09.12.2023 - A sound decoder in a Hornby TT120 Class 08 Diesel? See how it can be done

[@T4Van-E-daycamp]

I could never be brave enough to handle that .. too delicate for me.. well done m8.. 👍

[@AndrewH561]

Thanks 👍

[@gregmacdonald927]

Nicely done. My own hope is that somehow I can get the 6pin HM7k decoder (when it comes out!) and a stay alive into it. Not so fussed on sound but the power bank should make it super reliable for shunting.

[@AndrewH561]

It will be interesting to see if a stay alive will work. As you say it would make it very reliable for shunting.

[@ejm9716]

Yes, I’m a bit miffed at Hornby selling the 08 now (I bought two) but not the 6 pin HM7000 decoders until next year.

[@AndrewH561]

Agree it would have been nice if the HM7000 decoder was available but the Zimo decoder seems to work fine.

[@stevio7777]

Thanks for that. I’ve recently bought an 08 shunter myself TT 120 and got a price for fitting decoder a stay alive which also included lights and two drivers in the cab and a front and rear light and they wanted £350 for doing that, so you might just be onto something 🤣 👌🎅🏻🚂

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Well done! You said you would remove the blue wires for the stay alive, and by Jove you did! I was hoping you would leave a short length, just in case you changed your mind. Wishing you a very Merry Xmas and all best wishes for the New Year.

[@HighFell]

I fitted the non sound version of the Zimo decoder but with a Lais stay alive. This does make it a superb shunting loco as it can crawl along at very realistic speeds with no issues at all. I might revisit this fitting and put in sound, although I filled the front end of the body shell with lead shot to increase the weight so that would have to come out.

[@AndrewH561]

I may well give that a try as well. Thanks.

[@HighFell]

@@AndrewH561 I fitted the stay alive in the cab, it’s not really visible

[@stevio7777]

Hi did you say u we’re leaving a link 👍

[@AndrewH561]

Hmm not sure.

[@stevio7777]

Hi Andrew I’m about to fit one of those decoders next week. Are the 4 screws the very 4 outer ones at the very end/edge of the chassis? Or are they the 4 that are just in from those? Are you a follower of Jesus by any chance as you have some very interesting books there? No need to answer that one 😄 Many thanks Steve

[@AndrewH561]

Hi Steve, thanks for the message. It is the 4 outer screws on the very edge of the chassis that release the body to get into the decoder space. And yes, you interpreted the books correctly, I am a follower of Jesus :-)

[@stevio7777]

@@AndrewH561 aw great stuff matey so am I 👌😀❤️

[@stevio7777]

And thanks 😄👍

[@AndrewH561]

Hi Steve, that is great to hear 🙂

[@AndrewH561]

Hi Steve, hope all goes well. There's not a lot of room but it does all fit (just).

[@stevio7777]

I’ve fitted the decoder, programmed it and got the sounds working. I use the Roco Z21 command station in conjunction with iTrain. But also use the Z21 app on my iPad to program the loco. when I tried it on my test layout it struggled a bit and when I tapped on the engine sound it cut out and I got a red light on the Z21 denoting a short. Now I can’t even reset it because as soon as I place it on the layout or program track it cuts out. Doh!

[@AndrewH561]

Oh that's sounds frustrating. Has a wire caught/broken inside the body? I hope you manage to sort it out.

[@stevio7777]

@@AndrewH561 I’ll have take it all apart again 🤣

[@stevio7777]

Right I’ve run it under DC again with the Hornby chip and it’s fine. Placed the Zimo back in and at least it’s not tripping the Z21 now 😄 would you know if CV 1 the Short Address is the actual loco address? So in my case does it need to be set to number 4 as that’s my shunter address. Ta

[@AndrewH561]

Glad there’s been progress. Not sure I fully understand the question, sorry. CV1 holds the short address and can be any value 1 to 127 (as a default it is set to 3) so can be set to 4 if that is what you need. The value in CV1 will be used to address commands to the decoder, if short address is being used by the command station. CVs 17 & 18 are used for the long address but CV 29 (bit 6 if I remember correctly) also has to be set to 1 to enable long addressing. Having said that I have a feeling I’ve not answered your question so apologies.

[@stevio7777]

@@AndrewH561 thanks Andrew ever little helps. I’m trying to set my locos address which is 4. I’ve tried using the Z21 app on my iPad and using Itrain on the app it doesn’t seem to stick as 4. It’s a steep learning curve isn’t it lol