Decoder fitting in a series 36 2-10-0

[andersley]

My Roco 58 (to be an SJ 36) needed a decoder. Fitting it in the firebox/boiler is a bit complex, so I fitted a Lenz standard decoder in the tender. It was stuck to the motor using the sticky pad supplied.


The tender top was cut away to clear the decoder




I will maybe fit a sound system in this loco eventually, so I did not connect up the wires for lighting, etc. They were coiled and taped above the decoder.


The coal was plugged back in place


A very simple conversion with no extra wires between loco and tender, as connections to pickups and motor are all within the tender

[Gorchi]

Alan,
this is even simplier than the guide I sent You the other day! Thank You very much for the tip!

Best regards,
Goran

[andersley]

Goran, I am always looking for the easiest option.

[flying scotsman]

This is realy good solution for the dekoder, I will probably do the same with mine br 58 too. But, without lights?

[andersley]

The original lights still work, but one day I will fit LED's and connect to the decoder - maybe.

[totimato]

The original lights still work, but one day I will fit LED's and connect to the decoder - maybe.

If you do, how will you make the connection? With a small connector or permanent set of wires (not possible to permanently remove tender).

How will (would) you hide the wires?

Kind regards,

[andersley]

I have not yet thought how it would be done, but I think the wires would need to be permanently connected between loco and tender, and could represent pipes which carry water to the loco. maybe.

[Gorchi]

Alan, You do not need to put more than 2-3 wires back to the loco. Therefore You can use some small connector which can be hidden either in tender, either in the loco. Now which connector to choose, that is different story. Usually the connectors have distance between pins approx 2,5mm while some time ago I have found a web site on eBay that sells connectors with 1,25mm spacing. Unfortunatelly the link has been erased but hopefully someone could provide us a web site selling such connectors.
Also a good idea was used by Rivarossi but they use 9 pin (!!) connector between loco and tender, also with such small space between pins.

Edit: here it is:
5er Set 5-polige Miniatur Steckverbinder - RM 1,27mm

[andersley]

Goran, miniature plugs/sockets are readily available here, I have used them in the past. They come in strips of 20 and can be snapped to provide 2, 3, 4 or any number of pins as desired.

[Gorchi]

Alan, where can one buy them? I can't find any such connector here in Slovenia?

[andersley]

I get most of my materials, tools, etc. from:

Squires
100 London Road
Bognor regis
West Sussex
PO21 1DD
sales@squirestools.com
01243 842424

They do not have a website yet - they have so many items, making a shopping cart would be an immense task, they also tell me they would need much better computers than they currently have! I usually telephone my orders but they do supply order forms in the catalogue and with each order delivered for those who prefer to send by mail.

They send out a 400+ page catalogue each year free to customers and potential customers, but not sure if they do this to overseas customers. Maybe an email will confirm this. They do supply internationally, but if neccessary I could obtain items for you and send over.

[andersley]

I just checked, and find that Squires now have the catalogue on the website as .pdf files.

http://www.squirestools.com

Look under Tools and Materials then at the bottom, Electrical Bits, etc.

[flying scotsman]

Maybe you need to take apart an old PC, there are many small conectors.

[Gorchi]

Alan, thank You very much! If You remember, we talked about brass primer a year ago or so and You also told me for squirres. When I was ordering the primer, they asked me also for a printed catalogue but since the postage was almost double I haven't decided to get it. So to see PDF's on therir website is pleasant surprise and I must admit that prices seems quite reasonable. The first PDF I've opened was the airbrush+compressors catalogue and I saw exactly the same compressor I have with almost half the price I bought it here. Okay, it seems to be no-name, mine has a name Sparmax on it but 200 EUR in Slovenia and 105 GBP in UK.. That's the difference!

Anyway I haven't found the connectors I have suggested You before. Maybe some local electronics shop near to You does have these connectors?

[andersley]

The connectors I have used are on this pafge, about 1/3rd the way down. http://www.squirestools.com/10-900.pdf

They are called Pin Strips and Sockets.

Squires prices are quite good and in the UK they include postage!

They have a huge sales stand at a number of exhibitions here and do a very big trade!