Kato Series 885 White Sonic DCC fitting?

[ste234]

Hi guys,

Just a quick question!

I have a Kato Series 885 White Sonic, and recently changed my layout to DCC, however, I can't seem to find any information on how to make this model DCC!

I have had a look at the instructions (no help there, all in Japanese!) and also had a quick look inside the unit, but can't see any motors or connections etc!

 

Second question, do i need a decoder for the directional lights aswell?

 

I'm considering maybe sending it off to be done, depends how hard the whole process is, I'm not the best soldering small fiddly things!

Thanks,

Steven

[KenS]

I don't have direct knowledge of this train, but the model number (10-286) is an older one, so the tooling probably predates Kato's "DCC Ready" design. That's not universal, as Kato reworked some of the older designs without renumbering them (I have a 10-261 Yamanote E231 that's DCC ready).  The DCC Ready sets take Kato's EM13 motor decoders and FL12 cab decoders, and will have small hatches on the underside of the cab cars, and a removable cover marked with an arrow on the underside of the motor car. 

 

The white instruction sheet that comes with a DCC Ready model will also have the letters "DCC" in several places, including the list of cars.

 

Without that, you'll need to use wire-in decoders, as described in several other threads here about Kato EMU models (they're all fairly similar, except for individual differences in the cab car light boards for the head/tail lights.

 

Either way, you'll need three decoders: one for the motor (which isn't in a cab car normally) and one for each cab car's lights to make them directional.

[Bernard]

I have the 885 White Sonic and what Ken has stated is what you'll need to do....you will need 3 decoders for the train if you what light control of the head and tail cars. To wire the Motor you will have to solder the decoder in place (unless you use the KAto slide in decoder) The decoder install for the Sonic is the same for the majority of Kato passenger sets. You will need Kapton tape to isolate the motor.

Here is one I did on a 500 Shinkansen: http://www.jnsforum.com/index.php/topic,155.0.html

But take a look in the DCC platform and there are lots of posts for installs for motor and head & tail car lights.

Good luck.