10 How to install a digihat | Converting a Farish loco for DCC

Converting some older Graham Farish n-scale locomotives to run on DCC requires that the motor brushes be isolated from the chasis. This can be done using a "digihat".
In this video I will have a go at fitting a digihat for the first time, in preparation for a DCC conversion of my Coronation class Duchess of Sutherland locomotive.
Parts used in this video:
* Digihat
* Graham Farish 372-180 - 8P No. 6233 "Duchess of Southerland" in LMS crimson lake livery.

[@garethrook2095]

Finally I understand how to do it. Going to do my little j94 saddle tank thanks for the video

[@naivegauge]

Glad it helped - I know how you feel. good luck.

[@garethrook2095]

Will you be doing a video on wiring in the decoder?

[@naivegauge]

yes, already made, and queued up. There is one on adding pickups to the tender, and then another on wiring in the decoder and tuning up the loco to run smoothly. when I started I though it would be a single video, but nothing is ever as simple as you imagine it will be!!

[@Buckbyspotter]

Just what I have been waiting for I will try and do my class 56 now, you made it look quite easy once you got stuck in.

[@naivegauge]

Don't be fooled - the footage was highly edited!!! However, now I have done it once it will be simple to do a second time. Be encouraged - give it a go and let me know what happens :)

[@stephenwalker6823]

I have used a number of Digihats (and an alternative make) and have found that for some locos, insulating the sides of the clip causes it to rub on the rear driving wheels. So now, instead, I bend the clip straighter on one side, slide insulation on and bend it back, so that just the flat base of the clip is insulated instead. The clip remains live, but is not in contact with the brush spring. I solder a thin wire directly to the end of the brush spring. This arrangement is slightly more compact and avoids problems with the driving wheels.

[@naivegauge]

Good advice. soldering direct to the spring must be difficult. What is the alternative make to a Digital?

[@stephenwalker6823]

@@naivegauge Solder sticks well to the spring material and, using a small soldering iron, it is easy to get the solder only on the very end of the spring.

[@clivemedley8538]

Great Video, I have been having a few problems myself. Think I can see where I was going wrong. Thanks for sharing!!

[@naivegauge]

Glad to help

[@BerlinCardYard]

Little tip: When you lay a pice of cloth in the tablett - all the small plarts and screws do not bounce away hiding in the carpet...

[@naivegauge]

Noted, and acted on!

[@wimbletrain]

Thanks for making a video on this. Recently I have been purchasing some used Farish locos off Ebay here in Australia. The first two I got were Chinese manufactured with the split chassis so were pretty straightforward to modify to DCC after I found out how. However the third one I got was a Class 47 and when I opened it I thought what the heck is this. After a bit of research and then coming across your vid I see its a model that was manufactured in Britain and needed the Digihat mod. I have ordered one so will give it a go when I get it. Cheers John

[@naivegauge]

You are welcome. I tried to make the video that I had not been able to find to learn how to do it myself. I am glad it as helpful.

[@andystocks3252]

I love your LMS train pulled by that engine…wish I could find a similar set…n gauge LMS from Era 3 seem very scarce!

[@melvinfackler8282]

Nice job- not for the faint of heart!

[@naivegauge]

Indeed, that was certainly how I felt before I tried it, but having seen what was involved I would happily do it again now. I think the key is to have a cheap second hand loco off eBay to start with, rather than something valuable and beloved!

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Fantastic, I admire you having a go at getting this loco running on DCC and really hope all goes well for you. I was less successful and vowed to buy at least DCC ready :( Must tell you, your first few opening words after the intro really made me chucke Referring to your new loco from ebay “it was cheap.... and has lots of wheels’. Im watching with interest, keep it up!

[@naivegauge]

Thanks for the encouragement! I have to have a go at these things, as it is the only way I will learn. Starting with almost nothing, I need to establish some sort of foundation to build future exploits on. I was watching a video of yours recently, and it occurred to me that I had seen your layout an an exhibition earlier in the year - Basingstoke?or Alton? or Eastleigh? Very impressed with the engineering in the train lift.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Naive Gauge most definitely and fully agree you have to find your niche and build your own following for that. I admire you doing it as its something I cannot do. Neither of my layouts have left the house. Piccadilly was started in October / November 2018 and Piccadilly Sidings was started in the last week of March this year. Thank you for your kind words, but am more pleased because you have started your own layout and are becoming an inspiration yourself.

[@roywhitgrove8058]

Well done, a cocktail stick is useful with the springs, and perhaps a bit of blue tack on the fiddly brush.

[@naivegauge]

Thanks. As with most things, it is all about having the right tool for the job.

[@AmauryJacquot]

there's visible digital zoom around 10:00 where you're showing the loco, the issue is that we can't see much, the pixels are way too big :-(

[@naivegauge]

you are right. I have since learned to film in 4k and then do the zoom in the edit afterwards. perhaps the next time I do a digihat I will try filming it again to get some clearer footage.