PRR S-1 decoder install (cont)
Being, this engine was made way before sound was ever invented, I had to drill some holes into the tender base.
The PFM speakers have about a 1/4"X1" outlet so the hole pattern was made that size. An additional hole was made to route the 8 wires to the engine. The holes were painted from the inside to make it appear the holes are 'original'.
I watched a video for decoder installs and they said not to put holes into a brass engine as it would devalue the engine. One: this engine is mine (and will be sold when I'm dead) and two: how can one install a decoder without holes into an older model.
I consider this engine an important 'heritage' to early brass so I'm thoughtful in any alterations.
The truck makes routing the decoder wires difficult but I put heat shrink tubing (in very short sections) over two sets of wires instead of the usual one for more flexibility.
Normally, a lot of tenders have an open space below the deck for decode wires but this tender has none except added detail in that location and I didn't want to 'butcher it'.
Having to route the wires through the tender floor forced me to make the 8 pin connector AFTER routing the wires through the floor.
Masked off the back of the tender to drill out the three holes for lights.
Holes painted and LED's installed.
The slow process of waiting for the glue to dry.
Four running board LED's installed.
They made a very nice headlight lens out of a plastic tube. It was fun getting some glue on the end of the tube inside the engine and then positioning the LED at that location. Seems to be working well, though.
The cab light and fire box glow are the last LED's that need to be installed.
