This was a really good choice for my first hard wiring attempt. After jeffrey-wimberly posted his tutorial for me, I was able to figure out the slight differences and the conversion went off without a hitch…well, one.
Before: This old loco has a lot of space inside for tinkering…sure helps not having a narrow body. Also, this was a real cheapie off Ebay. If it didn’t work, I wouldn’t cry.
Using a Soundtraxx DSD090 generic diesel decoder that was left over in my tool case. This is a mini decoder, but I could have fit a very large one in this BL2. This decoder left a lot of room for a good-sized oval speaker. Lots of open exhaust vents above in the shell.
But the trouble with Soundtraxx is that one has to take the extra step of wiring in a resistor and a capacitor if changing the lights to LEDs to prevent unwanted glow when the LED should be off.
Double Knuckle Panavise with suction cups, and a magnifier with a light are invaluable to old, shaky near-sighted people.
All converted, now.
Looks good. Shell has plenty of room. Wait a minute!..It runs backwards and the lights are reversed! Double-checked the wiring…its ok according to colour codes…must be a quirk of the old engine…motor leads or pickups are opposite to the tutorial or