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Stewart Hobbies VO-1000

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  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Friday, January 30, 2009 8:56 AM

A loksound won't fit easily.

If you look at Bowser's website, they sell loksound chassis only for the VO-1000.  You will note the chasis is different.  They lopped off a bit of pot metal up front so they had room for the speaker.

 

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 63 posts
Posted by DANSGRANDPAPA on Friday, January 30, 2009 7:38 AM

Thats true, but if you add a sound decoder you have to plan for the area used up by the speaker. These narrow hood locos can be a challenge. I have installed a speaker on the underside of the cab roof pointing down.

Doug

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, January 30, 2009 7:38 AM

 Well other than the not so minor issue of finding a place for the speaker and enclosure. It CAN be done but will require a good bit of modification of the loco to make it all fit.

                                      --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: missouri
  • 430 posts
Posted by Been Nothing Since Frisco (BNSF) on Friday, January 30, 2009 6:55 AM

 So adding a lokosound decoder would be the same prinsapal as a "TCS MC2-VO" or NEC decoder right?

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 63 posts
Posted by DANSGRANDPAPA on Thursday, January 29, 2009 8:24 PM

Just got home from work to go through my 3 ring I keep on my loco's, I used an NCE KRS-SR. Im old now but it truely must have gone smooth because no blood pressure increase was noticed when I found the page..Big Smile

 By the way, if you ARE new to this, dont be too nearvous. Its alright. We all did our first conversion, and you have some INCREDABLE, COOL, nice help here on this site. I know, Ive asked some dilly questions. But if I might recommend, I bought a three ring binder, some of those clear three ring binder envelopes, and have my locos in order by size, with a digital photo on the front side of the envelope and my decoder paperwork when you flip the page. In the front pcket of the binder i have a hand written roster in loco number board order so i never use the number twice. Like I said, im old.

Doug

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Thursday, January 29, 2009 6:09 PM

  BNSF

 Easy decoder instal. Order a TCS MC2 -VO it comes with the short VO harness. Instal decoder put on program track, run. Its that easy. It takes longer to put the hand rails and wipers on.

   Pete

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Mo.
  • 227 posts
Posted by armchair on Thursday, January 29, 2009 5:34 PM

 Like everyone said,this is an easy dcc install. This was one of the smoothest running out of box loco I ever converted .Slow crawl speed. A great switcher .

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Thursday, January 29, 2009 2:45 PM

Been Nothing Since Frisco (BNSF)
How do you put DCC into a Stewart Hobbies VO-1000? Is it a PC bord, 8 or 9 pin plug or hard wire?

8 pin socket. 

It's a nice little engine, but room is TIGHT under the hood.  I barely managed to shoehorn a Lenz Gold decoder under there.

Mine ran quite a bit quieter after I put a little greese on the drive gear.  After about 10 hours, it was really super quiet at switching speeds

Also, be careful of the bronze strips used to feed power to the lights.  They break off easy.

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 63 posts
Posted by DANSGRANDPAPA on Thursday, January 29, 2009 2:01 PM

If you are new at this decoder installation stuff you picked a good one, its easy and you will be very pleased with how it runs. I love the stewart stuff, all i ever had before i got my first stewart were Athearn B.B.'s. I will never forget seeing something run (DC) without any noise .....

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: St. Paul
  • 823 posts
Posted by garya on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 11:15 PM

8-pin plug.  See http://www.tcsdcc.com/decoderpics/vo.html for an example.

Gary

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: missouri
  • 430 posts
Stewart Hobbies VO-1000
Posted by Been Nothing Since Frisco (BNSF) on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 9:00 PM

 How do you put DCC into a Stewart Hobbies VO-1000? Is it a PC bord, 8 or 9 pin plug or hard wire?

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