Focalplane Posted September 9, 2018 Share Posted September 9, 2018 Only that, to save time, plug and play makes sense in an RTR loco. I hard wire my own kit builds and do prefer Zimo decoders these days. However I also have other decoders fitted and one day I am going to have to rationalize the F buttons, probably using WiThrottle. Do Zimo make a >1.5 amp sound decoder that plugs into the Loksound XL socket? I can't find one. Paul 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thestourbridgelion Posted September 9, 2018 Share Posted September 9, 2018 (edited) Not much success with a 21 pin loksound decoder. It keeps tripping out so suspect it’s the motor current so now going to go for a Loksound L. Had a real game also with the back of wheels pickups as they were hardly touching. Removing the 4 screws that hold the base plate on gave me access to the wheels. Re tweaked the pick ups so they make more positive contact and refitted wheels by sliding a shim of nickel silver onto the pick up while wheels replaced. Fiddly but my avo and a bright light now says all wheels are making contact. There is space for a 23mm circular speaker in the chassis-pity this is not bigger. I am abandoning the idea of a stay alive in the bunker as the loksound L has stay alive built in plus running the cables to the bunker, even very fine cables, seems problematic. So a pretty negative day I am afraid. Think the Loksound L is the way forward. Edited September 9, 2018 by thestourbridgelion Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
89A Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 I see most retailers have now added £50 - £60 to their discounted prices. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focalplane Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 An exchange of emails with John Gymer at Youchoos - Yes a Zimo can be fitted but with a different adapter board which is currently back-ordered from Zimo. He says the motor needs 1.8 amp so a standard sound decoder for OO/HO is not going to be enough. I have asked John to put me on a list for when all the Zimo parts are available. He has done one conversion and it works, providing larger space for a decent speaker and stay alive. Paul 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focalplane Posted September 12, 2018 Share Posted September 12, 2018 (edited) Action by Ben Jones and Roger Whittam - a pony screw is coming my way! Thank you! Paul Edit to add: a package arrived with 2 screws in it! Thanks again Edited September 17, 2018 by Focalplane 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeighties Posted September 12, 2018 Share Posted September 12, 2018 The new Heljan 7mm Prairie. I know nothing about kettles, but it looks very nice. DSC_0032 by rothburyuk, on Flickr DSC_0035 by rothburyuk, on Flickr DSC_0038 by rothburyuk, on Flickr DSC_0042 by rothburyuk, on Flickr DSC_0045 by rothburyuk, on Flickr 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
suomen Posted September 14, 2018 Share Posted September 14, 2018 (edited) 6165 now with a proper set of cab side plates from Severn Mill 472DD81F-2C74-47DF-949B-CCEF2D17DF06.png Steve, how did you get rid of the original Heljan plates? Thanks, Frank Edited September 14, 2018 by suomen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focalplane Posted September 14, 2018 Share Posted September 14, 2018 On a positive note, the missing pony screw replacement arrived today. Thank you, Heljan and Tower Models! Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve fay Posted September 14, 2018 Share Posted September 14, 2018 (edited) Steve, how did you get rid of the original Heljan plates? Thanks, Frank I used a new Stanley blade to pry them off gently, there’s a pair of locating lugs on the back that fit in to a pair of holes It’s quite easy to remove them just take it easy. Here’s 6165 now with some dirt and replacement tank lifting rings and filler lids Edited September 14, 2018 by steve fay 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
suomen Posted September 14, 2018 Share Posted September 14, 2018 (edited) Cool - thanks a lot. I'll try that! Edited September 15, 2018 by suomen 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliepetty Posted September 14, 2018 Share Posted September 14, 2018 Received my model today. Un numbered early BR crest as requested. First impressions good heavy model. Quibbles-the moulded tank lifting eyes on top of the tanks, screw which holds bogies on quite small but hopefully ok, wheels look pretty good but delicate-think they would be on last turning size if this was a prototype. Within half an hour of opening the box had it to bits ( what are we like eh!) Came apart easy. Coal came out ok (the bit that protects the top rear lamp comes out which makes removing the coal load easier) and space underneath for a stay alive capacitor. I am, however, quite perplexed by the fitting of a sound chip. I am not usually phased by these things but not come across quite this arrangement before and the instructions don’t say much. I assume the chip needs to be hard wired and soldered to the plate which had the blanking plate attached to? ( If anyone has any guidance would appreciate it) Unfortunately the chip I have is a 21 pin but I do have an ESU mounting plate for a 21 pin with tails so guess I should be able to do something just not sure that’s the most elegant method.ED251C3B-4019-4057-8ED4-23E315D15D07.jpeg The decoder is a LokSound L decoder, not the 21Pin as everyone suggests. Charlie/Legomanbiffo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNR Dave Posted September 15, 2018 Share Posted September 15, 2018 The new Heljan 7mm Prairie. I know nothing about kettles, but it looks very nice. DSC_0032 by rothburyuk, on Flickr DSC_0035 by rothburyuk, on Flickr DSC_0038 by rothburyuk, on Flickr DSC_0042 by rothburyuk, on Flickr DSC_0045 by rothburyuk, on Flickr I'm no expert either, but your Prairie seems to be a wheel or two short. