Fitting a Soundtraxx DCC decoder

[alrose]

Is there any information available to fit a Tsunami Soundtraxx decoder into a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 steam loco? Also would it be a fairly easy thing to do?

[cacole]

 The biggest problem is the limited amount of space within the tender for the decoder and speaker.  Bachmann put several metal plates in the tender to add weight, and there's also a constant lighting circuit board with a NMRA 8-pin decoder socket.  Removing the weights to make room for a decoder causes electrical pickup problems.

Check Tony's Train Exchange or Litchfield Station's web sites and see if they have pictures of installs into one of these models.  It can be done but you have to remove the weight and Bachmann's circuit board to fit a standard Tsunami -- I have never used a Tsunami micro so I don't know its size.

Here's an example from Litchfield Station:  

http://litchfieldstation.com/DCC-University/install/HOSS/Bachmann-2-8-0-826102.htm

[trainnut1250]

I have installed a full size Tsunami in a spectrum 2-8-0 with the short vandy tender.  It was a tight fit and quite a project.  I ended up gutting the weights and the circuit board.   Even with these alterations there was barely enough room for the speaker and the decoder. I would suspect that there is more room in the coal tenders that come standard with the 2-8-0, making for a much easier install 

 In general, I would recommend using the micro Tsunami whenever possible.  The limiting factor is the amp draw (Tsu = 1 amp,  Tsu micro = .75 amp) and I believe there are less function outputs on the micro. You won't come close to the amperage limit on most HO Spectrum models.  Most I've measured were drawing in the .30-.40 amp range at stall (always check). I had no problems with a micro-Tsunami in a spectrum 4-6-0 with a coal tender.  Sorry no photos.

There is lots of info on decoder installs on the web and there may be specific articles on this loco...Maybe some one else can jump in here...I would not hesitate to undertake the project presuming that you have some experience with a soldering iron and trains in general.

 

Guy

[wjstix]

A lot of people don't know that the Spectrum tenders have a removeable coal load. If you pop that out and drill a small hole, you can install a 1" speaker under the coal load insert. I found with the speaker facing up it works fine without needing to drill holes "to let the sound out". That leaves more room in the body of the tender for the decoder.

Of course, you could buy a Spectrum 2-8-0 with the factory-installed Tsunami.

[alrose]

Thanks for the replies to my question. My 2-8-0 has a coal tender so hopefully there should be enough room to fit the speaker and decoder.

The Litchfield Station info is very helpfull and should help me in the installation.

Thanks,and regards to all, Al. 

[fisker76]

The 2-8-0 Spectrum with medium tender can fit two round 1.1" speakers with enclosures when used with the TSU-750 decoder. The 750 is a full featured decoder and has all of the capabilities of the TSU-1000. The factory installed sound decoder in the "spectrum tsunami" line lacks many of the features found in both the TSU-1000 & TSU-750 You can find a complete installation on the Bachman site http://www.bachmanntrains.com; do a search for "2-8-0" or "4-6-0", something should pop up. Other really good info can be found here:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RPMclinics-RickBell. I've done many installs using the TSU-750 and found it to be a very reliable decoder and relatively simple to program. When using a 750 have a small metal weight taped to it so it can act as a heat sink and prevent overheating [the one flaw in its design]. Another excellent resource is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/soundtraxx/ Patience and a little self-study will yield you excellent results and the installation can be done with very simple tools: 1. soldering iron 2. shrink wrap 3. x-acto "saw" blade or dremel tool 4. various files or bench sander/grinder You can do it! Erik

[fisker76]

davidmbedard

The 750 is a full featured decoder and has all of the capabilities of the TSU-1000.

Not quite.  It has 75% of the amp capacity and only 2 light outputs.......not exactly the same as its big brother.

Given the choice, I always opt for the 1000...only for the simple fact that I can test the decoder install with a DH123, then plug in the TSU1000 when the coast is clear......

David B

Yes it has less amp capacity and only two light outputs but the same motor control features as the 1000. Given the limited space in the tender and the fact that the consolidated's motor draws less than .3 amps at stall, why go with TSU 1000 when the 750 allows for 1 more speaker, dramatically improving sound performance? Hence the purpose of installing a sound decoder.