There's more HO stuff in the pipeline. I have one more N scale install to do as well. I had hoped to try out some weathering this winter but I seem to be running out of time!
Hi, amazing video and amazing skills. I do have a Bachmann Spectrum D8-40c diesel loco item#85059 decide ready, what decoder should I buy for it? Thank you so much!
wow you have better eyes than I do. I had to use a magnifier head gear just to watch the video. lol great job on the install, and hard wiring the decoder in, is the way to go. bit more work but will perform better and longer. love it N scale with sound.. amazing i say
Great instal guide video, really useful. I am going to do all my own sound decoder installs after getting one that had a dead decoder and the worst soldering ever from the factory on a $250 locomotive. Do you use the lokprogrammer to add sound files? (Edit:Doh yep you do use the Lokprogrammer, ok then...) Could you review that? Possibly even with JMRI and DCC++ and a Digitrax or NCE system to show if it plays nice with others?
Hi Ken, and yes, I used the ESU LokProgrammer to add the sound set. As far as I know, that's the only way you can change the sound in ESU decoders. People complain that it costs extra $$ to buy the programmer but what they don't take into consideration is that I can re-use any ESU LokSound decoder now. So I could take the decoder out of this diesel engine and use it in a steam engine simply by changing the sound set. No need to buy another decoder if I were to do that. I'm not sure the programmer needs to be reviewed but I'll consider that because it's a very useful component.
Great video on an installation, you made it simple and a good steps, like the way you explained each step too, but do you have a video on programming a decoder as I'm still a little intemadated at doing it....thanks for a great video, Jack 😁
Hi Jack, I have videos about JMRI which is probably the easiest way to manipulate most decoders. Not sure if you count that, but I can think of two right off the top of my head. Look for MR101 JMRI
If you have lights that are too white/high color temp, use a piece of kapton tape to bring the color temp down/yellow it. Depending on the color you're looking for, it make only take a tiny piece covering a portion of the LED, or cover the whole LED. Multiple layers of kapton may be needed for really bright LEDs.
When installing wires to a motor, while it is good to try and get the Pos/Neg correct with the Orange/Grey wires, its not entirely that important to remember. If, after its all done, the locomotive does go the wrong direction (forwards is backwards ect) you can easily change the Normal Direction of Travel (NDoT) in the CV values (Check your Decoders Manual to find the value to change). This will then fix the direction issue, instead of having to go back and take the whole thing apart to change the wires.
I'm curious about the track cleaning box cars in the "road test". Are they satisfactory? Can just a single car do the trick? And who makes them? And thanks.
Those track cleaning cars have been at the layout for a long time. I'm not even sure where they came from. I'd guess they were purchased. I'd try a search engine online and see what you find. Some guys bring those fancy brass tank cars to help keep the track clean and I suspect those work better.
Thank you for the great instructional video John. I have 6 Bachmann Spectrums that I've wanted to convert but am nervous to tear into them. You made it look so simple. What brand and where did you find the speaker? Once again thanks John for all the great videos.
That particular speaker is one I found on eBay that's very similar to the ESU 50321 speaker. It's 11mmx15mm. I'd recommend 8mmx12mm if you're working on N scale models. That way you have more space for a small enclosure too. The sound will be a lot better if you can do that.
haha yeah well I filmed this before we did the AF project, but that kind of thing gives my gray background "character." Yeah that's what I'll call it. :))
@@tsgmultimedia Naw, I don't, my two Bachmann locomotives are either dead, or on there last leg, im surprised that my ho scale dash-840w from the 90's is still going after god knows how long. My experience with Bachmann locomotives is as poor as a hobo in a boxcar, and the exact opposite can be said with their rolling stock.
@@JDsHouseofHobbies My success soldering is only from practice. I find flux to be very helpful. If you don't have any, two tips I'd suggest: 1) don't use an iron that's too hot. 2) heat up the area where the solder has to flow before you try adding the solder.
I like the fact that you took a "Botchmann" spectrum Locomotive and turned it into a serious sound locomotive
Your skills have advanced quite a bit, thanks for taking us on this journey. You included a lot of good information.
Thanks, Joe. I'm just trying to show people the stuff that made it easy for me to understand.
Two words …excellent video
Glad you liked it!
Great Video John, you show every step it take to make it work. I love that very much
Thank, Sarge. There's a little thrill that comes along with putting something on the track and having it work.
Awesome video. Thanks for doing this.
Hi John: Get "how to" video. I'm going to try it myself. This gives me the confidence to go forward. THANKS!!
Thanks, Dean! That was the intention. More to come!
Great install you are giving me the courage to try this just have to get the right loco to try it on
Give it a shot! You can do it!
Nice job John, runs smooth for a older model. Backroads
Yeah if I had it to do over I would not have bought that train set.
Awesome install John! Nicely done. I hope to see more HO scale installs.
There's more HO stuff in the pipeline. I have one more N scale install to do as well. I had hoped to try out some weathering this winter but I seem to be running out of time!
Great video John!
Thanks Larry!
Hi, amazing video and amazing skills. I do have a Bachmann Spectrum D8-40c diesel loco item#85059 decide ready, what decoder should I buy for it? Thank you so much!