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brittannia Posted September 15, 2018 Share Posted September 15, 2018 Heljan did not know how to put them on the model, upto the modller to do that Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliepetty Posted September 15, 2018 Share Posted September 15, 2018 An exchange of emails with John Gymer at Youchoos - Yes a Zimo can be fitted but with a different adapter board which is currently back-ordered from Zimo. He says the motor needs 1.8 amp so a standard sound decoder for OO/HO is not going to be enough. I have asked John to put me on a list for when all the Zimo parts are available. He has done one conversion and it works, providing larger space for a decent speaker and stay alive. Paul ESU 'L' Decoder which is a plug in fit for this loco is in stock and available. Charlie-Legomanbiffo-Wheeltappers Steam Sounds Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
suomen Posted September 17, 2018 Share Posted September 17, 2018 (edited) ESU 'L' Decoder which is a plug in fit for this loco is in stock and available. Charlie-Legomanbiffo-Wheeltappers Steam SoundsAt your website I could only find prices of the normal ESU Loksound decoder I assume(£110 and £115). Do you supply the ‘L‘ decoder with sound as well? As you don't have a GWR Prairie sound, would you recommend another sound? (SWD Manor or Wheeltappers Collett Goods perhaps?) The chuff sounds maybe quite similar but do they have dual whistle sounds? Edited September 17, 2018 by suomen 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focalplane Posted September 17, 2018 Share Posted September 17, 2018 The reasons I contacted Youchoos are: I prefer Zimo decoders over Loksound - a person preference - but also because the set up recommended by Youchoos allows more room for a decent speaker and stay alive. I also like the fact that Youchoos have samples of all their sounds on line. I shall probably use the Hall sound files but I have yet to decide. I plan to standardize all my functions to the same buttons on WiThrottle. I do have a couple of Loksound chips on other locos and they work well so this is purely a personal thing for my current layout. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
suomen Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 (edited) ESU 'L' Decoder which is a plug in fit for this loco is in stock and available. Charlie-Legomanbiffo-Wheeltappers Steam Sounds Do you supply the ‘L‘ decoder with sound as well?Mmmh - no answer here, no response on 2 emails. Is that a 'prevention of turnover' program? A short answer like "We don't sell to Germany" would have been nice... Edited September 27, 2018 by suomen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 I've fitted a YouChoos Sound Chip to my 4144 today. Also fitted a 3D Double Cube Speaker and Capacitor. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Prism Posted October 19, 2018 Share Posted October 19, 2018 Has turned out well. I'm impressed by the understandable compromises in the motion work being kept to a minimum. (Btw, Steve, I've used one of your pics with permission on gwr.org. Hope that's ok.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve fay Posted October 19, 2018 Share Posted October 19, 2018 Yes that’s fine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNR Dave Posted November 24, 2018 Share Posted November 24, 2018 Just picked one of these up from the Rails stand at Warley. £495 in Great Western livery 6110. Very impressed. Was going to wait for the Dapol small prairie but couldn't resist this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNR Dave Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 All versions £500 today only at Hattons Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Adrian Stevenson Posted December 10, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 10, 2018 Just got rid of that horrid plastic coal load on mine today. Some care is needed to get this out. I still have an open coal fire at home, so I have an endless supply of real coal. I will be fitting a sound chip to mine in the New Year. Cheers, Ade. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Adrian Stevenson Posted December 11, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 11, 2018 Here is a pic of the improved coal load. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 Here is a pic of the improved coal load. 20181211_085956.jpg Much better Ade. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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