I couldn't resist an Atlas #49814 GP38-2; I expected to convert it to DCC with sound.
I've found nothing about that on the Intertubes, and now I'm wondering if it's even possible.
Your loco with that part number appears to be N scale. Adding a sound decoder may be a problem. Digitrax offers its SDN144AO sound decoder for the Atlas N scale GP38. Don't know how good the sound is and how difficult the intall although it looks to be a "drop in" style decoder.
Joe
Mostly drop-in, but some modifications are needed to the light pipes, and in the instruction example they repalced the cast radiator fans with BLMA etched metal parts to let more of the sound out. Also needs lots of Kapton tape to insualte the speaker and capacitor.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
My loco is a GP38 rather than the GP38-2 I originally posted, and yes it's N scale.
Thank you for the pointer to the Digitrax decoder; I found the installation guide.
Perhaps a TSU-750 would fit in there as well. I'll do some measuring.
Good luck getting a tsunami in there.
Do not get the Digitrax decoder - it's crap.
I'm going to get a LOT of flak for the following response, but here goes. I used an MRC 1812 version #2 in my GP-15, and it works perfectly. It would also work in an Atlas GP-38 with no modification to the frame.
The Digitrax one would be MUCH better than MRC - especially if you join the Digitraxsound Yahoo group and use one of the MUCH MUCH better wuality sound projects that some of the users have created. The default GP38 generic sound file that comes int he decoder - yeah, not so good. Considerign it can only use about half the memory, since they come by default with both a diesel and steam sound on them... the user-created improved sound files take up nearly every last bit of memory in the decoder and make it do all sorts of things you might think not possible.
On the steam front, they've done some amazing things with articualted sounds and are even using the BEMF to enable rod clank on downgrades. Quite amazing actually.
Yeah - put it in the trash. Get an MRC drop-in DCC sound decoder, #1812, follow the directions about using Kapton tape, and drop that puppy in there. You'll be happy. Soundtraxx won't fit into that loco.
Turn off BEMF, it will work fine. The real problem is the processor used wasn't meant for sound, and can't keep up. Disabling BEMF fixes the slowdown. No real loss, the MRC decoder doesn't have BEMF either.
your mentioning the MRC #1812 decoder, another decoder can be used in the gp38 and 38-2. it is also by MRC, #1811. it basically for the b23, but i placed in my gp38-2's and they also sound good and you can change and adjust the sounds. it may be worth looking into for anyone wanting sound in their diesel loco's.
Get a Loksound Micro decoder - they are narrow enough for N scale hood diesels. Install one of those cell phone speakers and you'll be blown away !
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Sounds like a great idea. Where do we get a cellphone speaker?
This is just one of many sources starting to stock these ....
http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php?cat=436
They can also be found at the usual electronics suppliers like Digi-key for much less ....
http://www.digikey.ca/product-search/en?pv60=106&FV=fff4000b%2Cfff80046%2Cfffc01a7%2C2dc05a2&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&chp=0&quantity=0&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25
Turn the back emf to 0. Yes you loose the load compensation. set cv57 to 0.
I just went to that DigiKey site and all the speakers said unavailable.
My post with the link is also 2-1/2 years old ! Knowles is no longer in business having been bought by another company ....
hobo9941 I just went to that DigiKey site and all the speakers said unavailable.
MB Klein has a 16 x 9 Knowles.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Knowles-423-1399-ND-Wildcat-S9-Speaker-p/kno-423-1399-nd.htm
If that helps...
Ed
Search eBay for iphone speaker and set the category to computer components and parts to get rid of most of the external bluetooth speakers adn you will get a vast selection of options. A lot of them come with the full baffle assembly that goes inside the phone, some are just the speaker element itself. In a quick glance at the first page of results, they have everything from 3GS versions to iPhone 6.
Streamlined Backshop has a complete selection of the small speakers and various shapes and sizes of baffles - there are enough variations to fit pretty much anything you can think of.
Mark R. My post with the link is also 2-1/2 years old ! Knowles is no longer in business having been bought by another company .... Mark.
This is not completely true- Knowles just sold the speaker division?? Just when we modlers find a good product to use the manufacture goes away. Ouch!!
I have been trying to find a replacement of like quality and so far have not done so.
BTW I was using the Wildcat S-9 WP. The WP stands for water proof. Not so much of a problem for us MR's but the WP version of this speaker was rated at 1 watt and had a db ratting of 97. So all in all it was a better speaker than the non WP version.