ESU Sound in an N Scale Kato SD40-2

[@davidf9630]

Your work is way beyond my pay grade. I’m impressed. Have a great day.

[@trainsforbrains]

@davidf9630 thank you, but it isn't so difficult. I am still learning better ways of doing things.

[@charlesgwyn2115]

Great work! Looks like there might be room for a speaker on the "back deck" just under the rear of the decoder. That's where I put an 8 x 12 mm speaker in my Atlas GP-9s... sugar cube half-deep from Streamline Backshop. I took off the original Atlas Gold speaker, which was clipped onto the rear of the ESU decoder. It sounded too tinny.

[@trainsforbrains]

Thanks! This was done with an older V4 decoder, I think the new Kato specific V5's are shorter freeing up more space behind the decoder for a bigger speaker box. I have a few more to do, and will be using the V5 boards.

[@timothystadel6484]

Great job, I enjoyed the video immensely. I like your make it fit attitude opens new options for esu installs. Thanks. Tim.

[@BoxcarJerry]

Sounds great , it looks to nerve racking of a job for me . 😄 Thanks for showing the process .

[@davestrains6816]

Sounds very nice. Thanks for sharing. Dave

[@rdanscale3416]

Looks Good & Sounds Good Dave the milling however would've made me Nervous as a Tick being chased by matchsticks and for me it's hard to perform some of the task if ever I have the mini shop to do install I'd probably do allot myself but for Now I'll take what comes out of Kato and Atlas I'll tell ya for N Scale they Damn Well have the easy in.. Installing decoders I had and Engine that was giving some issues I pulled the ESU Decoder out of that Frame & installed it by simply slipping it into a Silver Series Ready for Sound heck the Speaker 🔊 was already in its frame and that Silver Series DC is Now DCC with sound working like it had the Decoder all a long these companies are finally listening to our Needs and are making it easy to step up to DCC.. And with Sound...

[@trainsforbrains]

Yes. Much easier to buy them installed, but I like to tinker. I have a few more to do when the new boards get released. I did an Atlas GP40, that only needed a bit of a shave to make room for the speaker..

[@lowcountryrailroad7701]

Great video new subscriber

[@trainsforbrains]

Thank you!

[@marsfromrexford]

Man o man you just inspired me. I have 2 Kato SD40s that currently have NCE decoders, can't seem to speed match way too fast, wondering if I should step up to ESU plus I want sound. That sounds great and Great vid. Do you ever get a high pitch squeal at higher speed from your Katos ? I'm thinking it's coming from the motor area / bushings, tried oiling with labelle #7 but no luck. Thanks Mario

[@trainsforbrains]

Thanks! I really like the ESU decoders, they are so versatile, though, I don't know if they will be any easier to speed match. I have had the squeal. Oiling where the shaft goes into the motor made it go away. I used LaBelle 102. It is very thin.

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Nice job! I have the soldering skills of a toddler so doing that kind of install certainly isn't for me! I'll certainly be farming that out, lol. Something I noticed. Is that sound file that came on the decoder for an SD38 rather than an SD40? It sounded like a roots blown prime mover rather than a turbo model. One thing I love about ESU is how easy that is to change. I've got a Lok Programmer on the way so I can do some custom stuff with the few factory installed locomotives that I have.

[@trainsforbrains]

I am told the files they come with are a European prototype. Even the "blank' decoders have motor and horn sounds on them. I'm not sure which locomotive it is, not very familiar with European stuff. Have fun with the Lok Programmer. There is so much it can do. Way more than I ask of it anyways!

[@adriengadson3544]

Hello good information. I should be purchasing some ESU decoders in the future as I have digitrax right now. Do you know the number you used in your GP40'S for the decoder that worked well?

[@trainsforbrains]

It was a Micro Select Direct. 73100? Just wait though, they are hard to find right now. They are V.4. The V5 decoders should be out this summer and are supposed to work even better.

[@adriengadson3544]

@@trainsforbrains Thanks... I found that number to be the correct ones I will be needing.

[@chazco]

Did you happen o weigh the unit both before and after the install? Just curious

[@trainsforbrains]

No, I don't have a scale sensative enough, but I have a bunch of Sd40-2's. That's a pretty good idea. Not that I am worried about it, but out of curiosity I could compare. I will ask my wife if she has a digital scale.

[@metroredline]

Which Dremel bit did you use?

[@trainsforbrains]

Dremel 199, high speed cutter. It looks like a little saw.