Heljan O Guage Prairie with Zimo Sound - Plux22/Booster Approach

Kit: MX645PluX22; ADAPLU booster board, Ice28X18X09-2W; SuperCap17000; Lamps

In many respects, this approach is almost identical to our other install guide for the same model - that one used a 21pin MX644 decoder with ADAMTC booster board. This one goes with the MX645PluX22 sound decoder with ADAPLU booster board instead - same result, but we favouring the PluX approach these days because the interface is more robust and there is no confusion with different 21pin 'MTC' standards!

Carefully remove the body shell, the boiler stays, and slide the boiler housing forward to reveal the factory-fitted ESU 'L' decoder socket.

Yes, we know, you could just put in a LokSound 'L' sound decoder, and pop a small speaker in the chamber under the chassis, but we want a Zimo setup in here! So, remove the socket, and mounts, and prepare the space for our ADAPLU booster board,m MX645PluX decoder, dual IceCube speaker and SuperCap stay-alive...

The PluX22 decoder plugs snuggly into the ADAPLU board, and solder pads are supplied on each end of the board for all of our connections. They are fairly small pads, so it is a good idea to neatly tin all of the pads that we're going to use before installing in the loco, then they wil be easier to deal with. You may also find it useful to do all of the soldering work with the decoder NOT plugged in.

Pickup wires first...

Firebox glow lighting PCB next...

Purple speaker wires next...

SuperCap for stay-alive next...

Put down some BlackTack on the mounting surface, and the ADAPLU sits squarely on this.

Lay some insulating tape on top of the board and decoder, and then use BlackTack to mount the speaker, SuperCap and firebox lighting board above this. Don't put BlackTack directly on the decoder or ADAPLU or you'll be ripping wires/components off!

We initially tried a taller 12mm IceCube, but this didn't quite fit the height, so we went don't to a 9mm version, which still sounds excellent, and then the boiler slides neatly back on.

All reassembled, and also fitted with front and rear bi-colour lamps and crew too, this one looks and runs fantastically.

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.