Installation Pictures and Information Index

Life Like Proto 2000 GP20 T1 Decoder Installation

Installation performed by Ross Wolf

Step 1: Remove the shell from the body (Photo #1 Loco Shell)

Step 2: Remove the existing circuit board and lighting bulbs. You will need new bulbs as the existing ones are low voltage. I used 3mm 14v GOW bulbs in the new installation. (Photo #2 Disassembly)

Step 3: I removed the weight to get better access to the upper motor clip so I could solder a new wire lead (gray wire). I re-installed the locomotive weight as shown (Photo #3 Motor Hookup). Be careful to make sure that the motor clip does not touch the frame or you will have a short. I used the existing Motor (+) wire (red) and connected it to the decoder orange wire.

Step 4: The left rail wire (black) was soldered to the existing solder connection on the front truck. I also ran a wire (black) from the front truck to rear truck so that you maintain the all wheel pickup contact.

Step 5: For the right rail connection I found that the weight frame served as a connection to the right side. I drilled a small hole in the frame and I filled the hole with solder and inserted the red wire in the hot solder. The frame is hard to solder on, but the hole provided the connectivity I needed. You could drill and tap a small hole if desired. (Photo #3 Motor hookup)

Step 6: Last I installed new 3mm GOW bulbs and connected them to the decoder per instructions. I positioned the decoder in the open area where the original circuit was and it fit snuggly without any trouble. I used stripped insulation from some #12AWG wire I had to make wire protection sleeves for my connections. You need to slip them on before making the joints and slide them over the joint. You can apply a little glue if desired to keep them place. (Photo #4 Final Decoder Install).