Western Master loco

[Harbottle 1937]

Is it possible to put a sound decoder into the GWR class 2721 that comes with this starter set, the loco is dcc fitted but I can only see a 4 pin connection when removing the body from the chassis

[Chrissaf]

This assumes you are proposing a Hornby TTS sound decoder and not another sound decoder brand.

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It is doable, but only if you have enough space for the decoder & speaker PLUS the 8 pin to 4 pin conversion harness you will have to buy or make yourself. The harness will need to be a 8 pin NEM652 socket to a 4 pin Female Plug (see image below).

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Alternatively, and this is not recommended as it will make life difficult if you need to replace the sound decoder under warranty, you could cut off the TTS 8 pin plug and terminate the Red, Black, Orange & Grey wires to a 4 pin female plug. The other 5 decoder wires would be insulated and unused. The four middle wires on the 8 pin socket, plus the purple flying lead wire on the decoder making the total of 5 wires.

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I can't find a ready made conversion harness, so you would more than likely need to make your own.

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Suitable (example supplier) 8 pin wired NEM 652 socket.

4 Pin female plug (example supplier).

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Pin 1 in the drawing is Orange

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As stated previously you will need to double check the available space inside the body before contemplating this modification. The standard TTS speaker may also need to be replaced with a much smaller 'Sugar Cube' type (non Hornby).

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[96RAF]

Albeit mine was the pre-DCC ready version...

http://myweb.cytanet.com.cy/honnor/article1.html

Rob

[Fishmanoz]

While it is good practice to mount decoders into sockets where you can, Rob gives the clue at the top of his linked article - with space at a premium, forget about the 4-pin socket, decoder plug and conversion harness, cut off the decoder plug and direct wire it to the pickups and motor. 

 

Then if still having a problem finding room for the speaker, noting that Rob was able to fit it, you can save more space by using a sugar cube speaker.

[96RAF]

Using a sugar cube as suggested by Fishy the decoder plug could be modified to a four pin and go in the loco body and a sugar cube could be mounted on the cab floor.

Rob

[Chrissaf]

@Harbottle

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Your 'white arrow in blue button' reply to my image post was published this morning having had to wait until Monday morning for admin to approve it. Now removed, as no new text content was seen in it.

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You will have better luck with your replies if you do not use the 'white arrow in the blue box' button. This is not a 'Reply to this post' button. It is better to write your reply in the 'Reply text box' at the bottom of the page and click the green 'Reply' button.

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Particularly as my reply included an image. If you use the blue button, any reply you write will be held back for image approval. Even though it is already a previously published image.