Transplanting a Kato motor into Athearn RTR

[071]

Hi there helpful diesel detailers!

I am currently working on rebuilding an Athearn RTR GP40X wreck. I have been working on the detail which some of you very kindly advised me on.

Another thing I wish to change is the motor. Unfortunately the Athearn motor is not very smooth at all, and I have read elsewhere that the Kato motor is a very good replacement that is straightforward to fit. As yo can see below I picked one up.



However, I'm not sure how to wire it up! Is there any advice or any good tutorials out there with pictures (or video) which can show me how to do this installation step by step? I wish to wire it up for DCC.

Any help would be gratefully received!

Many thanks,

Fran

[Deleted]

Wiring the motor itself is a simple case of removing the two leads from top and bottom of the Athearn motor and solder them to the brass strips top and bottom of the Kato motor. Obviously the longer brass strip is on the bottom of the motor so it can reach the Kato lighting board that is intended to sit on top, though I realise you won't be using that.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using ProBoards

[071]

That sounds very easy, thanks mate! Thought it would be more complicated than that, will have the iron out and give it a go!

[Deleted]

Wiring the motor itself is the easy part, its the wiring of the ancillary's such as lights and sound which is the more complicated part.

[spike]

Before going to all of the trouble of the transplant, double check the gears for flash and spurs. i had a blue box GP38-2, which I gave to my nephew. Before giving it to him, I went through everything. The gears were the main trouble.


After going through the gears, it was running any bit as good as any Kato!