2nd ESU install in Atlas/KATO SD-9

[carlso]

I am nervous about this post, for obvious reasons, but I do not give up on friends or anything so I wanted to post my successful install and I can only hope you will give me a 2nd chance.

Two months ago or so I had an active thread documenting an ESU and Wildcat speaker in an Atlas/KATO SD9. That was totally mucked up by me. I pulled the Select Micro and in its place installed an ESU LokPilot. That unit turned into a nice black widow and it runs exceptionally well or as some say "just like a KATO".

Today I tested the Bloody Nose version that I just completed. It is an ESU Select Micro with the EMD 567 non turbo FT ( full throttle ) version of the sound file. The decoder is mounted, almost flat, in the nose of the unit and the speaker resides in the fuel tank. Much easier than trying to force it in on top of frames. The following You Tube is approx 7 minutes. After you hear the sounds you may not want to finish. The sounds have not been massaged but are as "out of the box".

Hope you enjoy the sounds from the decoder and thanks for watching,

Carl

[tehachapifan]

Looks and sounds great, Carl! Congrats on a job well done!

Although it sounds pretty much the same as mine, I notice you are getting the random air compressor sounds (I'm assuming you weren't manually activating them). Good to know there's a 567 file that has this feature now.

[carlso]

Russ,

this is a new, from Bryan, Select Micro, that I ordered with the EMD non turbo file. He loaded it with ESU's new "Full Throttle" 567 file. I never got the random sounds to work in the other decoder and I am contemplating sending it back to Bryan for a re-install with the FT file. Yes, the random sounds set the thing off real nice. It sounds much better in person running on the club layout.

Carl

[tehachapifan]

Thanks for the info, Carl! Again, very nice work!

[woodone]

OK Carl- Where are the photos of HOW you did it?
LOL woodone AKA Jerry

[jdcolombo]

Nice job, Carl!

John C.

[carlso]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your looking.

Jerry - I did not do a complete documentation because John has so beautifully done that for all of us. I did want to say do not hesitate to try it whether sound or non sound.

The following 3 images are:

My first mucked up build as far as the sound unit. It is KATO and runs great.


This current install. I placed the Select Micro at the front end of loco and I used the light board to pick up power from the rear end. You can see that the decoder is almost flat.


The 2nd image shows how much of the fuel tank area that I milled for the Knowle's Wildcat speaker and enclosure. I was able to run the speaker wires up through the chassis, very tight fit. Personally, I think I will do that in the future and not try to cram a speaker on top of the chassis.


You will not see any LED's for lights as this unit will run in the middle of a consist. My 3rd install I am planning on a barrel light with mars action for #1 in consist. Not sure about paint scheme on the next one as I have seen several variations of the Black Widow regarding the wings on both ends of loco and one case where there were no wings at all.

Thanks for asking Jerry.
Carl

[woodone]

Just giving you a bad time Carl. At least you won the battle! I have done several using the ECO-100.
One thing- I mount my speakers with the membrane facing into the closed enclosure. And I am still mounting them on the top side. Looks like you have you installed the other way?
Any reason?