Fitting a DCC Decoder into a L & Y Pug

Hi All. I have been reading some good reviews on the service provided by Olivia’s trains at fitting DCC and sound.I have two tiny Locos, ex L & Y Pugs, but these are “ tiny in the extreme? “ . And I think that it would be a 
Bridge too Far , a very small Decoder is a possibility? But, sound as nice as it is would be pushing it ( unless all the equipment was in a coupled wagon ). Have any members had experience of their workmanship?
Best wishes Kevin 

Hi Kevin,

This is a very easy conversion, take the cab off and the motor terminals and RF thingy are exposed. Get rid of the RF stuff, solder up, decoder in the cab, job done. Sound will mean either squeezing a sugar cube into the cab, or getting into the boiler/saddle tank. Then you have to drill holes to let the sound out, usually at the bottom.  Small sound decoders have lower output than a regular sound decoder, and even with a high efficiency sugar cube it will sound, well, small.  And even smaller if the speaker is in the boiler. Especially when compared with a full size decoder. 


Small shunters would often pulled a flat bed with a coal bin, tool box, drum of water,  can of oil, good place for the decoder and the speaker. Means running 4 wires between the locomotive and the flat bed, as well as a semi-permanent linkage and micro connectors for the wiring. Plus pickups on the flat bed. Loooong job but not hard.


The model uses that 3 pole straight motor found in the Terrier and a low ratio gearing. And like the Terrier it runs way too fast and cogs at very low speed. DCC will handle the fast bit, it does improve the cogging. Most modelers go for a chassis and 5 pole skewed motor/gearbox from High Level that has a decent ratio for slow speed running (1:108 from memory). Makes for an expensive model.


Contact Olivia's and see what they say. Also check out TCS for the conversion, it is in their web site. Five minute job. You will probably pay more than the loco cost you though (you will have shipping costs to pay as well as the install charge).


Nigel

Hi Nigel. Thank you. You say that “ this is a very easy conversion “ , do you mean like on the road to Damascus ?Because to me it looks frightening, I originally had the idea of doing one of the larger type of Pugs first, which I have in abundance. Best wishes Kevin 

Are you thinking of doing this yourself Kevin - or sending it to Olivia's ?

If the latter, then as long as it works, it doesn't matter one jot to you how difficult it is.  If the former, I'd suggest you check the price of a "spam can" ………………

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

Are you thinking of doing this yourself Kevin - or sending it to Olivia's ?

If the latter, then as long as it works, it doesn't matter one jot to you how difficult it is.  If the former, I'd suggest you check the price of a "spam can" ………………

Hi Petermac. Thank you for your reply. Spam can? I am uncertain what you mean, but i have got half a dozen, or so, cheap Pugs to practice on, but as already stated my preferred Pugs are the tiny ones. Which would really test my skills or lack of skills. Best wishes Kevin 

"Spam Can" is the slang name given to theSouthern Region Bullied "air smoothed"  Battle of Britain class of locos Kevin.

So, do I take it you're planning to chip these locos yourself ?  Brave man !!!

[user=1801]Passed Driver[/user] wrote:

Hi Nigel. Thank you. You say that “ this is a very easy conversion “ , do you mean like on the road to Damascus ?Because to me it looks frightening, I originally had the idea of doing one of the larger type of Pugs first, which I have in abundance. Best wishes Kevin 

Hi Kevin,

Well, you can't get much easier than this one. Off with the cab, the vertical motor has the terminals on the top, snip, snip, off with the RFstuff, solder the two pick up wires to the red and black from the decoder, solder the grey and orange from the decoder to the motor terminals, cut a small slot in the backhead for the wires, put the decoder in the cab area, snap cab back on. By which time the kettle will have boiled for a cuppa.


I wouldn't call this a life changing moment. More a realization of how easy this actually is, quite an epiphany really. Why would you want to pay somebody to do it?  Practice on the cheapo pugs with a cheapo decoder. If you can solder a dropper to a rail you can install a decoder in a DC model. Sometimes a challenge to find some space. 


The only thing that requires a bit of care is keeping the hot iron away from the plastic body. Use double thickness pieces of damp kitchen towel over the body just in case.


Nigel

Hi Petermac.  Thank you for your reply. I had never heard that term before. When my Mother saw one in the NRM she thought that they were ugly.  Best wishes Kevin 

Hi Nigel. Thank you for your reply. If I locate the Decoder I will have a bash at that. But for the “everyday run of the mill Pugs “ I will purchase cheap Decoders .   Best wishes Kevin 

Hi Nigel Thank you again. But regarding the L & Y Pug that I would like to convert to DCC, we are taking at cross purposes. Although I do have the Pug that you describe, There is a photo in the gallery of the one in question.This one requires a screwdriver. Best wishes Kevin 
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