Dapol N Gauge BR Standard 9F with Zimo MS Sound

Kit: MS480; SugarCube6; 2x 470uF Flat Tantalums

A revisit to Dapol's N gauge 9F, this time with MS sound kit and a little stay-alive.

Same approach as in the past - remove all the 6pin DCC socket and related components, just leaving a flat bed for the speaker, and straight connection to the motor terminals.

Test-fit the SugarCube6 speaker, and prepare the MS480 by removing all of the unnecessary wires, so we're just left with pickups, motor, speaker and wires for the stay-alive (Cap+ and Ground in this case as we're keeping below the 1000uF max that that MS480 supports direct).

Re-cover the decoder in Kapton tape for protection and we're ready to start connecting it all up.

Some double-sided tape to loosely keep everything in place.

Decoder in position, we begin wiring up, speaker first, trimming wires as appropriate.

Next pickups.

Now motor, being especially careful not to leave heat on the terminals for too long, otherwise the brushes move around.

Test-fit the tender body - plenty of space with the decoder in the coal aperture.

Our pair of flat 470uF/16V Tantalums are joined using some old resistor legs. Positive side has the smaller pads on these Tantalums, also marked with a faint printed bar on the top-side.

Wrap the Tants in Kapton, and use some double-sided tape on top of the speaker to position them.

Final placement of the tender body - neat and comfortably fit. All that remains is to build some coal (using electrical tape, BlackTack, then crushed scenic coal fixed in with superglue.

Please note that these guides are provided as useful resources for you, as-is. YouChoos cannot be held responsible for errors in the information, or for any damage caused to your models or equipment if you choose to follow any of the steps detailed here.