gridwatcher Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Is it just me or is the fitting of a sound chip to Bachmann's new OO gauge 101 unnecessarily complicated. Fitting a non sound chip would take about 2 minutes. To fit sound you need to remove body, remove 4 plastic retaining clips for top circuit.lighting board. Remove 4 metal electrical conduit clips, remove seating to find that NO there isn't any room below the seating to fit a speaker despite the holes in floor suggesting that a speaker might fit there, and the speaker shroud in the bits bag? There really isn't anywhere obvious to stick the speaker and my temporary arrangement is less than satisfactory black tacked to the underside of the lighting board. I love a challenge and have sound fitted upwards of 200 locomotives for myself and friends with some success, but shudder when a new model arrives, full of promise, only to be ill conceived in the initial design. There has only really been ONE loco that ticks the boxes and answers our requests. Dapol's Western (and I guess 22 etc) thereafter much filing, chopping sawing, grinding (of teeth) is almost always the way. When the fit is straight forward it is often by luck rather than good design. Hornby's HST, most Heljan locos where there simply IS enough room in spacious chassis types or guards areas etc etc. This isn't a rant (despite looking like a rant and sounding like a rant) because these challenges keep me busy working on other people's locos. More of a plea if the manufacturers are reading!!?? Any thoughts team RMWeb? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xerces Fobe2 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Despite lots of feedback on this issue on this and other model railway forums regarding fitting decoders into Bachmann DMU/EMU's very little progress has been made in this area. With the use of plastic clips rather than screws makes removing a body a difficult job and increases the likelihood of causing damage. Then there is the issue of physical space for the decoder and the need for multiple decoders as in the Class 105. Fitting sound can add further complications as with a lot of the DMU/EMU's are not designed for this and require further modification. Assuming that you have managed the above then comes the challenge of refitting the coach bodies and getting the light to work again. Even Bachmann has issue here as I have had new Bachmann DMU's where the light contacts required adjustment straight out of the box! If would be wrong to focus on Bachmann regarding this issue as I have had issues with Hornby and Heljan models too. When will the manufacturers come up with a DCC solution which allows a DCC chip to be fitted to a MU or loco without a full works visit; Is that too much to ask? XF Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauliebanger Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Despite lots of feedback on this issue on this and other model railway forums regarding fitting decoders into Bachmann DMU/EMU's very little progress has been made in this area. With the use of plastic clips rather than screws makes removing a body a difficult job and increases the likelihood of causing damage. Then there is the issue of physical space for the decoder and the need for multiple decoders as in the Class 105. Fitting sound can add further complications as with a lot of the DMU/EMU's are not designed for this and require further modification. Assuming that you have managed the above then comes the challenge of refitting the coach bodies and getting the light to work again. Even Bachmann has issue here as I have had new Bachmann DMU's where the light contacts required adjustment straight out of the box! If would be wrong to focus on Bachmann regarding this issue as I have had issues with Hornby and Heljan models too. When will the manufacturers come up with a DCC solution which allows a DCC chip to be fitted to a MU or loco without a full works visit; Is that too much to ask? XF You will not get a properly designed 'sound ready' or even 'DCC ready' solution until you find a manufacturer who really cares about getting it 'right' rather than satisfying the Bean Counters' bottom line. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gridwatcher Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share Posted September 23, 2014 That said I hold my hands up (as it was the first I had done and not done a 2-EPB before either) and now realise that with the 'disappearing seat section' it kind of fits and makes a better fist of it....the RANT still holds true but apologies to Bachmann on the 101 it ain't (quite) as bad as I had thought. In fact one of the better efforts...DOH!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xerces Fobe2 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 The Cravens 105 got me with 2 chips which as recommended and purchased from Bachmann only to find the the power car one was just about doable with some messing around, however in the driving trailer there was just not enough space and now sidings in the passenger compartment! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunmar Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Hi, I recently fitted a sound decoder and bass reflex speaker to a Bachmann 105 unit and as you say had to cut away several seats to accommodate the speaker. The 8pin socket for the plug was slightly off-set on my sample and was an absolute ' pig ' to get in. Not satisfied with the sound coming out I set about to turn the speaker around and have it facing downwards towards the track - and drill a few holes to let the sound out. No way ' Jose ' ! It's got a metal underframe - inn it! Bill. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gridwatcher Posted September 24, 2014 Author Share Posted September 24, 2014 Ahhh the joys..... If it was easy what would we do of an evening??!? Ironocally the clanky old Lima?Hornby/Limby based units we run are much easier. They are kit built 116/120/126 and 122 amongst others...... The best of all are the ones running on the lovely Replica chassis which are by and large EMUs 303s 304s etc etc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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