44 Class

This blog covers the installation of an ESU decoder into the Train-o-Rama 44 class. The speaker used is a 1'' diameter QSI, but there is now an alternative to suit the factory speakers. 

Begin by removing both staff exchangers, this is done by simply sliding a screwdriver or similar under the side of the shell and extracting both staff exchangers, remove the couplers and then slip off the body. 

Note: the rear headlights are attached to the light board with two wires

Next, remove both speakers supplied by the manufacturer. Start by removing the black plastic lugs unscrew the retaining screw of the light board just enough to gain better access for the install. 

Place the lugs, screws, gaskets, and covers to one side. 

Next, remove the rear fan and cover. This is done by simply drilling the grey lug retaining the cap. Using a 2.0 mm drill or similar just spin with your finger till the grey lug is removed to the lid. 

Lever the cap away and store, we will not be reinstalling it. 

Cut both cables, install the brown speaker wire onto the lugs for the rear speaker as shown.  Drill a 1.5 mm hole thru the speaker and pass-thru wires, seal the speaker into the enclosure using PVA. Repeat where the cables exit the ring but do not get glue onto the speaker during this process. 

To fit the speaker to the existing cutout, apply a little contact adhesive to the edge of the enclosure and while wet fit to the enclosure to transfer a bit of the contact adhesive. Allow to tack off and then fit the speaker as shown opposite. 

Connect speaker wires at point A-B, and there is no specific order, then decoder speaker wires at the rear as shown.

Trim excess heat shrink at the rear of decoder this will ensure a better fit, best done with a sharp blade. The rear wall can also be removed to improve the available space is another decoder is used as it does not affect the final appearance.

Re-install the original factory speaker retainer as shown.

Retighten light board screws only after all wires and lugs are refitted. Now tape the decoder into position and plug into the 8 pin socket provided. 

The locomotive has 12 pin socket, make sure the plug is installed into the correct part of the socket [refer photo]. Fit jumper provided, note jumper wires must run across the locomotive. 

Note: This jumper links the front speaker to the decoder via the factory-supplied PCB

Place locomotive on the track and hit the assigned start button, your 44 will now spring into life. Once satisfied refit body, staff exchangers and couplers, set the locomotive address and its ready for service.

30 Class Tank Lighted

The Auscision 30 Class is also supplied in a lighted version and is tighter that the non lighted model blogged previously.tank has no real space for a sound decoder and thus has to be installed in the cab area. This conversion dose require use of small hand tools to complete the necessary modifications

Begin by removing the cab roof, this is clipped in at the front and rear and can be removed 
using a small blade screw driver, next separate the bunker extension located on the top of the coal bunker, these are mounted by a small moulded lug into the all metal coal bunker. 

To remove the coal bunker locate the two screws securing the bunker on the underside of the footplate, these are be removed with a small Phillips head screwdriver. Do not remove the screws under the side bunker

See photos for clarity, place the screws and bunker to one side.





With the parts separated modify the cab rear and bunker extension as shown below. A fine razor saw and file are required to complete this task. Remove the glazing before modifying the cab then mark the glazing from the cab and modify as required then reinstall with a small dot of contact cement.

CAB MODIFICATION - numbers are in mm
Note clips that secure the cab

BUNKER EXTENSION MODIFICATION - numbers are in mm

The decoder loom is to long and we chose reduced the overall length to 30 mm - speaker wire should be 35 mm. 



Note: The MRRC will modify this with a charge at time of ordering. The location of the #1 pin [Orange wire] means that when soldering the wires to the plug that this be accommodated - see diagram opposite.

This is required to allow plug to be installed into the socket


The installation of the SoundTraxx Econami UK creates a number of issues over a ESU in that a capacitor is required and requires a edge port speaker to prevent crowding the cab area. The speaker used has a 6 ohm impedance and if the master volume and in particular the whistle a kept at about 2/3 maximum volume this will be OK.

The capacitor was fixed in the mouth of the firebox door and painted black after marking the negative [grey stripe] clearly. Glue with a dot of contact on the base ,set aside to dry.

Comment
Refer to blog on installing a ESU decoder into a non lighted 30 Class for additional information

Ixion 32 Class

This blog cove the installation of a Soundtraxx Tsunami with stay alive into the Ixion Class

Installation
This could be described as a relatively easy installation

Remove the tender, this is secured by three [3] clips located along both sides of the tender floor. The best method is to insert a single edge blade in the gap between the shell and floor and lever open the tender from both sides.

One removed to disconnect the plug to the rear marker lights and place the shell to one side

The installation required the addition of an 8 pin plug wired the NMRA standards and trimming the loom to about 30 mm long. 

Do not cut the yellow-green wire of the purple speaker wires.

Next, remove the factory speaker mount and trim off all the lugs. 

Dress the underside if the factory supplied board and fix to the tender floor using a cardboard insulator and contact cement - this is outlined in the instructions for the Wombat  30T.

Install to the image below, the speaker is fixed at the rear using contact cement leaving enough room for the Lasic small stay alive. This as also secured with a drop of contact cement thought blue tack would work

The decoder is installed on its side in a bed of blue tack.

To allow the shell to be re-fitted the internal weight need to be relocated into the coal bunker. The first task is to remove the lower lip on the underside to allow a neat coal load to be formed. The weight is glued providing an opening all the way around three [3] side again for the coal load.

Material Required

Soundtraxx TSU1000 Tusanimi 2 custom programmed by MRRC

MRRC Micro Boost Large

Lasic Small Stay Alive

HMA Crossing Gates

This blog covers the use of an NCE Light-It to operate the LED's on an HMA Crossing Gate #2407.

Installation
The positive [5 VDC] from the Light_it was connected to the red positive of the HMA Flashers which are arranged in pairs left/right-ha side.

The decoder was connected for testing on its loco address of #3 and using programming on the main [POM] the relevant CV's 137/138 were set to effect 9 for a Phase A.

The user has a choice of DC / DCC for operation and in DCC can use a loco or accessory address. When using an accessory address, additionally have the option of syncing the flasher lights using a combination of option 9 / 10.

The simplest way to operate these would be to use DC and a BOD20 or other device to apply the power across the Light-It connection.  This project is for a customer and will feature full flashing lights/gate operation and sound controlled using an NCE Mini Panel.