Has anyone tried to retrofit one of these decoders into the saddle tanks?What size speaker and where did you put it?And did you need a keep alive? Which KA model fit?
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
I have a Bachmann 0-6-0T saddle tank steamer. I have never replaced the decoder, but if I did I would go with a keep-alive.
My Bachmann's purpose was to service the small carfloat terminal area. I put a cheap sound-only decoder and speaker in a building in the center of the area. That worked pretty well to provide sound for the engine without having to actually mount the decoder and speaker in the engine itself.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hi Don:
I haven't done the project that you are asking about. My only reason for responding is to suggest that you use the Loksound Micro. Loksound offers the 'Power Pack' keep alive which is about the smallest keep alive available. I have used several. They work great! The Loksound decoders are also absolutely fantastic. They work perfectly right out of the box. From what I have read on the forums, Soundtrax decoders require a lot more work to get them performing properly.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Don,
I'll 2nd Dave's recommendation for the Loksound Micro. You'll want great motor-control for that li'l switcher of yours and the Loksound decoders will give you that, as David correctly stated "right out of the box". Little-to-no tweaking required to crawl at speed step 001.
The TCS WowSteam decoders would be another great choice for the same reasons but I don't know if they make ones as small as the Loksound Micro. They would also have a greater variety of sounds files to choose from.
As far as speakers, I used an 8-ohm, 1W TDS SuperSonic "sugar cube" speaker with a Loksound Select decoder in a brass diesel and it sounds fantastic. I originally had planned on using two speakers and wiring them in parallel. However, the one speaker sounded so good that I'm keeping the 2nd one for another sound installation.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I've done it with a Digitrax decoder and one of their keep-alive circuits. My originial intention was to put a TCS Wow-sound decoder in it but there was no way I could get it to fit. It took a fair amount of cutting and filing inside to get everything in. Runs great now. A lot depends on which motor Bachmann put into it. The newer one has a very small can motor and there is more room. If I had to do over, I'd try the ESU decoder.
That is somewhat disappointing.The Loksound Micro v4.0 which handles keep alive is $103 + $40 for the mini keep alive. The loco was only $70.The Econami is $70 + $30 current keeper. But it's larger.Decisions, decisions...
The Loksound's superior motor-control alone is worth the extra $30...at least in my book. Switchers shouldn't lurch to a start or stop.
The Loksound Micro V4.0 may be more than what the OP needs. The Loksound Select Micro is $85.95 at Tony's Train Exchange and it is a fully functioned decoder.
https://tonystrains.com/shop/?s=Loksound+Select+Micro
The V4.0 has some neat options like being able to load your own sound files, but they go beyond what most people need. They can both use the Loksound Power Pack Mini keep alive which, as you stated is $40.00.
https://tonystrains.com/product/esu-54671-loksound-powerpack-mini-capacitor/
There is a larger keep alive that can be used with the V4.0 but space might be an issue, and the mini keep alive works great. I have five of them.
As has been stated, Loksound's motor control is fantastic. I have one 'critter' with the Loksound Select Micro and the Mini Power pack, and at speed step 1 it takes seven seconds to go from one tie to the next! That is almost too slow to be useful.
I have another scratch built mini rail truck that I inadvertently installed a 6 volt motor in (it came with a vintage kit). The first time I ran it I had to grab it in mid air as it launched itself off the end of the test track at warp speed. Before I tore out the motor I decided to play with the speed tables. In very short order I was able to get it running very nicely even at a crawl. At the last show the rail truck ran for about three hours straight with nary a hitch.
Thanks Dave.
The Select Micro sounds more reasonable. I didn't know you could hook it up to the mini powerpack as I couldn't find documentation specifically for it. I guess it's time to write ESU and see if they can mail me something to show connection points.
That should be outlined in the first portion of the Loksound Select manual, which you can download directly from the ESU website in .pdf format...
DigitalGriffinI guess it's time to write ESU and see if they can mail me something to show connection points.
I think what you need is in the PowerPack manual on this page:
http://www.esu.eu/en/downloads/instruction-manuals/accessories/
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley