Author Topic: Has anyone done a sound install on a Kato NW-2?  (Read 5887 times)

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craigolio1

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Re: Has anyone done a sound install on a Kato NW-2?
« Reply #45 on: January 13, 2016, 12:23:04 PM »
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Absolutely amazing.  You have really set the bar here.

Thanks for posting in such detail.

Craig

lyled1117

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Re: Has anyone done a sound install on a Kato NW-2?
« Reply #46 on: January 14, 2016, 05:34:44 PM »
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Just posing the question, would this posting be better suited in the DCC  forum?  Just asking :)

Lyle

peteski

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Re: Has anyone done a sound install on a Kato NW-2?
« Reply #47 on: January 14, 2016, 06:21:55 PM »
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Just posing the question, would this posting be better suited in the DCC  forum?  Just asking :)

Lyle

LOL - I'm glad that there are others besides me who question where posts like this belong.
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rhiadon

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Re: Has anyone done a sound install on a Kato NW-2?
« Reply #48 on: January 14, 2016, 07:04:37 PM »
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This is one where I think it is equally valid in either forum. There are particular aspects to N and Z scale that HO does not have. The most obvious of which is that there's just no room for a decoder. :) So I think it could be a valid argument that since trying to "manufacture space" is an important aspect of this install, that it belongs in this forum.

Maybe that's a weak argument, but I don't think it is.

peteski

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Re: Has anyone done a sound install on a Kato NW-2?
« Reply #49 on: January 14, 2016, 11:50:20 PM »
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This is one where I think it is equally valid in either forum. There are particular aspects to N and Z scale that HO does not have. The most obvious of which is that there's just no room for a decoder. :) So I think it could be a valid argument that since trying to "manufacture space" is an important aspect of this install, that it belongs in this forum.

Maybe that's a weak argument, but I don't think it is.

 IMO, this type of write-up begins in DCC/Electronics forum, because it is about installing an electronic decoder in a DC model.  Size of the model is irrelevant (the final result is that piece of electronics is hooked up where there was a piece of chassis). But it is a DCC install.  If you really want to play the scale card then there are also very small H0 locomotives where space is at premium too. Then you can also have H0n3 motive power (which is even smaller than H0).  But this is only my opinion.  :)  But if I was to search the Railwire forum for DCC installation hints I would first try the DCC forum search.  :|
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rhiadon

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Re: Has anyone done a sound install on a Kato NW-2?
« Reply #50 on: January 18, 2016, 07:59:48 PM »
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I've finished the first install. I'm very happy with the results. Eventually I'll get around to learning how to redecorate the shell. The nice thing is that with inspiration from tehachapifan's sound decoder install on an SD9, it's much easier to remove the shell. I don't have to use connectors.

Here is a show from the front of how I installed the front LED. I used a small piece of 0.06" square styrene cut to size to fit in the front of the locomotive. Atop that I glued the LED with Walthers Goo. The LED is an 0603 surface mount that I bought prewired with magnet wire.
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A shot of the rear lighting tower. It's just two stacked pieces of 0.06" square styrene with the LED mounted to the backside. This lines up nearly perfect with the light on the cab.
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At the suggestion of someone on here, I purchased a set of tiny boards from Ngineering to mount 0805 1/2 what 3K ohm resistors. That made the install of the electrical VERY easy. You can sort of see them in the shot above.

Finally finished shots from the front and rear with the lights on.
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I plan to do this same install with a second NW-2 I purchased. I'll make an attempt at a full step by step writeup and I'll place that in the DCC forum.

To peteski point, I think this discussion started as a feasibility discussion. While that was going on, it was particularly useful to be here. I hijacked it (most profound apologies) to show some pictures of the feasibililty. But at that point it became an install post. Therefor, the how-to will be in the proper forum.

Thanks for the ideas through the whole thing. Bouncing ideas and getting new ones helps quite a bit. I really appreciate it.

lyled1117

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Re: Has anyone done a sound install on a Kato NW-2?
« Reply #51 on: May 04, 2016, 12:21:49 PM »
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I have just attempted the install using the method shown here, and I have not had success to my satisfaction in fitting the shell on the frame. The rear fits the frame fine of course, but the front "almost' seats but does not completely seat. It's quite close, but it's not down. Those of you who have done this install, are you confident the shell is fully seated? That is it has locked in place on the nubs? I'm using a Loksound micro, heatshrink removed.

Thanks for any info
Lyle