{"id":3166,"date":"2021-11-03T19:34:49","date_gmt":"2021-11-04T02:34:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gregamer.com\/?p=3166"},"modified":"2021-11-03T23:16:42","modified_gmt":"2021-11-04T06:16:42","slug":"p48-sw9-upgrade-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gregamer.com\/index.php\/2021\/11\/03\/p48-sw9-upgrade-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"P48 – SW9 Upgrade Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A followup to my previous post P48 – SW9 Upgrade<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Pilots<\/h2>\n

After that previous post I focused on the pilots. by finishing the handrails, working on the coupler pocket, MU attachments and trying to bend a cut lever.<\/p>\n

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These triple stanchion end handrails match the prototype.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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I used Precision Scale castings for the heads and brass tube and rod for the rest of the end handrail assemblies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Styrene strips to form the coupler pocket and Precision Scale MU hose brackets.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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An prototype example of the type of cut levers I would like to use.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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I made a couple of different jigs to bend the Cut Levers. This is the 2nd version.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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One of my cut lever attempts. Not quite what I am hoping for. Still need to tackle this detail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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KV Model pilot playes added.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Pilot painted, Protocraft coupler, handrails and MU receptacle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I ordered KV Models photo etch steps for the pilot also, but opted not to use them. I felt that cutting the molded plastic steps out would compromise the strength of the pilot more than I wanted to sacrifice. If I had extra pilots maybe I\u2019d be more comfortable with trying the steps.<\/p>\n

Paint & Decal<\/h2>\n

I primed this model with Mr. Surfacer Primer 1200. And painted with Tru Color Cascade Green, Black and White. Mr. Surfacer Primer does not adhere well to the polished metal detail surfaces so I\u2019ve to do a few touch ups on handrails, grab irons and etched metal details. if I were to do this again I would use a different primer.<\/p>\n

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A pair Archer louver decals for the battery boxes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Primed hood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Primed hood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Primed cab<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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I started paint and decals with the frame.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Hood painted<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Hood and cab painted, before painting the cab roof.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I had very little bleed on my paint job. But where I did it wasn\u2019t so easy to correct. If you try to brush Tru-Color paint on top of try color paint it reactivates the base coat and doesn\u2019t do what you want it to do. I ended up remarking very small portions and respraying to correct the bleeds.<\/p>\n

I cut diagonal masks for the cab, cab steps and radiator louvers with my Cricut.<\/p>\n

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Masking for cab<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Masking for cab step.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Radiator louvers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Cab stripes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I used Microscale decals for the numbers and BN logos. And custom printed an ACI label to match the prototype (ACI Tag GeneratorACI Tag Generator<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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149 decal and ACI tag<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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I painted the cab interior light green, added a Precision Scale Control stand and a new engineer figure from MB-Model<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Power, light and sound<\/h2>\n
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The cleaned this really thick grease from the gearboxes and re-lubricated with Labelle 106.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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I pulled the motor and desired it. And test ran it on the bench.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Insulated the motor mount.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I checked for shorts between the motor terminals, the frame, & power pickups. No shorts but just in case I insulated the motor mount and re-mounted the motor with nylon screws. I also checked the stall current it was around 1.5A.<\/p>\n

My plan for this motor was to use Soundtraxx TSU-4400 decoder and a Tang Band 1925S Speaker. But I ran into trouble with my initial install; the decoder would lose control of the motor and the amplifier was fried. I purchased a TSU-2200 super cheap and thought it was going good until it also had the same loss of control issues as the TSU-4400. My friend gave me another TSU-4400 and I had the same loss of control issues. I posted several videos about the process on my YouTube channel.<\/p>\n