Fitting Loksound V4.0 with 20x40 speaker

[mattrose]

Here is my method for inserting a sound chip into a Bachmann class 37. The locomotive I used is a modern style class 37; 32-377A.

 

I bought the 'Class 37/4 WD (Legomanbiffo) With DriveLock' from DC Kits

 

The speaker comes wired to the 21 pin chip so doesn't require any soldering. If you purchase it from DC Kits

Edited September 16, 2017 by mattrose

[mattrose]

To fit the speaker we used the following tools.

 

- small cross head screwdriver

- Foam service cradle (Peco)

- blue tac

 

To start with you will need to remove the body of the chassis. I would recommend using a PECO service cradle to hold the loco in position, be careful if your loco has any fragile parts on the roof or nose. For example an antenna on the end of the nose on the 37. To remove the body you can use a small screwdriver with a crosshead tip. Be careful when removing the screw, to not lose them or to ruin the head of the screw. There are 6 screws on the chassis of the class 37, four on the four corners of the model and two in the centre near the fuel tanks.

 

Once inside the 37, you will see a long printed circuit board towards one end of the loco. At the other end of the board is a culvert for the speaker to sit in. This may be covered with an array of wires. On the circuit board, raised up will be a blanking plate, this covers the 21 pin socket. 

You will need to remove this blanking plate, but be very careful as to not bend any pins. The plate will be stiff to take off so be very careful and don't rush through the process. Once you have removed the plate you can insert your chip, this may be connected to the speaker so be careful not to damage it.

The chip can only go onto the pins one way to make sure it is the right way and if you are unsure check as you could wreck the pins and it may not work. Sit your chip onto the pins making sure it is in the right way, you will then need to firmly push it down into place. The chip may be tough to push and then suddenly drop. This is as the pins link to the chip so you know it is fully in place.

You can then place the loco on the track to check that it works fine. I usually only sound the horn and save the rest of the sounds till the shell is on.

 

I used a Loksound V4.0 20x40 speaker, this came in a sound chamber casing. I first tried to fit this into the chassis but the roof wouldn't come down securely. I then removed the speaker from the casing and taped it into the chassis and used it like that for a day.

The sound was good but when it was in the casing it was so much clearer, therefore I decided to reopen the body and place the speaker back into its casing. However, I needed to chop off the bottom of the casing to make it lower.If you do this you need to make sure that you tape over the bottom of the casing to make it airtight as this is what gives the clearer sound. I then placed some small amounts of blue tac over the four screw holes in the speaker, and this time the body just slid straight into place. This overall gave a clearer and louder sound which is advisable when you have a rumbly class 37.

 

Once you are happy with the sound quality you can use some small amounts of tape (I used black insulation tape) to hold the speaker in place. Then you can place the body back on and screw securely. Then enjoy the wonders of a sound fitted locomotive.

 

Notes:

- The more airtight you make the speaker the louder the sound will be.

 

Edited September 16, 2017 by mattrose

[Nick G]

The sound is poor without the sound chamber. I would recommend next time you order from DC Kits you order the chip with the low profile speaker housing and seal all the gaps with PVA glue to make it airtight. By removing the fan assembley from the roof it will then fit. 

[mattrose]

The chamber is on now and gives a good sound. Better than without. The holes are also filled so it is airtight.

[Danielson's shay no 3]

Fit a bass reflex in the fuel tank it will really sing then. Will sound so much better than the speaker your using at the moment

Edited October 5, 2017 by Danielson's shay no 3