TTS installation into R3902 Class 66

[96RAF]

This started out as the easiest TTS installation I have ever done. There were even posts to mount the rectangular speaker holder onto, which I did.

Unfortunately the speaker sits far too high to get the body on even if I invert the speaker in its box.

The small PCB for the Express Models lighting kit also fouls. Back to the drawing board.

Fortunately there is plenty of room to get a pair of 4-ohm ESU speakers wired in series onto the chassis, in fact I am spoilt for choice of where to put them. I will cut off the enclosure lugs first. This leaves enough room for the decoder to sit where the original speaker was mounted.

[Bulleidboy]

I found that the was lots of space in my R30069 Class 66 "Captain Tom Moore". It was the easiest decoder fit I have ever done. I fitted the R8121 TTS Sound decoder, but replaced the speaker supplied, with a Zimo LS40x20x09 Optimised "3D" 8ohms 1watt speaker. Like you have, I could have fitted three of these speakers, there is so much room. Speaker attached using black tack. The sound is very good.

[96RAF]

Although the sound quality with the ESU speakers is fine I found the whistling, whiney 66 noise unimpressive compared to say a 37 or even a Deltic (I killed my test sample unfortunately). Another less than impressive noise was the 31, again good quality but such a non event.

[Bulleidboy]

Did the lighting kit take up much room? I bought an LED lighting kit on ebay for a Class 66 - but have yet to pluck up the courage to try and fit it - fibre optics etc.

Was the Express Models kit easy to fit?

[96RAF]

@barry

The kit was simple to fit but requires accurate drilling as do all lighting fits. The necessary mods to chassis and crew desk were fiddly. Room has to be made for the LED blocks and a notch made in the cab bulkhead to allow the wires past (not shown below). The upper headlight frame drops off when you drill through and the pre-wired kit has over long wires that need to be stowed. I always fit an extra 1k resistor in the blue lead to control current draw below TTS function output limits. I also fit a plug and socket to allow the body to be fully removed.