Köf II(#5574) with ESU LokSound HO decoder.

This page shows process of installing LokSound HO decoder to märklin Köf II.

Tasks of the project:

• The Köf II loco equipped with old gauge 1 digital circuit.
• There are genuine conversion circuit board from marklin, but it is no longer available as far as I researched.
• I installed LokSound HO decoder to get :
  • Engine and horn sound.
  • Better running character and some functions.
  • Individual controled cab lighting.

Arrangement of equipment:

• Arrangement with LokSound HO decoder .

Points:

• Additional circuit board mounted by two metal fittings.
• LokSound HO decoder put on the additional circuit board.
• Speaker (20mm dia / original speaker comes with LokSound HO) set under the fueltank.

• Original arrangement with old gauge1 decoder.

Details:

<Speaker / Acoustics>

Points:

• A speaker is 20mm dia / original speaker comes with LokSound HO.
• A speaker fixed on self made styrene plastic plate / baffle board.
• I cut the frame of speaker a little to fit to the space.
• Two pin connector to Additional circuit board.
• The total unit are fixed by fixing screw of roof frame.

Points:

• Opening for sound in cab. It is located under fuel tank.
• The opening made by Dremel motor tool.

Point:

• The sound opening is almost invisible after assemble.

<Additional Circuit Board>

• Additional Cirtuit Board connects all input / output of LokSound HO.

Bottom view

Top view

Points:

• Additional circuit board fixed by C shape metal fitting.
• The voltage for the head light is 1.4 times higher than conventional AC mode(by means of rectifier and condenser), I added Resistor for head lights(68 ohm) to head light circuit.
• The resistor works not only for justifies voltage, but also protect from rush current caused by nomal lamp.

NEM 652 connector

Points:

• To make it easy to mount / unmount LokSound HO decoder, there are 8 pins NEM652 compatible connecter on additional circuit board.
• The connector matches to NEM652 standard is 2.54mm(1/10") ptich IC pin header.
• I used two rows of OMRON IC pin headers.

<Cab lighting>

Points:

• A normal lamp (KATO room light for N gauge coach, DC12V) installed under roof of cab.
• The series resistor(150 ohm) for justify voltage of bulb.
• The resistor works not only for justifies voltage, but also protect from rush current caused by nomal lamp.
• The lamp connected to AUX output.
• The circuit board fixed by acrylie screw to prevent short circuit with body chasis.

Conclusion:

• The Köf II got new digital format 'brain'
• The slow running character is very good by means of superb control ability of LokSound HO.
• The sound effect is very attractive for this tiny loco too!
• The cab lighting is also very attractive.

Note:

• There is another aproach to same project in web site of Mr.Thomas Frede at:

Spur1 Modelleisenbahnanlage Hall in Tirol
(http://members.aon.at/spur1_tirol/page_3_2.html)

• Explanation of cab detailing comes in near future. I'm still under research of details :-))!

Copyright © 2001 by Jun Maeda / KOBE JAPAN