flyboy2610
Loveably weird
When I pre-ordered my Athearn Genesis Big Boy all those many, many long years ago, I made a boo-boo and ordered the DC version instead of the DCC/sound version.
Now, I know none of the rest of you has ever done anything like that, but I do it on a disturbingly regular basis!
I had hoped that Athearn would have included the speaker housing at least, but no joy. I purchased and installed a Soundtraxx 21 pin NEM decoder for steam https://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/econami/eco21p.php and it runs flawlessly! Now I am finally getting around to adding the sound system.
To remove the shell from the tender, two screws must be removed from the top of the tender (3 if you have sound) and two from underneath the rear bulkhead. Then the lower front of the tender must be spread apart, and the shell slid back and up to remove it. The two screws that were removed from the top screw into two posts that have cylindrical weights on them. The stock speaker housing is basically two cylinders joined in the middle and screwed to the top of the tender shell. Without removing the screw mounting the speaker housing in place, it is impossible to remove the shell. In the first pic here, if you look closely at the top of the shell you will see one hole circled in red Sharpie. That is where the speaker housing mounts to. So once the shell is removed, the speaker housing lying on the PCB. Here's where the fun begins.
To reinstall the shell, the speaker housing must be lying on the PCB. Once the shell is back on the tender, the speaker housing must be reattached to the tender shell. I've never done it, but my LHS owner assures me: It ain't no fun! You have a space about 1" wide to try and position the housing while trying to get the screw started from the top. He said it helps if you hold your tongue just right.
My sound system will consist of two Soundtraxx 28mm speakers, part #810153, and speaker baffles part #810110. Soundtraxx recommends wiring the speakers in series, so that is what I plan to do. To get the signal from the decoder to the speakers, I will be using a Miniatronics 2 pin Micro Mini connector. This will allow me to completely remove the speakers for repair or replacement if needed.
To make it easier to install or remove the shell, I will be making a bridge of two pieces of .080" styrene laminated together in 3/4" strips. The center to center distance of the two mounting post screws on the tender is 4.128", and the weights have a diameter of .466". My plan is basically to drill two holes of .466" diameter 4.128" apart on the centerline of the styrene strip. This will be able to slide up and down on the posts. Once that is done, I will temporarily reattach the tender shell, slide the strip up to the shell, and mark the location of the mounting screw. Then I will remove the shell, and drill and tap the mounting hole for a 2-56 screw.
The speakers will be mounted in the baffles, and the baffles will be screwed to the strip.
The wire from the Miniatronics connector fits quite nicely through the holes factory drilled in the baffle cover.
I'll let the styrene lamination dry overnight and work on this tomorrow after church.
Now, I know none of the rest of you has ever done anything like that, but I do it on a disturbingly regular basis!
I had hoped that Athearn would have included the speaker housing at least, but no joy. I purchased and installed a Soundtraxx 21 pin NEM decoder for steam https://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/econami/eco21p.php and it runs flawlessly! Now I am finally getting around to adding the sound system.
To remove the shell from the tender, two screws must be removed from the top of the tender (3 if you have sound) and two from underneath the rear bulkhead. Then the lower front of the tender must be spread apart, and the shell slid back and up to remove it. The two screws that were removed from the top screw into two posts that have cylindrical weights on them. The stock speaker housing is basically two cylinders joined in the middle and screwed to the top of the tender shell. Without removing the screw mounting the speaker housing in place, it is impossible to remove the shell. In the first pic here, if you look closely at the top of the shell you will see one hole circled in red Sharpie. That is where the speaker housing mounts to. So once the shell is removed, the speaker housing lying on the PCB. Here's where the fun begins.
To reinstall the shell, the speaker housing must be lying on the PCB. Once the shell is back on the tender, the speaker housing must be reattached to the tender shell. I've never done it, but my LHS owner assures me: It ain't no fun! You have a space about 1" wide to try and position the housing while trying to get the screw started from the top. He said it helps if you hold your tongue just right.
My sound system will consist of two Soundtraxx 28mm speakers, part #810153, and speaker baffles part #810110. Soundtraxx recommends wiring the speakers in series, so that is what I plan to do. To get the signal from the decoder to the speakers, I will be using a Miniatronics 2 pin Micro Mini connector. This will allow me to completely remove the speakers for repair or replacement if needed.
To make it easier to install or remove the shell, I will be making a bridge of two pieces of .080" styrene laminated together in 3/4" strips. The center to center distance of the two mounting post screws on the tender is 4.128", and the weights have a diameter of .466". My plan is basically to drill two holes of .466" diameter 4.128" apart on the centerline of the styrene strip. This will be able to slide up and down on the posts. Once that is done, I will temporarily reattach the tender shell, slide the strip up to the shell, and mark the location of the mounting screw. Then I will remove the shell, and drill and tap the mounting hole for a 2-56 screw.
The speakers will be mounted in the baffles, and the baffles will be screwed to the strip.
The wire from the Miniatronics connector fits quite nicely through the holes factory drilled in the baffle cover.
I'll let the styrene lamination dry overnight and work on this tomorrow after church.