Keeping Connectors when swapping out old Onboard Decoders

curtis

curtis

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I'm curious how people handle swapping out old onboard decoders. I've got 3 locos due on the workbench which came with the onboard decoders

I'm swapping out my preferred decoders to kit them with sound and powerbuffers.

My question is around the existing connectors. Right now, most of the accessories use Mini-CT cables (below) to plug into the board. The easy way to do this is to chop these off and write straight into the new decoder. I'm somewhat loath to do this should I ever want to restore the loco. My current plan is to build a small interface PCB with Mini-CT (female) connectors I have to hand and wire this into the new decoder - keeping the removed one in storage.

It got me thinking about how others have approached this so thought I'd ask here.

Bonus question to the group - Does anyone know the component name for the fatter 4min plugs LGB uses (either from the track/motor or from the cab switches). Struggled to identify the name to buy some female components.



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Rather than creating a separate plug board on the off-chance you might reconvert or resell just keep the plug ends and resolder them. I have a bag full of these from conversions to ESU 5 XL, Massoth XLS, or Soundtraxx Tsunami decoders that use screw terminals. It takes 5 minutes tops to resolder the 2-pin connectors and cover the joints with heat shrink.
 
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curtis said:
I tried to find some on rsexports but couldn't. May just order a selection so I have them.

Diesel2000 Diesel2000 - so you're saying just snip and keep them and if I do decide to restore/resell, I can just reattach? That's what I've done before but always felt I was wrong in doing it.
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We often get too agitated about resale of locomotives, so if you do eventually get rid of a loco and resolder the original connectors and all works well when you sell it, who is going to pull it apart to look for the kind of evidence that a loco has been ‘messed with’?
 
curtis said:
I tried to find some on rsexports but couldn't. May just order a selection so I have them.

Diesel2000 Diesel2000 - so you're saying just snip and keep them and if I do decide to restore/resell, I can just reattach? That's what I've done before but always felt I was wrong in doing it.
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Yes exactly, just snip to install the desired decoder and if you decide you want to put the original board back in just reattach the connectors. Not sure what would be 'wrong' about that. If someone is buying a used loco there really isnt an expectation that everything including wiring is original. This may offend some collectors, but as someone who has a pretty large inventory of LGB from the 1980s-2020s thats how I feel about it. I want to actually use my trains and not just look at them :)
 
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