Example 1: Bachmann Improved Precent with Zimo MS sound and GoldCaps for stay-alive

Kit: MS440C/D, 6x mini GoldCaps

Retaining the factory SugarCube speaker (under the PCB), we decide with this example to look at getting the best possible stay-alive into the Improved Precedent.

An array of 6 mini GoldCaps (joined in series) is a perfect fit along the side of the tender, as long as you are neat with the connections between GoldCaps. This approach gives quite a few seconds of backup time once charged up, so very effective indeed.

Example 2: Dual SugarCube speaker upgrade

Kit: MS440C; SugarCube24X15X07

It is useful that the model comes with a 15x11mm speaker from the factory, which makes sound-fitting simple, but the output is not high, so here we remove that speaker and put in a dual SugarCube speaker instead... a little soldering for the speaker wires is needed, and some cutting under the coal load is required to make space for the speaker, but a relatively easy change...

The speaker sits cross-ways. Photos shows MX644 rather than MS440, but identical size decoder. For the MX644 we also added a pack of Tantalums with SACC16 for a small stay-alive.

Example 3: Different dual speaker - SugarStrand

Kit: MS450R; SugarStrand25X20X07; 5x 470uF Tall Tantalums

A little more removal of plastic is required to get the 7mm deep dual SugarStrand speaker in - in fact, an aperture the same footprint as the speaker, so it just fits through that hole flushly. The coal load then hides everything anyway, and the sound from the dual Strand is excellent. A different approach for the decoder too - rather than use the 21pin socket, we have removed that and hard-wired the MS450R into place. 5x 470uF Tall Tantalums are also in here (you can see them covered in Kaptop tape along the near underside), and these go direct to the MS450's stay-alive connections as they are 16V joined in parallel.

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.