Example 1: Upgraded speaker in Bachmann PluX22 Class 117 DMU

Kit: MX645PluX22 (now MS450PluX22); YouChoos SugarCube12

The 2020 Bachmann Class 117 DMU model is virtually identical to the new Bubble Car 121/122 model - same PluX22 DCC interface, on-board factory speaker and the same advanced lighting features.

In this example, we want to improve the volume level, as the factory speaker is not particularly loud.

Here is the PluX22 blanking plate, removed, then MX645PluX22 sound decoder inserted.

In order to gain access to the factory speaker, we have to remove the main PCB, as the speaker is underneath - it cannot be accessed from the bottom of the model.

Here it is - a 15x11mm speaker component with spring clips upward to make contact with the pads on the board. Now we have access to it, we can remove the speaker and its' box, and replace it with one of our SugarCube12 speakers - no bigger physically, but gives a better sound, so is quite an easy solution.

An alternative speaker is our IceCube 18x13x10-1W, but this requires removal of the back and front walls of the undertray box, as well as some careful enlarging of the aperture to insert the speaker up into (may need to lose one side screw fixing to do it) - it does sound better, but with that little bit extra work... and the IceCube speaker has no spring clips, so you have to solder some short wires to the model's PCB pads instead.

Example 2: MS450

Kit: MS450PluXX with 3x 1000uF caps

A revisit of Bachmann's 117 this time with a Zimo MS decoder and a little bit of 'cheap' stay-alive. The MS450PluX22 simply plugs in instead of the blanking plate, and we use 3 spare 1000uF/16V electrolytic capacitors (in parallel) that we happened to have kicking about, for a bit of low-cost stay-alive.

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.