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bachmann climax sound module

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  • Member since
    February 2013
  • 24 posts
bachmann climax sound module
Posted by dslack490 on Thursday, January 17, 2019 9:08 PM

I recently purchased a Bachmann Spectrum Climax (the ones with metal gears, and DCC Sound Ready model) and Im trying to find the sound module for it, The problem is, no one has it anymore. Did a Google search and no one has it in stock, not even Bachmann. 

 

Can I use a different Bachmann Plug-and-Play sound module, or do I have to use the one for the Climax?

 

Update: I just emailed Bachmann to see if they will get this decoder back in stock. However, after looking at Tony's Train Exchange website, the page for the same decoder says they won't get anymore until mid 2019. 

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Yorkton, Sk, Cnd
  • 441 posts
Posted by wvg_ca on Friday, January 18, 2019 9:16 AM

you have to use one built for the climax, it's specific to the twenty one plug connector ... it's not the same as the DCC twenty one plug  ...

i think it's proprieary because of the end size of the sound board

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Friday, January 18, 2019 10:14 AM

dslack490

I recently purchased a Bachmann Spectrum Climax (the ones with metal gears, and DCC Sound Ready model) and Im trying to find the sound module for it, The problem is, no one has it anymore. Did a Google search and no one has it in stock, not even Bachmann. 

 

Can I use a different Bachmann Plug-and-Play sound module, or do I have to use the one for the Climax?

 

I was looking that sound module up and I assume your loco has a decoder in it now and that module only adds sound?

Odd way of doing that. Twentry one pins for sound.

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.

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Yorkton, Sk, Cnd
  • 441 posts
Posted by wvg_ca on Friday, January 18, 2019 11:09 AM

yes, twenty one pins just for sound, a double row connector ..

the speaker is already installed, under the DCC board

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    August 2016
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Posted by swisstrain on Friday, January 18, 2019 11:16 AM

Looks like an annoying way to forcing a captive customer into purchasing that exact (overpriced) sound module, if they want sound in their engine ...

Is the engine already prefitted with a speaker?  If so, you could always rip out the existing DCC Board, buy a good quality sound decoder like a tsunami II and hard wire it.  I know if you have never done that, a project like that sounds daunting, but I did that with a Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0 which had DCC only, and it with no real prior experience in installing sound decoders but some patience the project turned out great.

  • Member since
    February 2013
  • 24 posts
Posted by dslack490 on Friday, January 18, 2019 2:09 PM

wvg_ca

you have to use one built for the climax, it's specific to the twenty one plug connector ... it's not the same as the DCC twenty one plug  ...

i think it's proprieary because of the end size of the sound board

 

 

Really? I saw bachmann plug-and-play modules for different locomotives, and they all look exactly the same. 

  • Member since
    February 2013
  • 24 posts
Posted by dslack490 on Friday, January 18, 2019 2:12 PM

swisstrain

Looks like an annoying way to forcing a captive customer into purchasing that exact (overpriced) sound module, if they want sound in their engine ...

Is the engine already prefitted with a speaker?  If so, you could always rip out the existing DCC Board, buy a good quality sound decoder like a tsunami II and hard wire it.  I know if you have never done that, a project like that sounds daunting, but I did that with a Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0 which had DCC only, and it with no real prior experience in installing sound decoders but some patience the project turned out great.

 

 

Yes, it does have a speaker already in it. 

If I can just rip it out, I could use a TCS system instead of Soundtraxx. Is that possible?

  • Member since
    February 2013
  • 24 posts
Posted by dslack490 on Friday, January 18, 2019 2:16 PM

richg1998

 

 
dslack490

I recently purchased a Bachmann Spectrum Climax (the ones with metal gears, and DCC Sound Ready model) and Im trying to find the sound module for it, The problem is, no one has it anymore. Did a Google search and no one has it in stock, not even Bachmann. 

 

Can I use a different Bachmann Plug-and-Play sound module, or do I have to use the one for the Climax?

 

 

 

I was looking that sound module up and I assume your loco has a decoder in it now and that module only adds sound?

Odd way of doing that. Twentry one pins for sound.

Rich

 

 

Yes, it has a decoder in it already, but all of the other plug-and-play modules I have seen from bachmann look exactly the same as the one I need. 

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, January 18, 2019 2:51 PM

dslack490
Really? I saw bachmann plug-and-play modules for different locomotives, and they all look exactly the same.

Yes, you want the sound module for the 2 truck shay as that's what it's programed for.  The modulars all look alike, but the sounds are different, for different locomotives.

You want Bachmann #44956, for HO scale.

Wait, what scale are you talking about?

Mike.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Friday, January 18, 2019 3:50 PM

I got an email the beginning of the week from Trainworld.  I looked at Modeltrainstuff website and they had them too, at maybe $10 less.  Today they are sold out at MTS.

Neither site mentioned the sound module would be unobtanium.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Friday, January 18, 2019 4:48 PM

Bachmann has done that with some locos. I have been following their forums for some years.

I looked at the SoundTraxx forums and they suggest a couple of their sound decoders but you have to rip out the present decoder. I guess similar to what TCS would suggest. Rip out. Measure twice, and order. Decoder specs online.

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.

  • Member since
    February 2013
  • 24 posts
Posted by dslack490 on Friday, January 18, 2019 6:24 PM

mbinsewi

 

 
dslack490
Really? I saw bachmann plug-and-play modules for different locomotives, and they all look exactly the same.

 

Yes, you want the sound module for the 2 truck shay as that's what it's programed for.  The modulars all look alike, but the sounds are different, for different locomotives.

You want Bachmann #44956, for HO scale.

Wait, what scale are you talking about?

Mike.

 

 

Yes, it's HO scale. Sorry I forgot to mention that

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, January 18, 2019 8:41 PM

 Rip it all out, put in a TCS Wow or ESU Loksound Select Micro. The Micro will easily fit in the loco. Either way you'll have a better decoder.

                                  --Randy

 

                  


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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