I have a Bachmann Spectrum ON30 Shay with a DCC/DC dual Decoder that also runs Soundtraxx/Tsunami sound.
Bachmann also sell a Spectrum ON30 2-8-0 with a straight DCC decoder, eg Colorado Mining 25962.
ie, It is not DCC/DC dual, nor has sound.
Can I pull out the Decoder on the 2-8-0 & drop in a DCC/DC dual with sound decoder?, then add speakers.
If so, which decoder would I put in??
If this is not the correct forum for the query, could someone point me in the right direction?
Thank you
TE
You are sure making things complicated.
I find it strange you want to pull a Tsunami out of a loco. It sounds like the loco has a non sound decoder for lights and motor control and a sound module that does not control the motor and lights.
If that is the case, put in a SoundTraxx non sound decoder that cost about $20.00 and have very good running characteristics. I have no idea what the plugs/connections look like. Many sound locos use a 8 pin connector or a nine pin connector.
The Bachmann non sound decoders are dual mode. Most people pull the Bachmann non sound decoders and insert a good quality non sound decoder that has BEMF.
I have a Bachmann HO 4-6-0 that has a on board Tsunami that controls the motor and handles the sound. The ON30 must be a different setup.
If you want to, just pull the all the electronics out of the tender and put in a shrink wrapped Tsunami. Make sure you put in a 1k resistor for the LED's if the loco has them.
Can you post photos of the present configuration? Sounds quite different compared to the sound setups I have been using.
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.
Hi
Apologies, I didn't express myself very well.
The Bachmann Spectrum ON30 2-8-0 is sold described as: "DCC-equipped for speed, direction and lighting" ie, no sound on board. Usable on DC??, I am not sure as I have seen some comments that all Bachmann ON30 decoders sold these days are dual DCC/DC.
Anyway, my Spectrum ON30 Shay has a dual DCC/DC encoder & Tsunami sound. I want to leave it like that.
I want to get the 2-8-0 to be the same as the Shay, ie, have a dual DCC/DC encoder + Tsunami sound [but obviously, sounding different to the Shay.]
Any thoughts on how I can achieve that?
Bachmann "DCC equipped" engines have decoders that will work on DCC or DC. They are also generally considered "bottom of the barrel" decoders so anything you put in there will be an improvement!!
When you get the engine, you can look in the tender to see if the decoder is connected by an eight-pin or nine-pin plug, then buy a Tsunami and harness to plug it in. Very easy.
Finding room for a speaker shouldn't be too hard in an On30 engine's tender. I have a Spectrum HO engine where I put a 1" round speaker under the coal load (a lot of folks don't know the coal load is a separate piece you can pop out) after drilling a small hole for the two wires from the speaker to the decoder.
Some recent model engines come with an opening in the floor to put a 1" round speaker there.
Hi TE
This will be my Christmas project.
Firstly have a look at:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/of_sound/
It looked quite daunting at first but after three reads and comparing my dismantled tender with the photos, it's not that bad. The Tsunami decoder you want is model 826101. There is space for two 1.5" speakers or a single large oval one.
Check out the Soundraxx website for sample sounds, or look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVIjh_5t0dM
Best
Ian
The sound decoder from the Shay will not sound right in the 2-8-0. Because of the gearing, a Shay sounds like it is going 60 when it is going 10. You'd be better off getting a new decoder for the 2-8-0, prbably the "light steam" Tsunami would have the options needed.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thank you Ian.
Very useful article.
Now on the 'winter project' list
Ok, will check out 'light steam' for the 2-8-0
Re the Shay, somewhere I read that the true 'chuff' or 'beat' rate for them is twice what the tsunami decoder does per 'revolution', or whatever the base line is.
Apparently, in real life they sound as though they are going like h-ll when in fact they are not.
Anyone in the world of DIY/down-loadable sound files discovered a 'true' Shay sound file that can be put into the Spectrum ON30 shay Tsunami sound encoder??
You can tweak the CV's for the proper beat rate. The real issue is trying to make it sound like a three cylinder. No idea about whistles. What does the logging Tsunami have for whistles?
I have put a light steam Tsunami in a two cylinder Climax and set the beat correctly by adjusting the CV's. Not a big deal.
You can not upload sounds to a Tsunami. That is a commonly known issue. Spend dome time looking through the SoundTraxx site.