Is DCC install in the new DE10 still complicated?

[Kiran]

I am going to get this DE10 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10682348.

 

It sounds like the DE10 decoder installation is rather complicated according to http://www.sumidacrossing.org/ModelTrains/ModelTrainDCC/DCCDE10Kato/.

 

I wonder if the newer DE10 has the same challenges or does anyone know if Kato made any changes to the tooling? Is there room for Loksound micro and a speaker or am I asking for too much? 

[chadbag]

I don't know if they are using the same internal design or not (I suspect they are).  @Sheffie I believe has the 2-DE10 set that this one is part of???  And might be able to show us the internals?

 

However, I suspect in any case you won't find room for a speaker without lots of milling etc in the cast body parts.

 

 

[katoftw]

Pretty sure is just takes a plug and play decoder.

[chadbag]

9 minutes ago, katoftw said:

Pretty sure is just takes a plug and play decoder.

 

The sumida crossing shows a drop-in but some milling needed to make it fit since the light board being replaced has fewer components on it it sticking up or down.

[Madsing]

My DE10 (Kato 7011-2) is fitted with a Digitrax DN163K4A. No milling required (there are no components on the lower side of the decoder), pretty straightforward to install, just make sure to properly isolate it from the frame.

 

[chadbag]

I'll have to see how easy my TCS equivalent drops in.  I have a KATO DE10 and should have a TCS K1D4 of some sort to try.  Thanks.

 

[chadbag]

So I tried to upgrade my DE10 (7011-2) with a TCS K1D4 (not the NC version).  The regular (non NC) version has two soldered brass "wings" that replace the removable clips to attach to the motor.  I had to cut them down to be a similar size to the clips so that they would fit.  I isolated the frame and motor to avoid shorts with the board but I must have missed something as I think I shorted out the decoder.  I was never able to read from it or get it to work.  I spent way to long re-isolating things etc before I gave up.  I will attack this problem again at some point in the future.  I have a few more K1D4 decoders 🙂

 

(The K1D4 is compatible with the Digitrax DN163K4A in size and layout)