So this one is sort of long...
N Kato Mikado with a Soundtraxx Tsunami installed a long time ago by Caboose Hobbies. The install was well thought out. Gave me something to study for the future.
The problem was that after sitting for years it was glitchy and reset constantly. Basically an intermittancy issue. Contacts cleaned, drawbar contacts re-bent for better contact, cleaned, lubricated. I added a small capacitor to help it stay alive over dirty and dead spots. Reset the decoder and it seems to be running correctly. Chuff rate needs a bit of adjustment still, but more importantly...it's alive!
Next, Kato SD40-2 mid production with an ESU 58741 'Kato USA' board and 15x8 speaker housing. Sound file was S I wasn't happy previously with the light output so I soldered in new larger 3mm round LED's and filed/ground them to fit inside the (tight) enclosure. The effect is much better.
Next up, 2 Kato PA1's and a PB1 in SP. The V5 micro won't fit in this application (as no matter how you machine, fit and contort, the shell won't fit on properly due to the Next18 plug) so it received slightly older ESU Select Micro decoders. Frames were machined for 11x17 speakers. The stock LED's were replaced, separate independent mars lights were wired in the A units. Sound file 75839 was loaded in. Lighting effects updated, cleaned, lubricated, tested.
Moving on, Kato SD70ACe with ESU LokSound installed. ESU V5 58741 board installed. Ditch light pipes separated out and 0402 warm white LED's wired to the board and a resistor bank. Large 3mm LED's replaced the stock SMLED's on the board. 3d printed speaker housing used along with a 15x8 speaker installed. Sound file S0822 loaded.
Next up, 3 Kato N scale E8's. These are from the most recent COLA release. Units dismantled and frames machined for ESU 11x17 speakers. ESU 58823 decoders wired in to modified light boards. Sound file S0761 loaded.
Speaking of E units, the next is the NYC E7 I posted a video of recently on how NOT to install sound. This unit has since been repaired, cleaned, lubricated and tested. Same deal as above E8's....I cut the frame deeper and installed 11x17 speaker and housing, modified the light board and removed the funky LED that had been installed. I also removed all metal chips. :)
Kato E8A in CB&Q is essentially the same as the UP units *except* lighting was modified so there is a separate headlight and mars light. Same deal though..unit dismantled, frame machined, everything cleaned and lubricated, light board modified, ESU 11x17 speaker installed. ESU 58823 decoder wired in and programmed to S0761.
Finally, we get to the F7AB set. These came with the NYC E7 and the original install was performed by someone who apparently thought dismantling a model and properly removing metal chips was difficult. At the end of the test video, I included the original teardown videos. (there are two).
Some of the issues addressed: Binding front truck- due to filings. Shells not fitting correctly- frame not machined enough, poor speaker selection. missing numberboard - my friends at Kato were able to locate me a correct one. :)
Anywhoo...frames remachined, debris removed, light boards modified to be standard with what I do, decoders reinstalled to be more standard with how I do them from scratch, decoders reprogrammed, clean lube test. etc.
I'm sure there's some random small stuff I missed in the writeups...ie, damaged coupler replacements, missing gray circuit board clips, etc. That just gets rolled into the cost of doing business.
Need YOUR Kato models converted to ESU LokSound? Feel free to send me a message on my facebook business page or email me for services offered, pricing and terms.
www.facebook.com/dufordmodelworks
kelley@dufordmodelworks.com
Anywhoo...I hope you all learned something. If not, I hope you were at least entertained and are having a great day! :)
