Just bought a Atheran With the Quick Coupler for the DCC decoder I want to install sound also what is the best way to make this happen.
RoadieJust bought a Atheran With the Quick Coupler for the DCC decoder I want to install sound also what is the best way to make this happen.
There is no best way, only what works best for you. With sound, this can vary.
You left out some important information. Scale, loco type?
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Sorry it is HO Scale and the lOCO IS A SD 45 would it be better to use a decoder such as Digitrax and a sound decoder or is it better to use something else such ad Tsunami which is both in one what is the best sounding?
The Athearn SD and GP RTR locomotives use a Genesis style circuit board. A Quantum Revolution A sound decoder and oval speaker with enclosure works best with these by removing the Athearn board.
http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/the-300/Quantum-Revolution-Board-Replacement/Detail
Contact Ulrich Hobby Shop by phone or e-mail and they will know exactly which speaker will fit.
When it comes to installing sound on any locomotive the most important thing is the speaker and enclosure not the decoder. You can have the best decoder money can buy with all the bells & whistles (literally) and it will sound like garbage if you use the wrong or a cheap speaker and do a poor installation
One of the speakers I really like for diesel sound is Rail Master Hobbies series of Bass Reflex speakers
He makes a variety of sizes for different installs. On engines such as your I have milled out some of the weight located on the bottom of the engine disguised by the fuel tank. This accomplishes two important things in one step. First off you will need to take car to just take out enough material so the speaker fits in nice and tight. By the speaker fiting tight it will cut down if not illuminate completely speaker vibration. This can best be illustrated by the buzzing sound you get from a speaker in your car if the screws that hold it come loose. The second thing it will accomplish is it will direct the sound downward onto the track. You will always get a better sound if you bounce it off the track the you will if you point the speaker upward as many guys do when they mount it under the coal load on steam locomotives for example. Check out most of your sound equipped locomotives and the great percentage of them will have the speaker facing downward.
On steam locomotives I have actually used 1" lead pipe and sheet lead to make speaker enclosures, a trick I picked up from one of the guys who works in my LHS. If you want to see a quick test of this just work the sound functions on your engine and then do it again but this time hold the engine shell firmly to cut down on the vibration of the plastic body shell. You will notice a difference in the sound. In my O/P most sound decoders with the exception of MRC are pretty much equal in quality and performance it comes down to personal taste.
http://www.railmasterhobbies.com/Speakers.htm
Roadie Just bought a Atheran With the Quick Coupler for the DCC decoder I want to install sound also what is the best way to make this happen.
I'd suggest a QSI U decoder. It will plug into your 9 pin socket. With a QSI A, you'll need to remove the existing circuit board, which is a bit more work. For a speaker I generally use a 16x35mm with a baffle. You'll just need to find space. You didn't mention the locomotive type.
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