Speaker baffle idea

[richg1998]

 I just found this in a different forum Some of you might be interested. NOT my idea. He uses a SoundTraxx Micro-Tsunami in a HO scale older dockside loco. You can see the sound capacitor in one photo. The writer says it works fine but be aware, he uses sheet lead. He says it kind of looks like a saddle tank.

 The sheet lead covers the gear box. You might want to experiment.

Rich

[cacole]

richg1998

The writer says it works fine but be aware, he uses sheet lead.

   Rich

 

Using sheet lead is no problem as long as you don't eat it.  I've been using sheet lead, solder, and lead shot for over 60 years and it has had no effect on me.

[cmarchan]

This is a good example of an enclosure made from lead; it makes an excellent enclosure; pointing the speaker upwards creates forward pressure against the body. A good move IMO.

[DJO]

Why use lead when plastic is cheap? also easy to shape and glue together to make a speaker box. Is lead better?

[selector]

Yes, because it can add, or replace, weight where material is removed from what was shaped and provided in the manufacturing process if a decoder is installed.  The only issue arising might be if the added weight alters the center of gravity, or the balance of weight on the driving wheels sufficiently that it degrades the traction.

[rrinker]

 There is also an article on the Digitrax Sound Yahoo Group (not the regualr Digitrax one, this is a different one specifically on the various sound decoders from Digitrax) on how typical plastic enclosures 'flex' too much and transmit too much of the sound, defeating the purpose of isolating the front and rear of the speaker. The author of that article uses several other materials more dense than plastic, and got better results. He also used bits of Woodland Scenics foam roadbed to truly seal the speaker into the enclosure.

                                    --Randy