I ran into a problem when installing a new Marklin 60975 Steam Sound Decoder. I was installing the decoder in an older 3308 BR85 2-20-2 Tank loco. I had originally converted this loco many years ago to a 6090 decoder and 5 pole motor. I had also installed the older style Telex Couplers front and rear. This engine is one with the screw base bulbs where the base is riveted to the frame. To convert this style to "flicker free" operation I used the recommended 604180 sockets seen here.



When I went to test the engine, I didn't put any bulbs in the sockets. During testing on the track it ran fine and the sounds were clear. So far so good! Then I went to activate the lights forgetting that their were no bulbs installed. Well obviously there were no lights, but what did happen was the sound became very distorted.

I couldn't think of what would be causing the sound distortion only when the lights were activated. It couldn't be because there were no bulbs installed. Well I called fellow forum member Gordon Scholz whom I had purchased the decoder from with the hope of having a solution to the problem. After brainstorming we came to the conclusion that I may have installed the conversion socket too deep into the screw base and they were shorting out. Sure enough that was the problem. I had installed the conversion sockets flush with the top of the screw base. With the sockets pulled out some the distorted sound disappeared.

Before I reinstalled the sockets back in place, I took a loose leaf hole punch and used it to make two small disc of electrical tape. I then inserted the tape disc into the base of the screw shell. That way when I reinstalled the conversion sockets, I could push them all the way down till they bottomed out without concern of them shorting out again as the tape in the bottom would prevent this from happening. Success at last!

I hope this info will be helpful to others.

Chuck

Yea Matt, in the future I think that I would most likely do it the same way. I already had the wiring complete and didn't want to have to resolder the wires. This was a simple solution that avoided the additional work. Pop the sockets out, insert the tape disc, reinsert the socket, done!

Chuck