I read a reply here that said to just buy a loco with sound. Practical advice no doubt but please correct me if I am wrong, the Tsunami sound decoders that come installed in sound locos are not the same sound decoder that you buy if it is separate. I understood that the sound decoders installed by the manufacturer have a more limited range of sounds available. Is this accurate? i am sure most would not notice, I didn't but it was pointed out to me by a friend who was helping me with some programming issues.
To the OP, adding sound is a fun and rewarding project, but in my opinion the Blue Box Athearn's have limited space inside and older P2K locos are just plain frustrating unless you strip out the circuit board and then hardwire. I don't suggest putting sound in a cheap loco, in my opinion it isn't worth the trouble.
Depends. Athearn and Bachmann use cut-down Tsunamis with fewer features than the ones you install yourself. Bowser had replacement sound chassis for some of their F units that used full Tsunamis. Atlas and Bowser are now using Loksound, and they are the full Loksound decodeer, not cut down in features.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
basementdweller I read a reply here that said to just buy a loco with sound. Practical advice no doubt but please correct me if I am wrong, the Tsunami sound decoders that come installed in sound locos are not the same sound decoder that you buy if it is separate. I understood that the sound decoders installed by the manufacturer have a more limited range of sounds available. Is this accurate? i am sure most would not notice, I didn't but it was pointed out to me by a friend who was helping me with some programming issues. To the OP, adding sound is a fun and rewarding project, but in my opinion the Blue Box Athearn's have limited space inside and older P2K locos are just plain frustrating unless you strip out the circuit board and then hardwire. I don't suggest putting sound in a cheap loco, in my opinion it isn't worth the trouble.
I have been to the Bachmann forums a lot. I have never seen Bachmann refer to the onboard sound decoder as a Tsunami. The word, Tsunami is applied by users who "assume' the decoder is a full blown Tsunami.
I have seen references that the decoders have Tsunami technology. Many running characteristics are nearly the same. Many don't take the time to read all the specs in the ads or look at the CV list. Go back and slowly read the ads.
Typical Male. lol
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.
Bachmann wants to supply sound locos to the MRR hobby at a more reasonable cost, especially for those who are not able to convert DC locos.
There is a good market. Some complain about the suggested price but have no idea they can buy online at a much better price.
For someone who did not get an answer at the Bachmann site, probably no one did the same install. There is only so much the Bachmann reps can help us with.
When I use a belt sander and a 4 inch diameter rotary sander on a frame, I keep a bowl of cold water handy and use leather gloves to hold the frame. The frame can get quite hot. As a former industrial mechanic, I have learned a lot of tricks over the years.
Obvious Man is usually a great help as is Goggle searching.
Okay,
I dug out a Proto 1000 HO NEW YORK CENTRAL F-M Erie Built PA unit - one of the few DC loco's I have to work with - without buying one to convert.
I'd just like an opinion on if that would be something to try - or if its going to be a big task removing parts of the chassis. I don't see much room inside the shell - but then again I never installed a decoder and speaker either.
Chris.
Loco Guy - is a state of mind - not an affinity to locomotives.
Sit back and enjoy your track...
Without being familiar with this loco I would start by using a multi-meter to check if the motor is isolated from the frame, if not then evaluate how to isolate it. Then is there physical room for the decoder or can you make room. The Loksound Micro decoders are excellent and tiny. Go for it and good luck.
TCS is the palce to go,t hey have lots of pictures for lots of brands of locos:
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Life_Like/Proto_1000FM/proto_1000_fm.htm
A motor only decoder is a fairly easy install in this loco. There is no real room for a big speaker and enclosure without removing some of the chassis.
Adding sound and DCC to non-sound versions of some Bachmann steamers just got easier - TCS has replacement board for some Bachmann steamers that repalce the factory board in the tender and allow simple plug in of a motor only or a sound decoder.
I have found the best engines to convert to Sound are the ones with Factory and just pull them from the box and plop them on the layout!
