AR Kits 45 decoder installation including Sound.

I have added a few decoders to AR Kits 45, a TCS T1, TCS M1 and a Soundtraxx DSD-100LC for sound. This was my first sound installation and was easy. Suggest a sound installation in this loco. Note: Soundtraxx DSD-100LCs are a “noisy” decoder and don’t operate LEDs correctly. They don’t switch them off when the headlights are selected off they flash dimly. I have fitted TCS T1s to the two sound locos.

	This installation shows the TCS M1. It is located between the headlight bracket and the weight and just held in by taping the harness to the circuit board. No weight removal. This is worth the extra $10 for less hassle. All the decoder harness connections are made to the board. Cut the tracks and wire in jumper leads for the pickup circuit from front to rear of the circuit board. Using the TCS M1 makes for a really easy installation. This installation shows a LED located on top of the headlight bracket for a better headlight than the original. I left the original 12 volt incandescent headlight in the difusser for the clearance and number board lights and below shows what happens.
	The original 12 volt headlight left in the diffuser develops a lot of heat and has damaged the diffuser. For this reason and the inconsistent brilliance of incandescent lamps I replace all my 12 incandescent headlights. See my web page on Lights. I will replace the lamp with two 3.0 mm LEDs.
	This installation shows a TCS T1. Remove the weight and remove 6 mm from the top to allow for decoder installation. The wiring is he same as the above installation. At $25 you can save $10 but using the M1 above makes for an easier installation. Lights are the same as above.
	Dismantle loco. Remove top, footplate, bogies, drive shafts and motor. Remove fuel tank cover by sliding air cylinders outwards. Cut metal weight that locates in the fuel tank with a hacksaw. This will enable the speaker to be paced in the plastic fuel tank. Cut out hole in bottom of tank plastic housing as shown. A Soundtraxx 810113 (.63” X 1.38”) speaker fits neatly in the fuel tank. I used a piece of stocking to cover speaker. Fit capacitor if supplied with the decoder with the speaker. Fit wires to the outside and make suitable terminals with the wires to fit decoder wiring to later. Fit a cover of styrene or cardboard to the back of the fuel tank. This will now be a suitable enclosure for the speaker.
	Reassemble loco. Locate fuel tank and speaker. Remove weight and cut about 7 – 8 mm of the top for decoder. Remove the circuit board and wire all decoder wires to relevant connections. For track pick ups wire a jumper lead between front and back. Connect two purple wires to “connections” on the speaker box.
	This loco with the light brackets makes for easy headlight installation and I have canged the singe 12 volt incandescent to two Prototype White 3 mm LEDs from DCC Concepts. The LEDs are secured with glue and the leads are cut. The voltage dropping resistors are fitted at the bracket, one per LED. Use 1,000 ohms as supplied with the LEDs. Fitting headlights can be time consuming, but this 45 installation is easy with the bracket attached to the footplate, Makes for easy wiring and the lights are not on the body. LEDs are polarity conscious. The “flat” is the cathode and is NEGITIVE. Connect to function white or yellow wire to this lead.
	Attach blue wire to the “common” resistor lead. The resistors can be wired into either lead but in this case they are connected to the “positive” lead. The photo shows the difference between LED healight on the left and one 12 volt incandescent headlight on the right. Remember if using the original headlights the diffuser may be damaged by the heat the lamp generates. Loco onto the Program Track and check.