Arnold SW-1 second install with pictures

[rhiadon]

This time I decided to mill the frame a little bit to allow the wires to be recessed into the frame. This gave me a little more room for the decoder so the shell would rest fully on the frame.

I used surface mount LEDs for the front and rear lamps that are glued in place in the shell.

After all is said and done, the shell still doesn't quite rest fully on the frame. I think this is caused by the way I looped the accessory wires.

The other issue is that I built a shroud for the rear LED out of white styrene. The light shows right through it. Live and learn. I made a mistake and I learned something from it. Over all, this attempt is much better than the first. I'll post the pictures in two rounds.

Feel free to ask questions.

[rhiadon]

Second stage of pictures

[rhiadon]

Third and final set

[Viperjim1]

I have one I was thinking about doing now you have paved the way. And remember there no such thing as a mistake , just another way how not to do it.

[tehachapifan]

Nice install! Very clean!

If only someone would shave about .5 to 1mm of width off their 10.5 to 10.6mm wide micro sound decoders. The possibilities....

[peteski]

If only someone would shave about .5 to 1mm of width off their 10.5 to 10.6mm wide micro sound decoders. The possibilities....

If you closely examine circuit boards, there often is some empty space around the edges which could be easily filled down without affecting anything.  This is due to manufacturing tolerances (PCB manufacturers specify a minimum distance of traces and components from the edges of the board).

[tehachapifan]

If you closely examine circuit boards, there often is some empty space around the edges which could be easily filled down without affecting anything.  This is due to manufacturing tolerances (PCB manufacturers specify a minimum distance of traces and components from the edges of the board).

OK sure, but how much nicer it would be to not have to and have them already come that way. Plus I don't know if one could eek a whole mm of width off of one, which is about what it would take to fit inside, say, an Atlas MP15DC shell by my estimation. While I am a tinkerer, taking a file to, say, an $80 sound decoder also seems a bit spooky!

[peteski]

OK sure, but how much nicer it would be to not have to and have them already come that way. Plus I don't know if one could eek a whole mm of width off of one, which is about what it would take to fit inside, say, an Atlas MP15DC shell by my estimation. While I am a tinkerer, taking a file to, say, an $80 sound decoder also seems a bit spooky!

That is 0.5mm on each side. Not that much.  You should be able to easily tell whether it is safe to do so or not.  I'm assuming that the PCB is translucent (as most are). Just place it against strong light and look through it.  Of course the final decision is yours. 

[craigolio1]

How does it pull with so little weight?

Craig

[craigolio1]

Actually on closer inspection I see where they hid more weight. That's a really slick install. This should maybe be its own thread but can the LifeLike SW9 shell fit this chassis?

Craig

[Santa Fe Guy]

That is 0.5mm on each side. Not that much.  You should be able to easily tell whether it is safe to do so or not.  I'm assuming that the PCB is translucent (as most are). Just place it against strong light and look through it.  Of course the final decision is yours. 

Peteski you are absolutely correct. Some folks will not try to file down the sides whilst others will attack it with gusto. I had to file the insides of my FVM GP60 to fit a Loksound decoder and it took hours trying to ensue I did not go through the sides of the body. I too would love to see these sound decoder Mfg slim down their units so guys could just fit em without having to go to all this trouble.
Rod.

[rhiadon]

How does it pull with so little weight?

Craig

I've not attempted to pull a bunch of cars. I've pulled 4 max. With the tiny layout I currently have for learning, that seemed like plenty. This does have traction wheels which I plan to remove as soon as I can get replacements. I want all the electrical pickup I can get since there's no real way to get a capacitor in this thing as well.

[u18b]

If you closely examine circuit boards, there often is some empty space around the edges which could be easily filled down without affecting anything.  This is due to manufacturing tolerances (PCB manufacturers specify a minimum distance of traces and components from the edges of the board).

I have done exactly what Pete suggested several times for various locos.

[rhiadon]

And now a video of it in action pulling 10 cars

[tehachapifan]

Looks and sounds fantastic!