Tsunami in an older Kato C44-9w

[tnt_trains]

Has anyone ever put a Soundtraxx decoder in an older Kato C44-9W? I am having trouble with this one and have already smoked one decoder. I have heard some mutterings about grounding the motor or something but I am not clear on this. I could use any help. Thanks in advance.

 

[ICG/SOU]

I have, but how old is your Kato?

The motor should already be isolated from the frame. The TSU-KT1000 is just about a drop in fit, replacing the light board, adding 2 LEDs if necessary (if yours has the ditch lights), and making room for a speaker. I had to mill the frame a little for the speaker enclosure, but everything else went ok.

 

[diburning]

Check the board. The reason is because the board with the clip contacts is prone to shorting out against other components.

 

[tnt_trains]

I have, but how old is your Kato?

The motor should already be isolated from the frame. The TSU-KT1000 is just about a drop in fit, replacing the light board, adding 2 LEDs if necessary (if yours has the ditch lights), and making room for a speaker. I had to mill the frame a little for the speaker enclosure, but everything else went ok.

I'm not sure exactly how old, I bought it on Ebay, but I believe it is the first version of the C44-9W. I was told that the motor is NOT isolated and that's where I am lost. How do you isolate the motor?

 

[diburning]

Pop it out, cover the spot where the motor sits with tape, pop the motor back in, and it's isolated.