Has anybody had any success in converting N-Drive Chassis to DCC?
I have one I tried to convert but have yet to complete. The pickup plates, that form the sides of the chassis connect directly to the motor. The bottom one was easy enough to remove, however the top one clipped over the top motor connection and not only provided power but also held that end of the motor in place.
My first attempt was to unclip it, solder the grey decoder wire to it and surround with heat shrink. Then to clip the thin brass pickup back over the heat shrink, to hold the motor in place, caused it to snap off.
My plan is to put some brass tube over the heat shrink and solder to the pickup plate and hold the motor in that way. So far, after a couple of attempts it has failed to locate the motor in the right place.
It struck me before I have another go, or give up and buy another chassis, I would ask on here if anybody had had any success or tips for converting these chassis to DCC.
Thanks and Happy Christmas to you all
Mark
Perhaps a simple way to hold the motor down on this chassis may be to use enamelled wire, of the type used in transformers, around the motor and under the chassis. I have done this to good affect on several chassis including Ibertren and Arnold. Here is an example on an Ibertren chassis, this will give you an idea of what I am on about:
It may be a bit late now but when you come to order another chassis from N-drive if you specify that you want a DCC friendly version it comes with wires between the pickups and the motor which (on the ones I have) Neville just twists together for testing on analogue DC. To fit the chip you just need to untwist the wires to break the circuit between the pickups and the motor and wire the chip in the usual way (red & black to the track, orange & grey the other way).
Failing that Brian's suggestion of holding the motor down with enamelled wire should do the trick, but as an alternative any thin wire with an insulating layer should do the job.
You can also secure the motor by CAREFULLY applying a small amount of superglue gel or epoxy resin to the cradle that the armature housing at the rear of the motor sits in, gently seating it in the cradle without getting any glue onto the armature shaft itself and making sure at the front end the worm meshes properly with the gear wheel and then hold it steady until the glue goes off. I've done this on several Ibertrens and Arnold 0-4-0's and they have all so far held firm.
Mick
I use an idea similar to Brian's, but use ordinary cotton sewing thread. If you wind it round the motor and chassis several times, tie it in a knot, then secure it with a thin coat of glue (Evo stik impact or similar works fine), it turns into a strap which is quite strong enough but can be removed by cutting it with a craft knife.
Frank
Thanks everyone for your suggestions, the gives me a few things to ponder and try. I will remember about asking for a DCC friendly chassis next time I need one.
Mark