Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2013 22:54:08 GMT -5
Hello group,
I am in the process of upgrading one of the newest releases of Athearns RTR SD40-2 models with a KATO motor and a Tsunami GN-1000 decoder and I am running into a couple road blocks. I have found where others have successfully done this via google search but it has been with older releases of the SD40-2 or with a slightly different decoder/speaker/motor combo.
First problem, it seems that the Tsunami GN board is a bit too wide to fit in the long hood towards the top of the shell. there are areas where the mold of the shell is thicker toward the top and the decoder gets wedged in there TIGHT to the point of pulling it off the motor when separating the shell from the frame and I have to pry it out. I have considered going in with a dremel and thinning out the inside of the shell but I am afraid of melting it.
Second problem, for the re-motor I purchased an A-line motor cradle to raise the KATO motor to the proper position. I got the one made specifically for the Athearn SD40-2. It appeared to be the correct shape to fit into the fuel tank recess however it was WAY to big. the instructions said it would be necessary to remove the flash from the mold but this was way beyond that. I had to grind quite a bit off the width of the cradle to get it to fit, and then when it did go in it did not lift the motor high enough and i ended up having to use some double sided tape anyway.
What gives? Has Athearn changed there tooling for the SD40-2 that much with the latest runs or am I doing something horribly wrong on both counts??
Lastly, I have seen a lot of recommendations for the Railmaster Bass Reflex speaker w/enclosure and had seen some installs on the web where others had used it for this model. However, I have having one heck of a time trying to get the GN1000 decoder to fit in the shell with this speaker. Anyone with some insight on that would be much appreciated.
Thanks for any help
Tom
I am in the process of upgrading one of the newest releases of Athearns RTR SD40-2 models with a KATO motor and a Tsunami GN-1000 decoder and I am running into a couple road blocks. I have found where others have successfully done this via google search but it has been with older releases of the SD40-2 or with a slightly different decoder/speaker/motor combo.
First problem, it seems that the Tsunami GN board is a bit too wide to fit in the long hood towards the top of the shell. there are areas where the mold of the shell is thicker toward the top and the decoder gets wedged in there TIGHT to the point of pulling it off the motor when separating the shell from the frame and I have to pry it out. I have considered going in with a dremel and thinning out the inside of the shell but I am afraid of melting it.
Second problem, for the re-motor I purchased an A-line motor cradle to raise the KATO motor to the proper position. I got the one made specifically for the Athearn SD40-2. It appeared to be the correct shape to fit into the fuel tank recess however it was WAY to big. the instructions said it would be necessary to remove the flash from the mold but this was way beyond that. I had to grind quite a bit off the width of the cradle to get it to fit, and then when it did go in it did not lift the motor high enough and i ended up having to use some double sided tape anyway.
What gives? Has Athearn changed there tooling for the SD40-2 that much with the latest runs or am I doing something horribly wrong on both counts??
Lastly, I have seen a lot of recommendations for the Railmaster Bass Reflex speaker w/enclosure and had seen some installs on the web where others had used it for this model. However, I have having one heck of a time trying to get the GN1000 decoder to fit in the shell with this speaker. Anyone with some insight on that would be much appreciated.
Thanks for any help
Tom
