Bachmann Class 20 sound chipping

[Carl L]

So, continuing the dip into the world of sound;

I plumped for the ESU Loksound V5 and have to say at the moment am a bit (a lot) disappointed by the lack of volume. But maybe it’s something I’m not doing right. I have changed the CV for the volume (63) up to its maximum of 198 but it hasn’t made that much difference from the factory setting of 128. So is it my installation? Below is how far I’ve got.





This chip is installed and working. The decoder and speaker come with what I can only describe as a plastic tray for the speaker to sit on and three rings, presumably to increase the height (a sound chamber?). I have glued the tray in but daren’t go any further. I’ve run it with the speaker taped on, not glued. The obvious way to fit the speaker is with the numbers uppermost as the side tabs on it then sit in the lugs on the tray and rings. But I don’t want to glue this if it’s wrong. I appreciate that when the body sits on it creates more of a sound chamber but it’s still too quiet, certainly compaired to what I’ve seen and heard before.

If it’s a sound chamber I need to create I could (I think) remove the Bachmann speaker housing and re-glue the tray and use as many of the rings as possible.

I’d welcome advice before it becomes my only venture into sound.

Thank you.

[Hound Dog]

Hi Carl,

The sugarcube speaker needs to be sealed in the housing whether with one or more rings……. I believe this can be achieved using PVA glue…… see image below


To be honest I have never been that impressed with these speakers unless in pairs in a custom application ( eg SLW Class 24) and if it was me, then I would replace it with a bass enhanced speaker…….. you have bought an expensive decoder so don’t cheat on the speaker as they can make a huge difference for a few quid.

The Loksound V5 will likely need a 4 ohm speaker and Richard Croft at Road and Rails has a good selection of speakers as does Youchoos ( they use Zimo decoders but the speakers are good with either)…….. I think they have class 20 sound fitment guides, I know the Youchoos one is in their Shunter section.

If you get a replacement speaker then my advice would be to avoid soldering the speaker leads to the decoder (trust me that can go badly wrong if you are not good with fine pitch soldering ) …………either cut and splice the existing wires or solder them directly to the new speaker terminals.

Hope the above helps - cheers Richard

[Carl L]

Richard,

That’s a big help thank you, as is the image.

I’ve just had a look at the Road and Rails website and the selection of speakers, as you say an upgrade is for not a lot. I actually can’t believe that the ESU sugar cube is available at £1.49

I’ll have a go at mounting the sugar cube as pictured but after Christmas it’ll be replaced with something from R&R. And, I’ll solder to the speaker terminals.

Cheers

Carl