First Generation Kato F7 decoders?

[MichaelT]

Good evening,

Anyone had any luck putting a decoder into a first generation Kato F7 engine??

[trainforfun]

I did a few and also 4 of the first F3 , I sent the frames to Aztec ( I am just a customer ) and they milled the frames for me . The cost is $ 10 per loco .
I then installed decoder DZ123 from Digitrax in them , this is a hardwire modification , the locos are performing flawlessly .
Here is the link for Aztec if interested .

http://www.aztectrains.com/

http://www.aztectrains.com/pages/DCCFrames.html
 

[Walkercolt]

Aztec and the DZ123 is probably one of the most cost-effective solutions. There are a couple of other ways to skin the cat I've read, but they make my head hurt just to read about them. One involved etching circuit boards(or available from one source) and building your own decoder. Hint: He sells do-it-yourself DCC "kits", and MR has given him alot of press over the years on his electronics. If you don't know who I mean, then I'm not giving him free advertising, if you do, he's not one of my favorite people for somewhat biased reasons.