speaker placement for HO Proto 2000 GP-7

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Purchased a recent vintage HO Proto 2000 GP-7 and looking to install DCC sound into the loco. I’m using a Soundtraxx PnP decode made for this model and a small 0.8 in speaker as my dealer thinks it should be mounted in the cab roof. Normally I’d build or use the baffle enclosure for this speaker - but the Soundtraxx baffle is way to big. So the question is how to mount the speaker?

Options I can see (without removing the weight and filling it down ):

  1. edge glue the speaker to the cab roof with RTV
  2. reduce the height of one of the baffle rings and RTV speaker/baffle to the roof
  3. build custom enclosure and mount at cant in forward hole over drive shaft (a fussy fitting job).

Anyone have some advise/experience with this one?

thanks

Charles

2

The answer is: fit it where you can.

David B

3

Try www.litchfieldstation.com they have many sound installation examples

4

Charles,

I recommend the TDS Mini Oval speaker along with the mini oval enclosure from Tony’s Train Exchange. I recently installed one of these in a P2K GP9 by gluing the enclosure and speaker to the ceiling of the cab, glue or some double sided tape can be used. The sound is excellent and no modifications need to be made to the locomotive other than rerouting the wires for the headlight, I painted the wires black so they wouldn’t be noticeable thru the cab windows. I’d also recommend installing LED’s while you’re at it.

The measurements for the enclosure are 1.05" x 0.63" x 0.25", I can vouch for the sound quality and have installed this speaker and enclosure in two locomotives.

Don

5

I recently purchased a HO P2K GP-7 from Walthers on sale for $129.99 with DCC and QSI sound which has 2 speakers. I’m sure your going to wind up paying more in the long run and not having the same sound quality. Of course you just may like installing sound units from DC units.

Watch their adds for more and more HO P2K DCC/Sound units are being put on sale cutting off about $95.00 each.

Unless you just love rebuilding them it’s just not worth it, but then again this is my opinion and doesnt count in some societies.[:-^]

Anyway, good luck. [:)]

6

Wanted to thank all for their comments. Found that the TDS mini oval speaker was the best choice to fit in the cab roof. I did have to file down some mounting tabs that the original light board used and small bit of sanding on the inside of the shell as the new DCC board & plug are just a bit higher than the original setup. Now just need to tweak a few CVs, etc and I’m good to go.

Charles