Best place to tuck a decoder in an Athearn "Piece O' Poop"

[dablaze]

I am working on a project for a friend who likes " cost efficient" products...its an Athearn F7 BB and he wants a DH123. I know there's been a lot of discussions on how to install with the super mega weight in there and cutting bits off etc, but he purchased this one with no weight at all. Its going to be (or now kinda/sorta is) a hard wired decoder with 2 LED's for the 2 head lights. I just want to see A- what people suggest for a way to fix the 2 leds for 2 headlights in place and B Where to stick the DH123? (I have seen it tie wrapped to the top of a bees nest of wires on top of the motor, but i was thinking of creating a styrene shelf/pocket at the back of the body to stick it in.

Any suggestions, tricks, tips?

Thanks
Craig

[Mark R.]

In the old BB F7's, the easiest way to mount the headlight LEDs is to get a piece of tubing (metal or plastic) that has an inside diameter the same size as the headlight opening. I use aluminum tubing myself. File the end so the contour fits the inside of the shell squarely and glue in place. For those large openings, I use warm white 5mm LEDs and they fit the tubing perfectly. Don't forget to seal the back of the tube, or paint the back of the LED black to prevent light from coming back into the cab.

As for mounting the decoder, your imagination is the only limit there. I've attached them to the roof with double-sided foam tape, mounted them to the top of the motor and even made custom cradles from styreen to mount them where they are most convenient for wiring everything up.


Mark.