If a loco is DCC equiped but without sound

[HarryHotspur]

On second thought, I have another question: If I use an add-on sound decoder, say, in a box car behind the engine, does this decoder need to be connected to the engine's decoder?

A SoundTraxx DSX sound-only decoder does not need to be co-located with the motor control decoder, but you must have some way of getting track power to it.  With On30, there should be room in the tender for a DSX sound-only decoder, and you would connect it to the same wires as the motor control decoder.

If you put the DSX in a trailing boxcar, you must provide some method of electrical pickup to the wheels.

If it were my engine, I'd get a SoundTraxx Tsunami and put it in place of the motor decoder that is in the tender.  The Tsunami sound is far superior to the DSX and there is a Tsunami made specifically for the On30 models.

 

 

Gotcha. Thanks, Cacole.

[cacole]

On second thought, I have another question: If I use an add-on sound decoder, say, in a box car behind the engine, does this decoder need to be connected to the engine's decoder?

A SoundTraxx DSX sound-only decoder does not need to be co-located with the motor control decoder, but you must have some way of getting track power to it.  With On30, there should be room in the tender for a DSX sound-only decoder, and you would connect it to the same wires as the motor control decoder.

If you put the DSX in a trailing boxcar, you must provide some method of electrical pickup to the wheels.

If it were my engine, I'd get a SoundTraxx Tsunami and put it in place of the motor decoder that is in the tender.  The Tsunami sound is far superior to the DSX and there is a Tsunami made specifically for the On30 models.

 

 

[HarryHotspur]

On second thought, I have another question: If I use an add-on sound decoder, say, in a box car behind the engine, does this decoder need to be connected to the engine's decoder?

[HarryHotspur]

Thanks guys. That answers my questions. I should have specified On30, but since I only have one Loco (a Porter) right now, I really just wondered in general what the options were.

[richg1998]

To add sound, does one replace the existing decoder or do they make separate decoders for sound only?  Thanks.

 I suspect you are interested in diesel but try to be more speific on brand and type of engine.

I have a Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0 that comes with a speed control only decoder. I removed the decoder and installed a Micro-Tsunami decoder. The tender is ready for a one inch OD speaker. 

http://www.soundtraxx.com/ 

Roundhouse steamers come with decoders or DCC ready. Add your own speaker and decoder. 

 

Rich 

[cacole]

There are sound systems for locomotives that work both ways -- replace the decoder that is already in it, or add a sound-only decoder if it and the speaker will fit.  Some of the newer decoders from Digitrax have a sound add-on called the sound bug.

Which you can use depends on the locomotive you're wanting to equip with sound.

[HarryHotspur]

To add sound, does one replace the existing decoder or do they make separate decoders for sound only?  Thanks.