Dapol/Rails OO Terrier with MS Sound and Stay-Alive

Kit: MS580G

The Dapol OO Terrier could do with some sort of stay-alive, so this example we find a way to insert a pair of mini GoldCaps in the bunker, connected to the 'G' version of Zimo's MS580.

The GoldCaps will have to go in the bunker, so the metal coal moulding is temporarily removed.

A hole drilled into the frame under the bunker is made for the stay-alive wires, and the pair of GoldCaps are connected up in series, and inserted into the bunker space - nice neat fit.

Wires to the GoldCaps are fed through, disguised and glued under the frame, joining to the MS580G's pads, which are dedicated for this purpose (a 5.4V external stay-alive).

The decoder simply plugs into the model's Next18 DCC socket, and all is reassembled. Some care is needed with the Next18 PCB and the speaker, securing them to the body firmly, otherwise they can easily drop down onto the wheels - not the safest design from Dapol, but easy enough to secure if you are aware of it. While we were there, we also swapped the factory speaker for one of our own 15x11mm Sticky Gasket speakers, which is a higher power output than the original - the lack of enclosure still means fairly low sound levels, but is the best that can be achieved without major rework to find a new location for a bigger speaker.

The GoldCaps work well, providing a second or two of backup power, though they do take a few seconds to fully charge up.

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.