How I Install DCC/Sound/LEDs In A Kato AC4400CW - Part 1
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- Опубліковано 10 лип 2014
- Step by step install of a Soundtraxx Tsunami AT-1000 DCC/Sound decoder into an older run Kato AC4400CW. A look at how I install dual speakers in this model as well as replace the Kato tube lighting with 603 SMD LEDs.
The reason I use the AT-1000 (Atlas) decoder is simply because it is very easy to wire with LEDs and fits onto the Kato chassis with a simple modification.
Materials List:
KATO AC4400CW
Soundtraxx Tsunami AT-1000
Soundtraxx 1" round speaker
Zimo 10x15x11 cell phone speaker
Some single conductor wire
Some super flexible stranded wire (Thanks WestCoastRails)
Soldering Iron
Safety Glasses
Solder
(6) 603 Surface Mount DIode "Sunny White" LEDs with 6'' leads wired in ditch light configuration. (The leads come off the back of the LED at 90*)
(6) 1/4 watt 1000 ohm resistors
Silicone
Shrink Tubing
Thanks to Rarawer for inspiring me to start trying these dual speaker installs. They sound absolutely amazing.
/ rarawer
Thanks to WestCoastRails for recommending the Ngineering super flexible #29 wire.
/ westcoastrails
See and hear 2 Kato's with this exact install running on my layout:
• HO Beater Fleet Canadi... - Розваги
Fantastic! I will be doing this to a Kato Dash 9 in the future. This will come in handy. Now onto part 2!
I am very glad you found the video useful Deryk. Thanks for your feedback.
Ben
This was very nice to finally see the way you upgrade and what parts you use. Thanks so much.
No problem, I am glad you found the video useful.
Awesome! This will really help when I start doing installs like this! Thanks for sharing! I look forward to part two!
Thanks man! That's why I made it, hopefully it saves you some time and maybe prevents a few of the mistakes I made on the first couple.
Great info video. Thanks for sharing. Now part 2
Scott
Thank you Scott! I'll get editing!
Hey man this is fantastic! I'm actually looking at getting a kato cefx 1021 along with a cp 9532 in and I will for sure be using this process for all my locos! Thanks for doing this!
Have you ever done a video installation of a Kato with Decoder Buddy + ESU V5 Card?
I have been searching UA-cam. Although I your video is the closest I have found. Good Video
Glad you found it helpful!
Hey Ben, really nice "how to" Video ! Thanks for calling my "name" ! I love the Zimo in my Katos ! My old SD90/43MAC CEFX became a second Speaker too, the Zimo to the Soundtraxx oval speaker ! The Sound is incredible ! I wait for part two !
Hi Matthias, no problem my friend, your videos inspired me to try this install out. These Kato's that I have done this install to are my favourite locomotives.
I think I need a "How-to pronounce Ra-ra-wer" video! haha
Ben
Good job with the video it is easy to follow. I watched because I have yet to install a DCC decoder. I was particularly interested in the LED installation. One question, why not install the clear plastic lenses provided by Kato, drill them from the back and install LEDs in the hole (wouldn't work for the ditch lights)?
Great!!!
Thanks!!! I appreciate your comments.
Nice work Ben!....waiting on part two for the SMD leds...LOL. If you knew the value of the onboard resistors on the KT1000 decoder, you wouldn't have to muck around with the AT1000 ? You would just add the value to get 1k for the SMD's? I might just send Soundtrax an email! ...cause I HATE that bloody resistor on the Atlas boards..LOL Thanks mate., good video.
Cheers Gregg:-)
I meant "capacitor".....I hate the bloody capacitor.....LOL....Gregg's getting upset!!....LOL
Thanks Greg. I only used the AT board because the KT one comes with the lights attached to the board for the tube lighting. Since I am not using the tube lighting, I like the AT decoder because its easy to wire the LEDs to it, and as you saw it fits perfectly onto the Kato chassis. The capacitor is the round cylinder shaped thing that hangs off of it right, haha, yah its a pain.
Ben
BArailsystem Fair enough! I don't know why the Atlas board is the only one with it?
Cheers Gregg:-)
Ben - Just curious why You use solid core wiring for the motor leads? Doesn't current travel to the outermost available area and that is why we use muti-stranded wire. I could be wrong. As usual I love your videos! By the way your installs are so neat and clean (mine are a real mess).
I use the solid core for the motor leads because when I put the bends in it, it holds its form and is easy to solder in. Not really necessary in this particular case because the AT-1000 fits the Kato screw mounts, but other times it is nice having those solid motor leads and they actually hold the decoder in place. That is what I did for the Kaslo SD40-2F, the decoder is held up in the air inside the shell by the 18 gauge motor leads.
As far as conductivity, I asked an electrician and he says there really is no risk of overloading the ampacity rating of the 18 gauge motor leads. I'm pretty sure my Digitrax DB150 is only capable of about 5 amps but don't quote me on that.
Glad you are enjoying these vids, I hope it prevents you from making some of the mistakes I made.
Ben I don' t think you have mentioned it yet in the video why are you using an Atlas decoder that Is not for the Kato ac4000.
There is a little blurb about it in the video info. Basically the Kato board comes with lights attached for the tubes - unnecessary if you are upgrading the lighting to LEDs. Therefore, it is easier to use the Atlas board as it is simple to wire for LEDs and fits the Kato chassis well.
lol apparently I am not to good at opening show more info thank you 8-)
BArailsystem
also you save 15-16$ for one board (KT1000 95,99$ & AT1000 79,99$)
Very nice.
Rarawer Yes thats true! I also forgot about that, thank you for pointing that out Matthias! Especially when doing multiple locomotives like I did, 15$/decoder adds up.
So this KATO was alrady ready for a speaker install out of the box>?
Yes, at 3:14 that is the stock Kato chassis with the speaker enclosure in the fuel tank.
i thought so. Id like to see a video where someone puts a speaker in a Loco that was designed to have one in it.
I have a Kato AC4400CW, now I know what my summer project will be. Where do I pick up a Zimo speaker?
I got them from modeltrainstuff.com
Im not complaining or anything but i wish you would of showed what you were doing instead of jumping from scene to scene. Only cuz i plan on putting sound into some of my locos eventually and want to learn all i can. Thanks
Sorry man. These how-I videos are not my forte. They are very tedious to make and it's hard to strike a balance between showing absolutely everything and keeping the video length in-check. This video is going to be probably 30 minutes plus, which is already really long in my opinion.
No need to say sorry. Wasnt trying to complain just saying it would be nice to see the whole thing. I also realize thats not always possible. Still watched the whole video and learned quite a bit. Thanks for sharing man.
Matt Jenkins No problem dude, I appreciate the feedback. I'm always looking for ways to improve my videos for you guys.
Just out of curious what is the gauge of the wire for the motor leads?
The motor leads I used in this video were 18 gauge solid conductor.