Very informative video and my only question is can this decoder support ditch lights and what size was that speaker?
Decoder: ESU/LokSound Select Direct Micro.
Speaker 11mmx15mm 8 Ohms.
wow you have better eyes than I do. I had to use a magnifier head gear just to watch the video. lol
great job on the install, and hard wiring the decoder in, is the way to go. bit more work but will perform better and longer. love it N scale with sound..
amazing i say
I use extreme magnification :))
Nice job
Great instal guide video, really useful. I am going to do all my own sound decoder installs after getting one that had a dead decoder and the worst soldering ever from the factory on a $250 locomotive. Do you use the lokprogrammer to add sound files? (Edit:Doh yep you do use the Lokprogrammer, ok then...) Could you review that? Possibly even with JMRI and DCC++ and a Digitrax or NCE system to show if it plays nice with others?
Hi Ken, and yes, I used the ESU LokProgrammer to add the sound set. As far as I know, that's the only way you can change the sound in ESU decoders. People complain that it costs extra $$ to buy the programmer but what they don't take into consideration is that I can re-use any ESU LokSound decoder now. So I could take the decoder out of this diesel engine and use it in a steam engine simply by changing the sound set. No need to buy another decoder if I were to do that.
I'm not sure the programmer needs to be reviewed but I'll consider that because it's a very useful component.
Great video on an installation, you made it simple and a good steps, like the way you explained each step too, but do you have a video on programming a decoder as I'm still a little intemadated at doing it....thanks for a great video, Jack 😁
Hi Jack, I have videos about JMRI which is probably the easiest way to manipulate most decoders. Not sure if you count that, but I can think of two right off the top of my head. Look for MR101 JMRI
@@tsgmultimedia I'll start there....thanks
Hi, Is that ESU LokSound Select Micro decoder come with the sound? Do you need to burn the sound file into the decoder?
If you watch the program, you can find the answer :)
If you have lights that are too white/high color temp, use a piece of kapton tape to bring the color temp down/yellow it. Depending on the color you're looking for, it make only take a tiny piece covering a portion of the LED, or cover the whole LED. Multiple layers of kapton may be needed for really bright LEDs.
good work
When installing wires to a motor, while it is good to try and get the Pos/Neg correct with the Orange/Grey wires, its not entirely that important to remember. If, after its all done, the locomotive does go the wrong direction (forwards is backwards ect) you can easily change the Normal Direction of Travel (NDoT) in the CV values (Check your Decoders Manual to find the value to change). This will then fix the direction issue, instead of having to go back and take the whole thing apart to change the wires.
I'm curious about the track cleaning box cars in the "road test". Are they satisfactory? Can just a single car do the trick? And who makes them? And thanks.
Those track cleaning cars have been at the layout for a long time. I'm not even sure where they came from. I'd guess they were purchased. I'd try a search engine online and see what you find. Some guys bring those fancy brass tank cars to help keep the track clean and I suspect those work better.
I have the older version of this. Got it when I was about 7. I'm 27 now
Oh what a tangled web we weave, while we figure out how to preceed !? 😊
Thank you for the great instructional video John. I have 6 Bachmann Spectrums that I've wanted to convert but am nervous to tear into them. You made it look so simple. What brand and where did you find the speaker? Once again thanks John for all the great videos.
That particular speaker is one I found on eBay that's very similar to the ESU 50321 speaker. It's 11mmx15mm. I'd recommend 8mmx12mm if you're working on N scale models. That way you have more space for a small enclosure too. The sound will be a lot better if you can do that.
@@tsgmultimedia yes, I am working on nscale locos.
Looks like there’s still some vintage American Flyer grease left on that felt! Lol
haha yeah well I filmed this before we did the AF project, but that kind of thing gives my gray background "character." Yeah that's what I'll call it. :))
FYI the horn should be a Leslie RS-3L as delivered.
Thanks!
I think bachmann recently re-released this model.
Anyone want to buy this thing? :D
TSG Multimedia sure if you weathered it 100%
@@Trainerboy321 haha you wouldn't want me to weather it. Not now anyway. I haven't weathered anything before so i'd probably mess it up.
Il take it. As long as it is under $100 plus shipping, it would Be a gift for my family n-scale layout.
@@BattleshipOrion I think the decoder and speaker alone are worth over $100! You don't value Bachmann loco much, do ya? :))
@@tsgmultimedia Naw, I don't, my two Bachmann locomotives are either dead, or on there last leg, im surprised that my ho scale dash-840w from the 90's is still going after god knows how long. My experience with Bachmann locomotives is as poor as a hobo in a boxcar, and the exact opposite can be said with their rolling stock.
And no one under thirteen was harmed in any way
Looks like a drive shaft to me
Soldering has never been my friend. lol
Just takes a little practice really. :D
@@tsgmultimedia It's been a long time since I tried to solder anything. Maybe some wires to a rail joiner, that's about it.
@@JDsHouseofHobbies My success soldering is only from practice. I find flux to be very helpful. If you don't have any, two tips I'd suggest: 1) don't use an iron that's too hot. 2) heat up the area where the solder has to flow before you try adding the solder.
I will never buy bachman locomotive. Kato makes a better engine.