Fitting a Lenz USP Power1 Module to a Hornby Class 08 Shunter

Perhaps "squeezing" is more appropriate than "fitting"? Phew, this was a tight one!

My previous post explains the issues I've been having with my Hornby Class 08 stalling on insulated frogs. Well, after some of the most delicate soldering I've done, and many attempts with the Lenz Gold decoder and Power1 module in different positions, I've finally found a snug fit.

The macro mode of my camera doesn't do justice to how fine the soldering of the Power1 onto the Gold decoder is. Had to be very careful not to short the three wires with stray solder, whilst at the same time not overheating the tiny circuit board.

Here's the Decoder and Power1 wired up to the loco. I tested by coupling a truck behind containing the decoder and Power1!

After fiddling with several combinations, here's the location of Gold decoder and Power1 that I found you could fully refit the body shell on. The decoder is plug-side down and facing the decoder socket. The plug/socket arrangement itself is slightly recessed over the brass flywheel. The Power1 module just fits snugly in the nose of the loco. If I could have been bothered, I'd have shortened the wires from the Power1 and re-soldered them - I thought that was tempting fate somehow though!

The end result had the desired effect. No more stalling on those blessed frogs! That fact that the electronics inside now cost more than the loco is neither here nor there!

Of slight note, the Power1 does get very hot in a very short space of time when the loco is running slowly. I've seen other posts concerning this. I'll report on any smoke I see churning out of the loco. Still, would add to to the realism wouldn't it?