anyone know if I can buy a new frame and fuel tank cover and put my old shell on it? Will I need to buy another frame also?:question:
My friend has completed a similar project for his 1st gen Kato SD40-2; he's used a 'Sugar Cube' type speaker in the long hood of his SD40-2. And it sounds pretty good too.
I just installed one in mine. Digitrax soundbug with the original speaker removed and a "sugar cube" box speaker substituted, the capacitor and speaker were mounted on a card shelf over the rear truck. plenty of room down there. edit; ( ah I see my friends are already typing about me ) I'll see if i can get a picture later. This install was for the sd40 with solid frame and fuel tank but no extra weight block above the lighting board.
Decoder Install Here are some photos of my install. Not quite finalised yet some things still to be fixed down and two functions still to be worked on.
Nice photos Allen; of course I've had the pleasure of seeing and hearing it 'live' :teeth: Better write up a 'step-by-step' to go alongside the photos...
Is it one of the KATO SD40-2's with the electrical wiring problem? If so, that may affect things - those were famous for having troubles due to a bad design by KATO for pickup.
The ones with the problem are scaled up versions of the N gauge design , two brass power strips along the sides of the frame resting on tabs over the trucks.
I found that soldering to the pickups in a Kato made it more reliable. Another option that I use alot instead of mounting the decoder to the roof, is to use a Digitrax KO165 on older Atas and Kato with the straps comming from the motor. There are two small sturrups on the decoder for these to attach to, and it mounts in the old stock boards mounts above the motor. In other Atlas and Katos that have wired motor connectios I use the Digitrax AO165 which looks just like the KO165 but it doesnt have the sturrups for the straps (same price. When in doubt I buy the KO165). As I have found with the purchase of a new Atlas RS-3, they have a new plug and play using a Digitrax IP165 or simular plug in decoder. ( Hobby shop didnt tell me that it was that way. should have looked at the expolded assembly before I bought the AO165,s) And if you want sound later you just plug in the sound decoder and a small speaker like he used in the SD-40.
