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December 6, 2001 (updated March 29, 2002)
I have been notified by Larry at LifeLike Products
that they are aware of the potential shorting of the S1
and will be offering a remedy soon available to
all users.
Proto 2000 S1 May Blow Decoder
Buy Life-Like Locomotives
The DCC ready, Proto 2000 S1, Alco Switchers may
blow DCC decoders that are either plugged into the NMRA socket or
hardwired. Although the trucks are isolated from the frame and thereby
the frame is isolated from track power, the positive motor connection
is tied to the frame at the bottom motor brush area.
In the event that the loco de-rails and the truck/wheels
come in contact with the frame, track power will go through the
frame and short to the bottom motor brush, which will most likely
destroy or damage the decoder.
The solution is to isolate the bottom motor brush
from the frame using an insulator and connect the decoder orange
from the DCC NMRA socket bd directly to the bottom motor brush.
We are looking at several simple options to remedy the problem and
will post details soon.
We do not view this as a reason not to buy or use
the S1. Consistent with the Proto 2000 tradition, this is an excellent
locomotive.
In view of the above, use caution when operating
on DCC and watch
for details about a remedy from LifeLike.
Proto2K S1 Followup
As a followup to your Proto 2000 warning about blowing
decoders:
I added a Digitrax DN121IP decoder to a new S1 today. The lower
motor brush is grounded to the frame by means of a wire lug attached
to it which is bent so as to contact the loco frame. All I had to
do to successfully isolate the motor was:
1) Remove the lug on the orange wire from the frame.
2) Cut the lug on the lower brush so that it doesn't
touch the frame and solder an orange wire to it.
3) Place a small square of insulating tape into the
well in the loco frame where the lower brush holder sits.
4) Run the new orange wire up to the Lifelike 8-pin
plug and replace the existing orange wire.
5) Remove the board and plug in the decoder. Place
180 Ohm resistors in line with each bulb.
5) Very Important: The loco will run backwards. To correct this
program CV 29 to a value of 7.
Ken
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