Anyone know if the decoder in a Bachmann DCC-equipped Berkshire is plugged into an 8-pin plug? In other words, if I remove the decoder it comes with, is there a plug for a new decoder with sound? In other words, would this be a Plug-n-play or a Get-out-the-soldering iron project?
Google LokSound Select. Last I knew they come with eight pin plug and speaker. I just looked. They seem to come connected. Eight pin or 21 pin.Remove the caps from the PC board. They can affect the slow speed performance with BEMF. If you see what looks like two green resistors, they are chokes, no resistance. Some might have coils. The caps might be yellow blobs or Surface mount devices with a C prefix. Clip them. The two chokes will have an L. I have some Bachmann's.
I don't know how they are programmed today. I had the company program mine for my loco. Excellent decoders.
They should be ready for a 28mm round speaker. Mine had same size hole. You can see the diagram at the Bachmann site with all the parts also.
Some years ago I bought a LokSound Micro with plug and speaker.
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.
The exploded view diagram on the Bachmann website for HO Bachmann 2-8-4 Berkshire DCC on Board illustrates its tender PC board is equipped with a NMRA medium 8-pin socket.
RR Baron
Just checking that out, looks like it has a spot for a speaker in the bottom of the tender.
The TCS web site has an install of a WOW sound decoder and new speaker, in a Berkshire that came with factory sound. They are replacing the Bachmann decoder and sound with a new WOW sound set up.
Might be one way to go.
http://tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/bachmann-2-8-4-berkshire-steam/wsk-bac-4
Mike.
My You Tube
As the owner of several of these locos, yes the DCC onboard (no factory sound) versions have an eight pin socket. I am more than familiar with this as I run DC and remove the decoders and install jumpers for DC.
And yes, I do believe all the tender floors are speaker ready.
Sheldon
Thanks, guys. Question answered and answers much appreciated!
I’ve been hoping BLI would bring out a Berkshire or MTH would reissue the one they produced years ago. So far, no signs of that. Thus my question and your very helpful answers. Thanks again!
Kind of off topic. It was annoiunced late 2018 at the Bachmann forums Bachmann was switching to TCS WOW decoders. The K4 4-6-2 is the first one. Others are still SoundTraxx.
Scale Hogger Thanks, guys. Question answered and answers much appreciated! I’ve been hoping BLI would bring out a Berkshire or MTH would reissue the one they produced years ago. So far, no signs of that. Thus my question and your very helpful answers. Thanks again!
If I may ask, why not just buy the Bachmann loco with sound?
I don't think BLI would even consider it at this point.
If you like "scale" models, I would not get the MTH model, it has lots of oversized bulky cast on details, and it is only correct for NKP.
The Bachmann model has a number of specific correct details for each of the road names offered, including the correct sand box placement, a major difference.
The Bachmann model runs good, I can't speak for the soundtraxx decoder, I don't use DCC or sound.
The Bachmann model can use some extra weight, but it is fairly easy to remove the boiler shell and add some. Some where on this forum is a thread where I posted info on that project.
Toy Train Heaven and Trainworld both have them in stock.
I figure around a hundred or a little more for decoder and speaker. I might be a little low.
I believe a sound value is going for around two hundred online right now. Check shipping. SoundTraxx decoder. SoundTraxx site has the CV specs. Not a full blown Tsunami but usually acceptable. You can compare easily to other decoder CV's.
Amazon has them for a little more and free shipping.
richg1998 Kind of off topic. It was annoiunced late 2018 at the Bachmann forums Bachmann was switching to TCS WOW decoders. The K4 4-6-2 is the first one. Others are still SoundTraxx. Rich
It was annoiunced late 2018 at the Bachmann forums Bachmann was switching to TCS WOW decoders.
"switching" may misled some.
Bachmann Trains HO ACS-64 was first Bachmann locomotive to have factory install TCS WOWSound decoder. The Streamlined K4 is second.
Nothing has been written by Bachmann Trains on their ASK THE BACH MAN FORUM I could find using their Search feature about switching (meaning no longer will use SoundTraxx) to TCS.
I found it in one of the posting in General discussions back in fall of 2018 for new products. Someone there had to point it out to me.
At least that is the impression I got. If it is a complete switch, it will take time.
I completely missed the install on the first loco is why I thought the K4 was first. Looks like they picked two locos that did not have SoundTraxx sound before.
richg1998 I found it in one of the posting in General discussions back in fall of 2018 for new products. Someone there had to point it out to me. At least that is the impression I got. If it is a complete switch, it will take time. I completely missed the install on the first loco is why I thought the K4 was first. Looks like they picked two locos that did not have SoundTraxx sound before. Rich
No "switching" statement by Bachmann was found in any Bachmann Discussion Board by their Search feature in the last 365 days.
FYI - Bachmann awhile ago has released their Spectrum HO K4 4-6-2 factory equipped with SoundTraxx OEM Bachmann decoder using Tsunami Digital Sound Technology (do not confuse this decoder with an aftermaket Tsunami or a Sound Value decoder).
Thanks to all for the info and suggestions. Here’s “the rest of the story.”
Bought the Bachmann Berkshire with DCC (no sound) from TrainWorld for $100 + shipping = $114. Sent it off to DCCXpressInstalls and had them put in the appropriate TCS WOW kit and the new deeper bass speaker. $185 (including return shipping). They had it back to me in the time promised. Sounds great, runs great. Very pleased.