R2LC08 with prongs

That was an oddball that K-Line did, and I never did figure the reason.  I had one with a bad R2LC, and I just modded the motherboard to use the pins so a standard R2LC would work.  It didn't take any more space than this backwards rig, so I have no idea why K-Line did that.  Obviously, you'll have to replace either the connector on the R2LC or on the motherboard.  If you replace the one on the motherboard, first off it's easier as it's only a 2-layer board, second it's good for any future R2LC change.

Anyway you could assist me with that?  I'm not sure of what all is involved.

Well, you have to remove the motherboard from the locomotive.  Then what I do is pry the black shell off the 24-pin connector, that leaves the contacts in the board.  You can then secure the MB in a vise and heat each pin and pull it out with needle-nose pliers to remove it.  I clean the solder out the holes and then solder in the dual row 0.025" square post header.  Obviously, you want a decent soldering iron to do this, I use 550F on my workstation for this kind of work.

Thanks John, I just sent you an email hoping we could discuss this offline.  

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

That was an oddball that K-Line did, and I never did figure the reason.  I had one with a bad R2LC, and I just modded the motherboard to use the pins so a standard R2LC would work.  It didn't take any more space than this backwards rig, so I have no idea why K-Line did that. 

A lot of us [licensees] wondered about that.  It was just K-line seeing how far they could push the envelope with Lionel by going directly to SDK (Sanda Kan) for boards.  Much legal back stories for when we can sit for a while with some adult beverages.  

Lou N

Lou, that makes perfect sense, I couldn't think of any other reason.

I got one of these!  Never had a chance to try it.   Back around 2010 Mike Reagan was out here in Utah and I asked him what it was for - K-Line Shay.

R2LC C08 code with male pins!

Jim

It's also in the K-Line Tank Engine.

So it sounds like the Shay and the Tank engine both use this oddball setup. I wonder if there are any other K-Line engines like this?

John, you wouldn't happen to have a source for the 24 pin male header handy, would you? It sounds like it would be smart to have at least one in stock. 

Rod

The dual-row 0.025 square post headers are readily available on eBay and other Far East vendors in a host of heights for peanuts.  I typically buy them in bulk as I use them in other projects.

Here they are on Aliexpress.com.

10Pcs 2.54mm 2x40 Pin 80 Pin Gold Plated Header Strip, $2.69 shipped

Remember, Flights from China are currently non-existent. I've been waiting on a few batteries for my RC helicopters since the end of February.

Chris, shipments by air are slow, it took me about three weeks to get a DHL shipment that's normally a one-day affair.  However, the slow boat shipments have been coming in pretty normal 3-6 week times.

Thanks for motivating me to try the R2LC08 w/male pins I have.  I used a IDE Hard Drive cable to plug into the modular TMCC test board - this allowed me to get past the male to male connectors.

The board won't program, but some functions respond to ID #1.  Rear coupler fires consistently and smoke light goes on, but no response to movement.  Looks like I finally know it isn't any good - into the junk box it goes.

Jim 

That's why I just fix the motherboard, no worries about finding an oddball R2LC.

@Jim Sandman posted:

Thanks for motivating me to try the R2LC08 w/male pins I have.  I used a IDE Hard Drive cable to plug into the modular TMCC test board - this allowed me to get past the male to male connectors.

The board won't program, but some functions respond to ID #1.  Rear coupler fires consistently and smoke light goes on, but no response to movement.  Looks like I finally know it isn't any good - into the junk box it goes.

Jim 

You have the part to mod your motherboard on the R2LC08 pop out the header and install it on your MB.          j

JohnActon - I have no need to modify anything.  I'm a Lionel Service Center, I was just checking (on a stand alone TMCC test stand) to see if the part I've had in my inventory for 8-10 yrs was any good...  If so, maybe it could have helped the topic starter.  At worst I know the board isn't worth keeping.

Jim

@Jim Sandman posted:

JohnAction - I have no need to modify anything.  I'm a Lionel Service Center, I was just checking (on a stand alone TMCC test stand) to see if the part I've had in my inventory for 8-10 yrs was any good...  If so, maybe it could have helped the topic starter.  At worst I know the board isn't worth keeping.

 

Jim

Sorry I got you confused with Gregcz1.          j

No problem JohnActon.  Your idea is right on for others in the situation.

Jim