ESU LokSound into a Kato F3A

[RBrodzinsky]

After John demonstrated the relative ease of installing a LokSound Select Micro into a Kato PA1 (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=40835.0)  I followed his install and successfully updated my two DRG&W PA1s (along with a LokPilot into the B-unit)

Well, that got me ready to do the other portion of my California Zephyr's motive power, the Western Pacific F3 A/B/B consist.  I chose to only put the LokSound into the A unit, and use LokPilots in the two B units.  Since there is less length in the frame of an F3, I was worried about significant modification being required, but the design for this frame and shell leaves a large flat shelf.  Only a small amount of milling is required to ensure enough room for all components

This shows the area to be milled ("inside" the blue markings)
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and this is the fully milled out pocket
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Here I test fit an SBS 8x12 baffle in the pocket
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With the frame milled and cleaned, I created a "dummy" board from 0.020" styrene, to fit over the motor.  I made it the same template as the original boards, so that I could also use the small Kato retaining to keep the motor tabs flat.  Here we see a test fit of the components. I created a small board, with surface-mount 1.5K ohm resistors for the lights (on left); then the decoder; then two 16V 220uF capacitors in parallel, then the speaker.

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Here is the everything (but lights) wired up.
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This is short video of the unit being tested, without lights

For the lighting, I added 2 Mars lights, a normal white one for forward motion, and a red one for reverse. These are 0402 SM LEDs, and the headlight is an 0603 Super-Incandescent LED.  I also took the opportunity of having the loco completely apart to finally add some BLMA EMD details (windshield wipers, grab irons, ladder handles, etc.)

Here is the completed install.   I still have to do final customization (horn selection, speed table / matching with B's) this weekend

[reinhardtjh]

Looks and sounds great Rick!

[wmcbride]

Thanks for the photos; I have two to do. Sounds great!

Beautiful detailing on that F unit!

[ryan_wilkerson]

Well done Rick! Can't wait to see and hear them in person at the show coming up in a couple weeks.

[EspeeGoldenState]

Those sound great!

[Sdynamo]

Hi Rick,

For the BLMA ladder details, did you shave off the Kato molded on grabs or just install these over them.  I can't quite tell.

[RBrodzinsky]

Hi Rick,

For the BLMA ladder details, did you shave off the Kato molded on grabs or just install these over them.  I can't quite tell.

I just installed over them

[jdcolombo]

Excellent work, Rick.

John C.

[tehachapifan]

Nice installs!

That's the same sound file in the F3A that I put in my GP9 and it might be my favorite file yet. That file has a really cool "slow spitter" effect too, which is not the modern pop sounds but rather various long air releases. This can be set up to come on automatically.

[delamaize]

Looking at doing this install to a few of my F3s. I have a few questions though:
Which ESU Loksound did you use, and mostly, where did you buy them?
Also, What speaker is that, and if you had to do it again, would you still use the same speaker?

thanks

[RBrodzinsky]

This was a LokSound Select Micro, but today I would use a LokSound 5 Micro DCC. The speaker and enclosure here were 8x12mm sugar cube from Streamlined Backshop, but today I use the Soberton 8x12, with the Shapeways enclosure

I buy my decoders from Streamlined Backshop (SBS4DCC.com)