S-Helper Service Locomotive | F3

Manufacturer:

S-Helper Service

Product Category:

Locomotive

Model Name:

F3

Notes Type:

Electrical

Title:

MU Cables

Notes:

The MU cables between these engines only synchronize the motor current; they have no effect on the sound of the engines.

Manufacturer:

S-Helper Service

Product Category:

Locomotive

Model Name:

F3

Notes Type:

Electrical

Title:

Lights

Notes:

Don Thompson warns to not plug DCC decoders into this engine without dealing with the headlights first. The headlights are 5-volt bulbs, and they will blow as soon as the decoder receives power (usually around 12 volts). One option is to consider replacing them with LEDs and a matching resistor. The same applies to class lights, numberboards, and Mars lights, as applicable.

For the dual-headlight models, Rich Gajnak provides the following information. These engines have bracketing to both lights on the cab interior casting. Note that both the SHS and MTH models are the same, except that the SHS models use lightbulbs (see note above) and MTH's have LEDs. These models have the active headlight in the upper opening regardless of whether it is a single- or double-light version. Real-world F units have the MARS light (when so equipped) in the upper opening and the headlight in the door. For the SHS F units the lights are wired to different pins on the 8-pin DCC plug. Rich swapped the lights at the cab interior casting on his models.

Manufacturer:

S-Helper Service

Product Category:

Locomotive

Model Name:

F3

Notes Type:

Electrical

Title:

Printed Circuit Boards

This board is for the A-unit with LocoMatic, either AC or DC power, with sound (part #01200).

This circuit board is for the F3 A- and B-unit, with DC power, non-sound version (part #661-X004R1).

This photo shows the 661-X004R1 circuit board installed.

The F3 A- and B-unit DC shorting plug. These should only ever be used for S-Helper Service F3 engines, otherwise an engine can be damaged.

Manufacturer:

S-Helper Service

Product Category:

Locomotive

Model Name:

F3

Notes Type:

Electrical

Title:

LocoMatic to DC Conversion

Notes:

Converting these engines, with LocoMatic factory-installed, to a plain DC version, requires the removal of the LocoMatic unit and adding a DC-shorting plug to each of the engines. The MU cables are then no longer needed. Test each unit individually for proper starting direction (if running in a multiple-unit consist).

Manufacturer:

S-Helper Service

Product Category:

Locomotive

Model Name:

F3

Notes Type:

Electrical

Title:

LocoMatic to DCC Conversion

Notes:

Converting these engines with LocoMatic factory-installed to DCC, S-Helper Service used the QSI Revolution U F3A decoder. It provides the slightly higher power that the engine needed, and it also supported the 5-volt supply for the lights. These are likely no longer available, but it gives you an idea of the amount of current these engines needed.

Manufacturer:

S-Helper Service

Product Category:

Locomotive

Model Name:

F3

Notes Type:

Electrical

Title:

DCC to LocoMatic Conversion

External Web Link:

LocoMatic 10-button Universal Sound Controller

Notes:

To do this conversion, you must use the LocoMatic board specific to the F3. Do not use the LocoMatic board of an F7, as they are not the same.

For multiple-units (MU) hook-ups, you will need two sets of MU cables to connect between the engines. An alternative to the MU cables is to find an F3 LocoMatic board, for each engine in the planned consist.

Don Thompson recommends only using the Dallee 10-button Controller, because otherwise operation of the engines is not ideal. His advice is that, since these parts were created around the year 2000, it might be cheaper and easier to buy a DCC system than to try to find the LocoMatic boards, unless you already have them.

Manufacturer:

S-Helper Service

Product Category:

Locomotive

Model Name:

F3

Notes Type:

Electrical

Title:

Soundtraxx Tsunami Sound Decoders

File:

Soundtraxx Tsunami CV Factory Settings

External Web Link:

How to Use This Decoder

Notes:

The original sound decoders were manufactured by Soundtraxx. Don notes that these boards had two tiny circuit-breakers that would be triggered any time more than 12 volts was applied to them, and they would require a reset by Soundtraxx.

S-Helper Service installed these in their F3 models that were using the Soundtraxx Tsunami DCC decoder, only. This diagram shows how the various wires are to be connected. This version is for the models that have Mars lights.

S-Helper Service installed these in their F3 models that were using the Soundtraxx Tsunami DCC decoder, only. This diagram shows how the various wires are to be connected. This version is for the models that don't have Mars lights.

Manufacturer:

S-Helper Service

Product Category:

Locomotive

Model Name:

F3

Notes Type:

Electrical

Title:

QSI Revolution Sound Decoders

File:

QSI DCC Installation Document

Notes:

At some point in the production, S-Helper Service switched away from the Soundtraxx decoder for these engines, and started using the QSI Revolution sound decoders. This was due to the current-draw that maxxed out what the Tsunami could handle (this was the original Tsunami; the Tsunami 2 may be able to handle it).

S-Helper Service Locomotive | F3 | Electrical