Adding Ditch Lights to a Kato SD70MAC Using the TCS K1D4

In this video I will show just how to add alternating LED ditch lights to an N scale Kato SD70MAC to DCC using the TCS K1D4 drop-in decoder board.
DCC Decoder Installation: • Installing a TCS DCC D...

[@shemp308]

Nice! Not having wires running from the shell was the best part!

[@timpearson9870]

Excellent again Jason, thank you... I have installed the K1D4 decoders now, all working well. Think I will try this on my oldest SD70MAC first.... Love all your 'disclaimers' in the video :)

[@ke4nyv]

Thank you for watching!

[@rolandlawrence2654]

Good video Jason. I will look at your decoder installation. What I wondered if you have installed a sound decoder and if you have done something similar with the ditch lights? Thanks.

[@ke4nyv]

I have not done anything with sound yet. I actually just orders my first ESU Loksound micro decoder and plan to put that into another Kato SD70MAC. I should be able to do the same ditch light conversion. Same goes for these, I should be able to reuse the LED's I just installed and just solder them to the new sound decoder to get the same function. Programming just might be a bit different.

[@patronza]

Good job man. What is the voltage of those LEDs? I couldn't see a resistor in line

[@Vman7757]

Thanks for sharing. Where did you find the colored tweezers? I have been looking for these.

[@timf2279]

Wow that was great. You make it look so easy.

[@ItsAboutTimeNow]

Great video Jason, Which LED’s did you use I can only find LED’s that need a resistor is line

[@paulturenne434]

These videos are superb !!!!! I just happened to find these today and am very glad I did.hanks for making these ,extremely helpful. Subscribed and hope you find the time to make more.BTW- your TCS decoder install in the KATO SD70 MAC ,as I just bought one and need to get one in.

[@ke4nyv]

Thanks for the great feedback! If you need more TCS gear, I am a licensed reseller 😉

[@timpearson9870]

Hi again Jason from UK. Managed to get this done yesterday and it works a treat! Do you know if the blink rate is adjustable in the cv's? I suspect it is, just need to look it up. ta mate..😁

[@SouthBrooklynRR]

This was a well explain video and honest to boot.

[@ke4nyv]

Thanks for watching!

[@daveyJ213]

How about I send my two SD40-2s to you and you attached the wires. My soldering sucks. How much would you charge me for that? Thanks. Awesome video.

[@crazytrain8290]

I enjoyed watching your video! I'm going to give it a try on my SD70mac's. Where did you purchase your wired LED'S? Thank you. Ed

[@MegaChallanger]

Do i need resisters?

[@Mike-rt3mw]

What size resistors do you use on your LED'S

[@scotabot7826]

Really cool. Thanks for the video. On mine I like the Peco led mounted in the ditch light itself for super bright scale effect. The lights to me are one of the most important aspects for prototypical modeling. I really like your method with the shrink wrap. Neat and very clean. Did you come up with this method yourself? Also, I'm sure your aware that you can get the led's with the leads pre-soldered on.

[@ke4nyv]

I did come up with it. When I realized the light pipes were already there, it was a no-brainer to use them to my advantage. We have been using a similar technology for warning/status LEDs on radio communications base equipment for decades.

[@billan07]

What is the source for the LEDs you use?

[@csnyder29]

Great video .. makes me want to give it a try!

[@ke4nyv]

Once you do ten or a hundred, it becomes second nature :o) Thanks for watching!

[@rayopeongo]

The Weller WSD 51 has apparently been discontinued/replaced. Which current equivalent model would you recommend? Have you created any "how to" videos for soldering, for instance, on how to solder power wires to the rails?

[@ke4nyv]

My wife keeps encouraging me to do videos on soldering. I recently converted my woodworking channel into more of a general building and design channel, including electronics. I'm planning to do some of that over there. Subscribe for updates. kzbin.info

[@brianw8433]

nice work - very interested in doing these to my gevos and sd70ACEs.

[@ke4nyv]

You'll be glad you did. Looks great going down the track. Thanks for watching!

[@01_this_dude84]

Same. But, the one problem is the shell is just one peice due to the prototype disign (

[@9milli4u46]

If I wanted to do this to a kato es44ac would I use this decoder and the same process?

[@ke4nyv]

Yes, same decoder and process. I am a TCS dealer, if you would like to contact me via email [e-mail]

[@keithkamps77]

Great Video

[@Fly-nf1hq]

nice job thank you

[@dacuzzz]

hello Jason... just watched this video... you did an awesome job with the install but i am disappointed that you did alternating ditch lights & here's the reason why i'm disappointed... BNSF does not use them... but like they say "it's your rail road"... vinny

[@ke4nyv]

I'm doing this ditch light conversion to all of my SD70MACs. Whether they are used prototypical or not ;) Thanks for watching!

[@williamh.vassar8936]

would be a better vid. if the hands were not in the way.

[@ke4nyv]

I invite you to take the time and make such video (including a half of a day to edit it). Have a great day!