I just finished installing LokSound Select Micro Direct (73100) decoders into Atlas GP30 and GP9. This thread documents the install for the GP30. First off is a video of the finished unit. I simply throttle up/down, with ESU's Drive Hold on, to rev the engines without having the loco move. At the end of the video are the install pictures discussed below The GP30 is a DCC ready frame, and one which the 73100 ALMOST works right out of the box! Just a couple of "gotchas" to watch out for. Here is a full view of the install You can see the custom enclosure I built for the speaker for this unit. The frame does need some milling, but not, as expected, in the back for the speaker. Instead, the channel over the motor needs to be widened. Besides my liberal use of Kapton tape, the two areas on the left, where the frame extends over the board, need to be cleared. If not, the frame can contact components (or even knock them off). This photo shows the area where I milled (pink boxes) You will also note two motor wires going to the motor contacts on the upper side of the board. On this specific loco, the brass strips coming from the motor were not in the best of shape and would not maintain contact. So I simply solved the issue by soldering wires to them, and then to the board. I also put some solder blobs onto the two frame pickup pads of the decoder which are under the large frame pads on the right. Speaker wires are the brown wires. Next is a close up of the rear and custom speaker enclosure Made from 0.020" styrene, the enclosure provides sufficient interior volume for the Soberton 8x12mm speaker. The enclosure's width is 0.357", and the height in the rear is 0.185". The length of the deep part runs 0.75 inches, with a 0.090" step to another 0.25" of length on the "porch". If one looks closely, between the enclosure and the board, just to left of the speaker (and large square chip), there is a 0.020" shim of styrene, which keeps the decoder and speaker apart. I used a warm white 1206 SMD LED for the rear light. Finally, as can be seen, there really is no room in the front for a regular LED, so instead of soldering another SMD LED, I used the on-board Aux-1 0402 SMD LED as the front headlight. Works just fine, as seen in video.
Here is a video of the two recent decoder installs (GP9 being other), along with a third loco (Atlas GP40 BN #180) owned by the client, after I got them all BEMF auto tuned and speed matched.
Hi to all Here is my install of an ESU LokSound into a later model Atlas GP30 (2017 version). I started pictures a bit late in the rebuild, sorry. Here is the frame after replacing the speaker in the fuel tank. I replaced the bronze tabs with wires. I soldered wires to the end caps of the brushes, and to the speaker tabs. Then routed the wires as shown on both sides. I put Kapton tape on the areas where needed. I did not reuse the large plastic spacer as the ESU board did not fit with it in place. Top view showing the Kapton tape. The wires were reused from the NCE decoder that I replaced. Now, time to solder wires to the decoder. The other two wires are now connected to the board. I spread the frame a bit then fitted the circuit board from the sides rather than sliding into place. Then, snugged up the frame, and replaced the clips. Top view after installation. Reloaded the new GP30 sound program, and tested. Works really well even without optimization. Before I replace the body, the pickup wires will be placed in the cutouts, and the Kapton will be squeezed down on the sides. I do not put any tape over the circuit due to potential heating issues.
Nice work, what size speaker are you using and did you make an enclosure or use someone's? You going to put up a YouTube? Sumner
Hi The speaker is ESU 9x16, fits in the fuel tank. The enclosure was the mating ESU single speaker with smallest thickness case so the overall height is about 4mm. It sticks out just a hair from the frame, but still fits within the plastic fuel tank. I am too lazy to do a YouTube...
