Finally installed 73100 in my Atlas n scale GP35

[Southern1970]

So after being inspired by John Colombo and Rick Brodzinsky, and having purchased a loksound 73100 decoder a year ago I finally decided to install it in one of my fav locos - an atlas gp35, as it is one of my better running locos.  I followed the advice from Ricks GP30 sound install, but unfortunately I got a bit carried away with the widening of the channel (also my custom enclosure was too long).  While the decoder worked with sound while the shell was off, when I took the loco off to put the shell on when I returned the loco to the track I heard a horrible sound from the speaker.  I took the shell off and realised the decoder had moved and the right hand side speaker pad on the decoder had contacted the frame (bye bye sound).  So being a bit paranoid about trying to put sound in that loco, in the meantime I had put another 73100 into an atlas GP38 since there was no way the decoder could move.  So I thought this time why don’t I try again and put another 73100 into the gp35.  This time I went a bit slower and also added small wedges in the frame either side of the decoder at the rear so the decoder could not slide from side to side which you can see on the second picture.  The GP35 works quite well with the shell on, however I think I might redo the speaker enclosure as I hear a bit of distortion (the GP38 enclosure  sounds great).  I had glued both with CA and also used bondic to seal both.

[MK]

You can send the shorted one back to ESU for repairs.

[Steveruger45]

Nice install.  Good to see you made it fit.
I did one quite a while ago with a LS select micro.
I’m thinking this approach would work for the the new LSv5 too.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=44564.msg573635#msg573635

[Southern1970]

You can send the shorted one back to ESU for repairs.

Hi MK, have sent it back to the shop for them to return to ESU for repairs.  Though not sure how long that will take.

[Southern1970]

Nice install.  Good to see you made it fit.
I did one quite a while ago with a LS select micro.
I’m thinking this approach would work for the the new LSv5 too.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=44564.msg573635#msg573635

Thanks Steve,
Nice install with the LS micro, especially how you got the decoder to fit over the engine mounts.  I purchased 2 cab speaker boxes from shapeways http://shpws.me/RJa0and was thinking of doing my other gp35, and gp30 with the LS micro v5. 
I’ll have to invest in some magnifying glasses as my eyes aren’t what they used to be.  When I’ve soldered some of these recently I’ve had to take a picture with my phone of the soldering after I’ve done it and zoom in to make sure no loose wire strands have wandered and the soldering is relatively clean on the pad.  Otherwise I may have to convert to HO.

[peteski]

Don't go cheap on the magnifier.  I highly recommend Optivisor brand.  I have been using it for over a decade (even before my vision has deteriorated), and I couldn't do any small modeling jobs without it.  I use it with the #7 lens plate, but other plates are available.

[MK]

...I couldn't do any small modeling jobs without it.

And believe me, this guy can do small modeling jobs!  Ask him to show you his fire truck...   

[peteski]

And believe me, this guy can do small modeling jobs!  Ask him to show you his fire truck...   

That's true Mike, I do enjoy miniature modeling.
On that model I also had to resort in some instances to using my stereo-microscope. 
http://nscalevehicles.org/galleries/2/knox_fire_pumper.php

[RBrodzinsky]

Good job, and too bad you had the experience of blowing the decoder. As MK mentioned, ESU knows that things can happen during installation, so will exchange the decoder.

[Southern1970]

Don't go cheap on the magnifier.  I highly recommend Optivisor brand.  I have been using it for over a decade (even before my vision has deteriorated), and I couldn't do any small modeling jobs without it.  I use it with the #7 lens plate, but other plates are available.

Thanks Peteski.  I’ll check them out.  That firetruck is a work of art.

Good job, and too bad you had the experience of blowing the decoder. As MK mentioned, ESU knows that things can happen during installation, so will exchange the decoder.

Thanks Rick, helps me realise I can’t rush these things.  Once I get some magnifying glasses I might finally add some LEDs, and tantalum capacitors to my installs.

[RBrodzinsky]

Don't go cheap on the magnifier.  I highly recommend Optivisor brand.  I have been using it for over a decade (even before my vision has deteriorated), and I couldn't do any small modeling jobs without it.  I use it with the #7 lens plate, but other plates are available.

I have a bunch of the plates, but use the #7 almost exclusively