire on the decoder.

As it's unlikely that you will need any of the functions insulate the remaining wires from the decoder.

Remember - a good runner will run better on DCC, but a bad runner will be worse.

Hope this helps.

Please let us know how you get on.

 

[Doug]

Look at some of our reviews.

This one gives some good basic methods that should apply to most older locos: http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index...page=DCC-Basics

 

[steve dk]

QUOTE (dbclass50 @ 15 Jan 2008, 21:37) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Steve & welcome to the forum.

First thing to do is to make sure that the locomotive is running 100% . Check that all the pickups are in order & the motor is nice & free running. Make sure that the motor does not run hot. A good X04 will run well on DCC with a decent decoder.

Remove any capacitors/supressors (usually a small disc thing, often a yellowy/orange colour).
Connect the red wire on the decoder to the insulated pick ups.
Connect the black wire on the decoder to the chassis.
Connect the orange wire on the decoder to the motor brush that used to go to the pick ups.
Insulate (most important or the decoder will fry) the other motor brush & connect it to the grey wire on the decoder.

As it's unlikely that you will need any of the functions insulate the remaining wires from the decoder.

Remember - a good runner will run better on DCC, but a bad runner will be worse.

Hope this helps.

Please let us know how you get on.
Thanks a lot I will try!
By the insulated pick up wire, I take it you mean the (Brown)pick up wire on my old hornbys?
Also I should insulat the V spring with Heat shrinck as I have read about in the forum
Again thanks alot which decoder would you recommend?
Steve dk

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (steve dk @ 16 Jan 2008, 06:52) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>By the insulated pick up wire, I take it you mean the (Brown)pick up wire on my old hornbys?
Also I should insulat the V spring with Heat shrinck as I have read about in the forum

Yes - I could not remember the colour.

Heat shrink is ideal to insulate the "V" spring.

 

[steve dk]

QUOTE (dbclass50 @ 16 Jan 2008, 07:57) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Yes - I could not remember the colour.

Heat shrink is ideal to insulate the "V" spring.
Super thanks
Which decoders would you recommend,and roughly how much do they cost?
I am now living in Denmark, so I will have to order them from England.
Steve dk

 

[34C]

Steve,

If any of your XO4 motors run hot on DC, seriously consider getting a new super-neo magnet (adverts in all the major modelling mags). This will protect the motor coils from burn out, and provide noticeably superior performance under DCC control. There is a big variability in XO4 magnet quality: some earlier motors I have are as good as the day they were made, others weakened years ago; but a replacement is an instant cure.

To get the smoothest and quietest possible performance requires a decoder with 1A continuous current capability, high frequency drive, and back EMF, and ideally some tuning capability. The Lenz gold/silver/standard types, or Zimo MX 63 both work well in extracting good performance. There has been a strong recommendation for the TCS back EMF decoder on this forum, as possessing similar performance at a very competitive price, but have not had the chance to try it yet.

 

[steve dk]

QUOTE (34C @ 16 Jan 2008, 11:30) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Steve,

If any of your XO4 motors run hot on DC, seriously consider getting a new super-neo magnet (adverts in all the major modelling mags). This will protect the motor coils from burn out, and provide noticeably superior performance under DCC control. There is a big variability in XO4 magnet quality: some earlier motors I have are as good as the day they were made, others weakened years ago; but a replacement is an instant cure.

To get the smoothest and quietest possible performance requires a decoder with 1A continuous current capability, high frequency drive, and back EMF, and ideally some tuning capability. The Lenz gold/silver/standard types, or Zimo MX 63 both work well in extracting good performance. There has been a strong recommendation for the TCS back EMF decoder on this forum, as possessing similar performance at a very competitive price, but have not had the chance to try it yet.
Thanks for the information
Steve dk

 

[Brian]

Hi
I have covered the XO series motor conversions on my web site for some considerable time now. Look under the sub heading '3 or 5 pole open framed motor' on this page - DCC XO Motor conversion
The main things as previously stated are 1) That the loco runs well under dc control and 2) The choice of decoder. I personally prefer the Lenz Standard or their Silver decoders, but as I say it's my own preference.
Good luck with the conversions

 

[Basil]

Tr this super website for full details of dcc connections etc. Very good on diesel type locos but not on the older style steam locos (my main interest).

The O4X motor is fairly straightforward and the posts above cover it all.

This forum rocks (in the model railway sense etc)

Follow the link

http://www.electricnose.co.uk/dcc/dcc.html

Viva ferroviarri