RETIRED GUY PROJECTS

[Kusojiji]

NP! Aren't we all! haha

 

[Kusojiji]

Finally started putting folks into my JNR passenger cars. Starting at the rear of the train, the OHAFU33 received all of the rest of the peoples that I have. Going to have to order more.

Heck, even selfie girl made it in.

 

[Kusojiji]

D51 DCC sound continues.

Forgot that the tender has a subchassis and it interfered with the connector slot, so had to cut part of it as well as clearance the weights.

Also added wires to the pickups to help with reliability.

 

[Kusojiji]

The Kato pax kit for the Bernina Express included a server since it is for the first class cars, so I added two to first class.

Second class car didn't get one.

But, granny managed to sweet talk one in to load her up.

While the young lady is looking a bit miffed...

 

[Kusojiji]

I bought the RHB Glacier Express to complement the Bernina Express. What I didn't know is that these cars have no provisions for interior lighting. I was going to shelf the cars, but I started looking at battery lights. I had these magnetic LED pucks.

So I removed the LED and wired the LED strip to it with a 470 ohm resistor.

Tested just right.

Now I can move forward with detailing the interior and then adding some peeps. The only bad thing about these pucks is that they drain the battery when sitting since it has to detect the magnet.

 

[Kusojiji]

And got rid of them horrid couplers.

That's the last of what I had. Need to order more.

 

[Kusojiji]

Ordered some Kadee #17s for my Rapido Pannier. I like the knuckle head to be right in line with the buffers. (yeah, the other knuckle head, not the one typing).
The rear with #18.

The rear with the #17. Just right.

The front with the #17.

Performed some surgery on the coupler pocket and coupler. Removed about 3 mm. Used goop to secure it in.

Came out poifect!

Then tested with a wagon and coach in compression on a R550 switch.

All good.

 

[Kusojiji]

Started detailing the Glacier Express. The 1st class cars have brown interiors so I needed to get some gray carpeting installed. Also added the headrest sheets. The 2nd class car has the dark gray interior, so the carpet is good. I needed to install the wooden table tops and white headrest sheets. The bar car (panorama) is going to take a lot to do since I need to do the floors and the countertops. Floors will be the same gray carpet that 1st class has and the counter tops will be the same wooden stuff that are on all the tables. The walls in the aisle are white, so that's good. The kitchen side - I gotta think about that one.

I may paint the 1st class carpet a darker gray...

 

[Frenchie]

Beautiful models !

 

[Kusojiji]

Yeah, I think so too. I would like to actually ride one of these, but the trip to get there would probably be unbearable for me. I'll just be watching the videos I guess.

Waiting for my shipment of peeps to install.

 

[migalyto]

Don't know how I always get so behind on this thread, but finally caught up.....Again!

Great work as Usual!

 

[Bruette]

NP! Aren't we all! haha

 

[Bruette]

Don't know how I always get so behind on this thread,

Our Kujo works like a mad dog with brilliant craftsmanship. Aint it fun to watch!

 

[migalyto]

Our Kujo works like a mad dog with brilliant craftsmanship. Aint it fun to watch!

Sure is!

 

[Kusojiji]

Don't know how I always get so behind on this thread, but finally caught up.....Again!

Great work as Usual!

Haha, NP! I am constantly finding something to do.

Our Kujo works like a mad dog with brilliant craftsmanship. Aint it fun to watch!

Thanks guys!

 

[Kusojiji]

Started my soundtraxx ECONAMI PNP decoder into a Kato C44-9W. I been watching too many Frenchie movies...

Took the original PCB out.

I didn't cut any wires so that I can make it reversible. First up was to mark locations of the LEDs and get the polarity correct.

I decided on a 10K resistor for the headlight. Yeah, waaaayyyyy too dim, so have to go back in. It looked good on my test stand though.

I saw a video where the guy mounted a sugar cube above the rear truck, so I gave that a try. I added a shroud to the body around the tail light runner to help create a sound box.

 

[Kusojiji]

Got all the wires soldered in. Put the ditch LED on FX3, which is assigned to F24.

Head and ditch lights on. Not enough.

So that sound box ended up working too well. I have the main volume all the way down to 30 and it is still too loud. When I go back in to change the resistors, I will remove that shroud and see what happens.

Zipped up the video.

 

[Kusojiji]

Changed the head and tail light resistors to 1K and the ditch to 470 ohms. Much better.

 

[Frenchie]

Very interesting the way you installed the cube speaker, I retain the idea for the day my flat speakers will die.
I use 12v leds with 10K factory installed resistors and intensity is perfect.
I don’t know the Econami decoders though, I use Blunamis. I even slightly lower the intensity using the "light effects" feature in the app. During operations it's also possible to use the "dimmer" function as on the prototype.
Could it be the runners length ? It should be the same on the main track than on the test stand.
I cut them short and attach the leds against them using heat shrink tubing.
Concerning the sound, Blunamis deliver 2A, so I keep the sound volume low since I think my speakers accept only 1A, I prefer the low volume anyway. Again volume is ajustable with the app.
Maybe 2 cubes in parallel would be better providing there is enough room.

 

[Frenchie]

Now I have a doubt about my resistors, I gotta check.