They will sound better than most individuals trying to play sound engineer and one will spend a whole lot less time in the long run and still NOT have a homebred sound conversion sound better than a good factory sound unit!
That is unless YOU are a Sound engineer and can remanufacture the complete insides of the engines to make the should the best it can be.
But then on the other hand don't start complaining how expensive the Hobby is and one doesn't have the time to put into it just because you think that a home bres sound install is cheaper!
Reprogramming a factory decoder unit isn't the same as maching the unit for speakers and the like!
Which I do have the Vertical Mills and Lathes to do the work!
YMMV!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
Hi guys,
I have spent a lot of time going back and forth on this. I found an Intermountain SD40-2 with DCC and LOKSOUND for $179 on ebay. So I bought it. Now I think I want to get the loco and see what sounds it can produce and then maybe do a replacement - not conversion from the Bachmann OEM sound for maybe LOKSOUND if its as good as people say.
I read the LOKSOUND specs and apparently you can reprogram the whole sound module with custom built sound files. All I really need is something more than a bell and a horn - like break squeal, coupler clank, fans, compressors... lets hope the LOKSOUND delivers.
You need the Loksound Programmer to change the sounds. But it already has all that stuff in it. You'll need your Powercab to access all the functions, the Bachmann won't cut it.
Randy,
I'd like to see what the powercab can do - I hope we can change the CV's to give something reasonable in the sound. I'll get the programmer, if needed, but I think you need to hook it up to a computer and that sounds like my day job to me :-(
Chris:
At this stage in your DCC Sound career I wouldn't bother spending the money on the Loksound Programmer. I bought one to deal with Loksound decoder factory installed by Intermountain which didn't have a particular function enabled (back up light for an FP7). I solved the problem but I haven't had a need to touch the Programmer since. It would have been cheaper to just buy a full functioned decoder.
I think you will be suitably impressed by the Loksound performance. However, if the sound isn't very good the first thing I would do is check out the speaker. Your sound can only be as good as the speaker. If you feel the need to replace the speaker then consider using iPhone5 "sugar cube" speakers. They are amazing. There is a thread on them in the Electronics/DCC section now.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/239380.aspx (Sorry - I can't make the link clickable. Somebody?)
As for the range of different sounds, I think you will be very happy with the Loksound decoder. Everything you mentioned is there right from the start. You will need to go to the Loksound website to study the manual to see what function key controls what sound. You can play with the sound arrangements without needing the Programmer.
One thing I do as soon as I install a decoder is turn the volume down from factory settings. The factory setting is so loud that it grates on my nerves.
Have fun!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
The new intermountain loco is on it's way. I'd like to post a video if its really impressive.
Dave,
I love the chuff-chuff from my steam loco at low speeds but after that I get the same feeling of grating on my nerves. Pity they don't do a reduce volume with speed on the decoder. Also, it would be relly cool if you could still use the whistle / horn / steam release while the prime mover was muted.
Not so much on diesels but the steam locos sound unrealistic.
You can adjust various volumes in Loksound without needing the programmer, all via CV settings - so you can make the horn louder and the bell quieter, as well as control the overall volume. Depending on the contents of the sound project the Intermountain loads, you can swap different horns and bells just by setting a CV.
I have a Loksound programmer because I've standardized on Loksound as my sound decoder. All my sound locos have Loksound, and any more I will put decoders in will get Loksound. For non-sound, I have standardized on TCS.
If you want to buy Loksound to do your own installs, the major DCC dealers will load your choice of sound file in it before shipping, so you don't need the Programmer.
There are steam sounds for Loksound Select, and they will work in any Select decoder, even the Select Direct. The Select Direct is a board repalcement decoder for Atlas, Athearn, and some other diesels, but there's nothing says you can;t use on in s steam loco. Though a regular Select or Select Micro would be a better physical fit to must steam loco tenders.