I have just purchased a MTH 20-3023-1 Shay and need to convert it over to TMCC so I can run it on my Legacy/TMCC system. Is that just a matter of changing out the electronics?
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Well, the short answer is yes. Each job is a bit unique when doing these updates, but the mechanics are compatible with TMCC upgrades.
Sound will be the issue, but otherwise adding ERR in place of PS-1 system. And the good news is you have a 5 pin harness for feature control. G
Leave room for the Super-Chuffer and Chuff-Generator.
Ok looks like I have two projects to update to TMCC. GRJ, are both the Mikado and Shay appropriate users of the Super-Chuffer? I would like to add that to these two engines. I am a steam nut I guess. Thanks for the input and I will let you know how it goes...I will probably need some help as I get into these two projects. But now that I have my new soldering station I am ready.
For TMCC locomotives, any of them that you want good looking chuffing smoke are probably a candidate for the Super-Chuffer, that's the very audience that it was designed for. For the chuff switch, I also have the Chuff-Generator that allows you to generate a programmable number of chuffs/rev without sticking magnets to wheels.
Ok, sounds like a plan.
Q,
Generally, ProtoSound 1 steamers make quite excellent candidates for the the upgrades John and George already described - most already have fan driven smoke units and plenty of room for new electronics.
ERR's instructions are for the most part very well explained to make these upgrades easy, though I personally like to have at least 6-8 pins from engine to tender. ERR does offer pin tether connectors, but you can look for MTH 10 pin tethers used in Proto2 engines.
I'm doing one now in the MTH 1998 Blue Comet, and there is a lot of space to add these things, and it's one of the smaller Proto1 steamers. I'm already planning one in a RailKing C&NW 0-8-0...
I haven't actually opened an MTH Shay, but as long as the can motor and flywheel aren't obscured, you should be able to add the Chuff Generator as well as the Super Chuffer.