Hello All,
I've been turning my attention toward upgrading some DCC decoder installs that I had done several years ago. What I have is an Overland Models Cleveland Union Terminal P-1a that has an old Digitrax DH-123 in it. There's plenty of room inside for speakers and baffles so I thought I'd go for sound.
So I began looking for a sound decoder and I can't seem to find any current information. I found a Loksound V4.0 and some sites say it is not available—but there is an eBay seller with them. I am not familiar with Loksound decoders, anyone have suggestions?
Then there's Dallee Electronics but it seems that their sound decoders are not DCC NMRA compatible? It looks like they need separate triggers for the sounds. Dallee does have sound for a New Haven EP-5 with a Hancock air whistle that would be OK for a P-1a
Tony's Train Exchange has some information that hasn't been updated in the last five years.
Does QSI sell retail or only to manufacturers? I know they made the BLI sound for the GG-1 but I can't find the decoder separately. Also the P-1a has an air whistle, not the Nathan horn like a GG-1.
Any of you juice fans out there that can point me in the right direction would be appreciated...
Thanks, Ed
Ed.
QSI has the Revolution and is coming out with a new decoder called Titan. They have a sound set for the GG1 and Acela. http://www.qsisolutions.com/products/techinfo/revolution/q-revo_codes_electric.html
I only have one Loksound decoder and am not very happy with it. It is an older version 3.5. I have tried every horn sound on the programmer and still can not get horn volume. The bell will drive you out of the room but the horn is laughable. Another thing about the Loksound is the 100 ohm speakers. When I bought my decoder the 1 inch speaker that came with the decoder would not fit and I waited 2 weeks for the right speaker and enclosure. Other than the horn and speaker the decoder works great and the other sounds are top notch.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
O have a PCM Reading T-1 which has a Loksound 3.5 and I definitely do not have a problem with whistle volume. I'm pretty sure their heavy electric sounds are those of Eurpoean locos but there's not all that much difference. They may have one with an air whistle. The Loksound 3.5 you can change out the sounds if you have their programmer, the Loksound Select is Tsunami-style, it comes preprogrammed with multiple sounds which you switch between via CV setting. The new Loksound 4.0, not sure. I'm not sure they are truly available yet. As with all the ESU decoders, the motor control on this is beyond compare - probbaly more critical in a steam loco as there are a lot more moving parts - yet the Loksound 3.5 lets my T-1's creep at tie counting speed on step 1 without ever stalling.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks Pete, Randy
Looks like Loksound V.4 will be my best choice. Seems like they are beginning to become available in the US since March. Some improvements over V 3.5 too, like a 4 ohm speaker output.
http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-v40/
So far all the sounds are of European electrics which, I'm sure one of will replicate the P-1a. Maybe the Crocodile? I hope to hear from more users of the V4.0 to get their input. They do offer quite a few North American Diesels.
There is a US seller, Nancy's Trains, that seems to have them in stock. I'll give her a call once I figure out how to get some sound samples from the esu website so I know what to order.
AND if any of you saw my other thread about a cab signal whistle... it looks like this version has a sound function for a "Conductor's Whistle" could it be?
Thanks again guys!
I'm sure you could do that for the cab whistle. Even my Loksound 3.5 came with a second whistle on F4 - which was actually closer for the prototype than the one they had on F2, so with a little CV programming I swapped the sounds. You could use the extra sound slot for a cab signal whistle sound.