AZL SD70 & DCC

Can anyone suggest how to put a decoder into the AZL SD70? Do people offer that service? Should I wait for the AZL "drop in decoder?" Does any one offer this service? Are there instructions anywhere?
Regards,
Jack

Look at the Medford photo galleries and you will see a typical wiring job picture.
Allan Borg

You don't want to wait on the AZL decoder as the manufacturer screwed up on it twice in a year and we still do not have one so AZL cut them off. We're starting all over again. I personally had offered to prepay in cash for the entire project or guarantee a minimum quantity so that it would get done but a company got involved in it. I said why not let an established corporation pay and manage it instead of me but look where it got us.

I don't have the links here at work but:

Digitrax DZ125 (with out the wrapper), Lenz Silver Mini or the CT Elektronik DCX74 will fit in an SD70 (hi nose) easy. The low nose is somewhat more difficult as there is less room in the cab.

Remove shell
Remove clear light tube
Remove cab (this is NOT easy) It must come straight off and the front two 'hooks' are not easy to get out of the main shell and they really don't flex too many times.
Place electrical tape across top of chassis under where the cab was (the entire lower 'nose' area).
Remove the cab floor.
Remove the copper strips from the sides of the light circuit board.

High nose cab: follow the instrucions below
Low nose cab: See "Low Nose Instructions" below.


Mount the decoder on the flat chassis nose area.
Trim the dedoder wires to length and connect the decoder wires to the appropriate terminals. I don't have the document here for this and the AZL manual included with the loco may still be incorrect. The AZL site has a correction as do others that post here (I'll get it later tonight or likely tomorrow if not). The Blue Function Power wire is not used. The colors on the right side of the circuit board will be Red Orange and White. The colors on the left side will be Black, Grey and Yellow if I am not mistaken.

Test the decoder without putting the shell on !


LOW NOSE INSTRUCTIONS:

The decoder has very little room as it has to go up within the cab itself.
With the cab off the shell, snake the decoder wires thru the shell where the cab was. DO NOT PUT THE CAB ON yet.
From the shell inside, wire the decoder with the full length (or near full length) to the light board connections.
Test the decoder with the cab and shell off.
If all is good, place the cab back on the shell and make sure NONE of the decoder wires get shorted.

FOR ALL INSTALLS AFTER TESTING:
Replace the clear plastic light bar.
Tape and secure the wires so the do not pinch when the shell goes back on. Twist the decoder a bit to fit up in the cab if needed.

Jeff
SF Bay Area Z

Good morning, Allan:
I'm not quite sure what you mean by "he Medford Galleries." Could you provide me with a link?
Thanks.
Jack C.

Hi Jack,
I think Allan is referring to a photo (Decoder install SD75i)in my gallery (jlundy46) of a CT Elektroniks DCX75 decoder installed in an AZL SD75i. However, unlike others, I did not install it in the cab, but removed the rear light to make room for it. You have to turn the decoder diagonally to fit under the shell. I have since noticed that there are some problems with the contacts on the front of the board, but perhaps a little solder on them might tighten them up and improve conductivity. The DCX75 is narrow so it is a decent fit. I'm not sure about other decoders.

John