009 Society Members Forum

Modelling => Locomotives => Topic started by: mikem1alt on September 04, 2020, 00:09

Title: DCC in a Roco Diesel?
Post by: mikem1alt on September 04, 2020, 00:09
Has anyone put a DCC chip in the Roco 33205 Diesel either without a replacement motor or with? I am looking for advice
thank you Mike
Title: Re: DCC in a Roco Diesel?
Post by: B.Meldon on September 04, 2020, 08:40
I think these locos still have the open frame motor fitted from new, but they may have updated them to the can motor like the steam loco?

It will require de-soldering the components from the plastic contact plate and soldering on new wires to the contact plate and on to the contacts that attach to the original motor brush mounts. You also must do this (apart from the brush mount contacts) if you fit a replacement coreless motor.

Obviously, this will void any warranty you have on the loco.
Title: Re: DCC in a Roco Diesel?
Post by: Hobby on September 04, 2020, 09:31
https://tramfabriek.nl/images/img_1948-copy-2190.jpg

Looking at the above photo (from Sven's website) it would seem there's little if no space with the old motor. However if you could get a small enough chip then you could fit it in the roof of the cab but it would still be visible. You need to measure a few chips and the space on your model.
Title: Re: DCC in a Roco Diesel?
Post by: B.Meldon on September 04, 2020, 09:56
Yes Blair is correct under the cab roof is the only location and they can still be seen.
Title: Re: DCC in a Roco Diesel?
Post by: Hobby on September 04, 2020, 10:17
No worse than the motor in Minitrains locos, though.
Title: Re: DCC in a Roco Diesel?
Post by: mikem1alt on September 05, 2020, 21:48
Thanks to those who have commented on some good points there. I guess something could be wired via a wagon or truck in permanent arrangement but this would limit the type of operation. I shall post some photos of the motor later.
Title: Re: DCC in a Roco Diesel?
Post by: mikem1alt on September 05, 2020, 22:22
https://i.ibb.co/PQ9znyZ/IMG-20200905-221037-1.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/dp2cbNK/IMG-20200905-221103-1.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/F663GKZ/IMG-20200905-221135-1.jpg

The Roco chassis and motor I have for conversion
Title: Re: DCC in a Roco Diesel?
Post by: B.Meldon on September 07, 2020, 12:04
Quote from: mikem1alt on September 05, 2020, 22:22

(https://i.ibb.co/F663GKZ/IMG-20200905-221135-1.jpg)

The Roco chassis and motor I have for conversion
It looks like for DCC you are going to have to cut away the existing contacts that go to the motor, solder wires to the wheel contacts and then make new sprung contacts for the motor mounted on a new plastic isolating plate.
It will not be easy as you will have to take the loco completely apart to remove the contact plate so it can be modified and to solder wires to it. This work will obviously void any warrantee you have on the loco.

You could try removing the motor brush holders from the motor and then soldering wires on to them, but with the chrome finish they have it may not be possiable to solder them.
Title: Re: DCC in a Roco Diesel?
Post by: Graeme Dunbar on September 07, 2020, 12:25
I wonder if there is sufficient clearance to put a very thin piece of double-sided printed circuit board material in between the phosphor bronze (?) clips and the head of the brush holders? Then, wires could be soldered to the copper either side of the PCB.

There would need to be sufficient force and friction to hold it in place or perhaps a dab of glue where it would not affect conductivity.

There is thin PCB material used for flexible boards. Whether there it is available in small quantities at a reasonable price I'm not sure.

Edit: found this. It may be single-sided, but could be doubled up at that thickness.
https://thepihut.com/products/adafruit-flex-pcb-material-pyralux-6-by-6-square (https://thepihut.com/products/adafruit-flex-pcb-material-pyralux-6-by-6-square)

I'm sure there are other sources.