Micro Trains FT's

[woodone]

Anyone do a DCC sound install on a Micro Trains FT ?  It is a lot like an Kato F3 or F7 but the chassis is much different.
Going to need some machine work.

 

[woodone]

Well it looks like I have a few lookers but no installs.
I have done two. After posting my first post.
I took a bunch of photos. Now to see if I can post the photos of how to do the install.
I installed an LokSound Micro Select decoder with an 9 X 16 sugar cube speaker. I also did work on the headlight and added an Mars light.
The lighting was the most time consuming.
Any help on posting the photos?
I am sure some people might want to do this conversion.
 

[thomasjmdavis]

I would be very interested to see it- although if I do sound it will only be 1 or 2 of the 4 MT FTs that I have- and any such projects are on hold while I remodel the basement and get some track laid.

I am curious, though,  what you mean when you say "It is a lot like an Kato F3 or F7 but the chassis is much different."  If the chassis is much different, in what way are they alike? (other than they are models of various EMD cab units)

[Paradise275]

Digitrax makes a DCC drop in decoder for this loco but not sound.

I have two A/B sets and they run perfectly.

Rick

[Paradise275]

The digitrax decoder is DN163MO

Rick

[woodone]

I would be very interested to see it- although if I do sound it will only be 1 or 2 of the 4 MT FTs that I have- and any such projects are on hold while I remodel the basement and get some track laid.

I am curious, though,  what you mean when you say "It is a lot like an Kato F3 or F7 but the chassis is much different."  If the chassis is much different, in what way are they alike? (other than they are models of various EMD cab units)

The Kato F3-7's use a one piece frame. The Micro Trains FT is a split frame. Both need to have a place machined to fit a speaker.
The FT's I machine a little off the top of the two halves to mount the decoder.

[woodone]

FT photos

[woodone]

Well that is one photo, but I got the wrong one first. I will try again.
This is the start.
Make sure you mark the top of the motor see tooth pick pointing to mark.

[woodone]

More FT photos
1st photo shows where I will machine the frames. 2nd photos the machined frame. I bolt the two halves together and then machine for the speaker. A very slight cut above the motor for the decoder to sit, I do file a small notch to insert a PC board strip that holds the motor contacts.
Next photos shows the PC strips. the larger one if for power pick up and the LED resistors.
last photos shows the original board- I remove the two motor contacts and solder them to the narrow strip.
more photos coming. slow go .

[woodone]

OK some more photos of the FT's conversion.
1st photo is the Headlight and mars light has it comes out of the loco. Be careful when you remove this part- It will knock out the number boards in the loco's shell. They are very small and easy to lose. Take them out before you try to remove the lens.
next is the H/L and Mars lights lens cut in two.
Next is the loco shell on the inside- there is a razed section that needs to be sanded or milled out to make more room see hashed marks .
I have to go and take more photos very hard to get myself in order here.
This is a very long process and we modelers need to thank those who take the time to post something like this.
Not something that I do very often. I have other projects for install on the work bench.
I will finish this one up if it take 30 photos to show.
Be back with more photos.

[woodone]

Back with more photos of the FT's
First photo is of the lens with the LED's glued on. you have to be careful to center the Led of the light will look odd. I use Bondic light activated glue.
It lets me put on a small drop of glue on the lens then center the LED where I want. then hit it with the light to set the glue. Great stuff IMO.
The second photo is of the lights lit up. A note about these lights! yYu have to paint the in used part so you do not have light bleed inside the shell.
Third photo is of the frame with the decoder and speaker mounted.
last is a different view of the frame and decoder.
The next thing is for me to mount the lights and hook them up to the out put strip at the front of the loco.
Be back to finish this up.
hope that I have not bored you with this.

[woodone]

Last photo. just before the shell is installed.
I have tried to show a short video but my file is too large.
Will work on that and see if I can't show the unit in operation with the last post.

[woodone]

DCC sound operation of FT

[woodone]

OKI give up-
I can't seem to be able to down load a video.
Hope the install may have helped someone.

[thomasjmdavis]

Thanks for all the info and photos.  I have this thread bookmarked for when (and if) I get to this project for my own layout.