Rather than starting a new thread I thought I would add to this one
My next install is in one of my favourite Diesels the v200 or BR221 as I have converted this model loco 6 times previously I was confident I would get it done without frying anything.
Firstly having tried a few different sized ESU speakers , I found that the 20mm x 400mm would just fit between the two poles(for want of a better description) that hold the body on to the chassis I did trim the tabs of the end of the speaker mount to make it fit though
The internal detail had to be trimmed away as well , a razor saw did that job with ease.
I also cut a slot in the bulkhead to hold the Decoder in place , plus created a small locating hole in the other bulkhead with a soldering iron without going right through the bulkhead. The ESU decoder has small bit sticking out at the end.So now the two poles in the body can slip down between the decoder and speaker .
I left the blue wire that brings the +ve pickup from the track (near side of picture) linking the two bogies and added a black wire from the front bogie to the body of the motor for the -ve pickup. The Motor bogie in this model does not have a dedicated -ve power pickup like the later models , though I have created one in converting this model before. I did not do it this time . There is a small amount of power transferred between the axles and the motor body.
I had to lengthen the Orange and Grey wires by a bit
. Wiring in Place the speaker next. I mounted the speaker on 6 little self adhesive tabs (came with the DCC Concepts Flicker Free kit)
Later I moved the middle tabs to be inline with the interior details so they blend in nicely
Speaker mounting is always a problem , I have been lucky that the locos I have done have room , over the non powered bogie facing down for one , in the centre facing down next to 4 open grills (each side) for the other. The speakers is just above the 4 grills and the grills extend past the ends of the speaker there is only a window between
There is normally some panels that can be seen through the grills , but only from the angle that I photographed so they should not really be missed.I also improved on the lighting a bit (partly using Richards advise) the LED's are placed in the original lampholders the ends filed flat as per normal and a dob of Tamiya flat white put on the end , it still allows a bit of light to through , but reflects more down for the other 2 lights.
Loco stopped - lights dimmed (rule 17)
and crawling forward (and out of focus)
The ESU decoders really surprise me in motor control , the Loco I converted a BoBo BR221 (a bit like the warship diesel) is 35 years old , bought second hand as a poor runner . it had so much dust caked on the power pickups that I though it would give endless trouble(glad it was dust and not WD40 or electralube residue). But I cleaned it out with a small screwdriver and when I tried it it ran OK so I did not do anymore to the wheels or pickups and installed the decoder , put it on the Programming track changed a few settings . These motors are very difficult to get running smoothly at slow speed with out lots of adjusting with the TCS decoders but it absolutely crawls along with the ESU. Only picking up on one bogie as well! I suppose the loco's all up weight of 570g helps as well. No problems across points and double slips no restarting sound files .
ESU suggest changing too values for the older Fleischmann Motors
CV 54 = about 14 - 18
CV 55 = 20
and that makes for very smooth running
.
Regards
Zmil
