Okay, I'm new to DCC but not new to the hobby. I got hooked on DCC and especially sound (does this sound familiar?) I've installed about 6 or 7 sound decoders and found them to be quite simple, particularly when using the drop in Genisis and Atlas types. Most have been Soundtraxx which to date is my favorite brand..
Well. I have this beautiful little Athearn Genisis Mp15 AC and I want to install DCC/sound. Dopey me, I order the Genisis drop in board for a 645 non-turbo. My decoder arrives and I take the engine apart and guess what? Apparently because of the smaller size (motor length) the drop in decoder does not fit. It is longer than the motor. (Note to self: Take loco apart before ordering decoder.) Obviously I should have ordered the tailed version with the shrink wrap cover? I go over to my local Pusher (hobby shop) and he has the shrinkwrap version in stock. I assume, again, that all I'll have to do is just plug in the 9 pin connector and I'm good to go. WRONG AGAIN. The shrink wrap variety cannot just be plugged into and taped to the existinig board because there is too much bulk to cram back under the hood. It appears that the factory board must be removed and the decoder hard wired in.
Now for the question. IF I remove the factory board, can anyone assure me that by hardwiring, the decoder will now fit in the hood? I'm not afraid of soldering, been at this hobby for over 50 years. I just want some assurance that before I start shortening leads etc. that when I get done this will fit. Hopefully somebody out there has tried this install. Before I screw up this install again I thought I had better ask.
Would it be possible to exchange for a sound-equipped MP15AC from Athearn? They now use Soundtraxx decoders. There is not much room in there, as you found out. The factory speaker goes over the front truck.
I would think the board replacement style would fit, just extends past the motor a little bit.
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com
Way past the exchange route. Bought the loco in CO while on vacation and I live in NE. If your picture is of the factory install, then that is a hybrid board and not even close to the normal Genisis drop ins. I tried every which way to make the drop in board fit, but too many compromises. IF all else fails I can always install a micro decoder. It just appears to me that if I were to remove the factory board and tape the decoder to the motor. that would give me enough clearance, but would like to see if somenone has done this already.
That is the factory non-sound board. i haven't taken apart a sound version to see what it looks like inside. Back when I got these, Athearn was still using MRC sound, which is not desirable, many problems with it.
If you remove the factory board, you should have enough room. A small oval speaker over the front truck, facing down, should work also.
You've discovered the same thing I did when I bought the so-called drop-in TSU-GN1000 for my Genesis MP15AC.....IT DIDN'T FIT!!! The one that does fit is the TSU-AT1000. This neccesitates removal of the factory board, hard wiring the new decoder and tucking the external capacitor thru the opening into the cab (is just fits), and , altho you can see it thru the cab windows, it's not too objectionable. In conversations with Soundtraxx, they actually admitted that the installation of the TSU-GN100 would be "very challenging".
Good luck.
The speaker and enclosure are key too. I used a smaller medium speaker with card stock on end openings. Speaker mounted in radiator area, pointed down. Had to file down sides to fit. But, it sounds great!
Train Modeler:
Any possibility of some pics of the install?
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I too found that installing the TSU-AT1000 was a "wee" bit more than a drop in replacement.
I removed the factory board, front weight and filed off the mounting studs, CA'd 2 strips of .060 square styrene onto the frame to support the decoder. I then mounted the speaker enclosure to the area where the front weight had been. I was able to locate the capacitor in the area where the "air filter" cover is and used a very small drop of "Goo" to mount it to the decoder. This keeps the cab area clear. I still want to mount a "MARS" beacon to the cab roof and just posted a couple of questions about that. I didn't have to do any "mods" to the body at all. Did add a couple of cab "personnel" and modified the rear light wiring so that only 2 wires are seen from outside. Did the same to the front lights, this lessened the amount of leads I had to find space for in and around the decoder. I have pictures but still haven't figured out how to post them yet. Oh....I also did away with the Atheran wire connectors and soldered all leads direct to the board. Besure to tin the leads before attempting this. Tining makes the connection very quick with a 25w iron.
Hello!
Have you pictures of the installation?