I really don't have much DCC knowledge so I'm depending on some of you experienced guys for help here. I have installed sound decoders in several steam locos but never a pair of diesels.
I have a set of brass HO KEY FA-2's that are both powered. I want to add sound and DCC to them. Would I be better off buying 2 identical decoders and programming them as one unit or is there a better way?
Or use one sound decoder and wire them both to use it or maybe one unit with a sound decoder and the other with a deaf decoder?
If either of the latter choices, could speakers be added to the other unit and driven by the one single sound decoder?
Also, any recommendations of decoders and speakers for these models?
Thanks for the help!
oldline1
Ideally, the best way to go would be to buy two sound decoders (same manufacturer, same model) and install one in each engine. However, that can be expensive, especially if you're going to use the top-end sound decoders like ESU, TCS, or Soundtraxx Tsunamis.
Having one unit with a sound decoder and one with a regular decoder can work quite well, I have a couple of A-B sets of F-unit diesels where only one has sound. Since I normally use a drawbar instead of couplers to connect the A and B units, I usually put the sound in the B unit, as there's more room for a large speaker and enclosure in the B-unit. If you're going to run the A unit by itself sometimes, you may want to put the sound decoder in the A unit.
You can, as you suggest, put sound in one unit but have two speakers, one in each engine. You do need to be careful about wiring up the + and - correctly to each speaker, and that the ohms of the speakers are correct for the decoder. If you put say the sound decoder in the A unit, you can run two wires back through the end doors of the engines back to the B unit for it's speaker - you'd want in that case to either use a mini-plug to allow you to disengage the two units, or just connect them with a drawbar so they always run together.
Thanks, Styx.
These units are both A units and will always run together. Guess the best way is to spend the extra $$$ and equip them both with same equipment. I'm not sure how much room is left for speakers once the decoders and KA capacitors are installed. There's so many speakers of every size it makes the decision hard anyway. I want a lot of deep sound as the higher and tinnier sounds bother my ears.
oldline1These units are both A units and will always run together. Guess the best way is to spend the extra $$$ and equip them both with same equipment.
I've not done this, but from the pictures I've seen of brass A unit internals it appears that there should be plenty of room in the units for a decoder, speaker, and the capacitor thingys. But I would not necessarily install two sound decoders. I think you can install all that stuff in the first unit, and then run 2 wires from that to a speaker in the second unit. Use an appropriate plug so that you can separate the units if you need to.
Then in the second unit you can install a a non-sound decoder along with the capacitor thingy and save the differential cost between the sound and non-sound decoders. You should use sound and non-sound decoders from the same manufacturer. LokSound and probably others make non-sound and sound decoders that are supposed to match each other motor drivewise. That is something you need to consider.
So far as the bothering of the ears goes, there are a couple of forum members who will claim that any sound from a speaker in an HO or smaller model automatically is tinny, a distraction, and bothers their ears.
Maxman,
It seems I have a few good options here. I don't have any issues with running a connector between the units. They will always be mated unless one or both needs maintenance.
I understand the sound issue with some folks. I love sound. I started with Lambert sound many years ago then Modeltronics, PFM and then Dynatrol. Each had it's unique features and shortfalls. I personally think the PFM II had the best sound but was limited by straight DC.
I have a friend who has unfortunately got extremely sensitive ears and most sounds are a huge problem for him. Many others have the same issue. I'm fortunate in that sound just makes me feel I have the best of model railroading. I only have a problem with those who like the volume turned up so loud you can hear it across a 20' room. Just too much especially when there are multiple engines running.
I don't care for the accessory sounds like the gurgling water tank, Fireman Fred, coupler clank, etc. I REALLY dislike the radio and personnel sounds.
Anyway, thanks everyone for the ideas.
I personally would likely get two decoders and speakers, one per loco, and wire them completely separately. Then consist them using DCC. I like the sound of two diesels running together and notching up and down in unison. It really improve the realism for me. Still, if you want to wire them together, you do you!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
ANother reason I like Loksound. There is a CV to set that slightly adjusts the 'phasing' of the prime movers, so when you have 2 or more locos in consist, they don't all sound EXACTLY the same. Real locos aren't that way, even two with prime movers that came off the assembly line right after one another., so the ability to tweak this a bit makes the experience that much better.
I was of the opionin that if at least half the locos had sound, the rest didn;t need to. But the difference between a loco consist where one has sound and the others don't and when they all have sound is like the difference between listening to a record on a kid's toy record player compared to using a halfway decent hi-fi system.
It used to be insanely expensive, it's not so much now. Not compared to the cost of a decently detailed loco. And I've tried the cheaper sound decoders, they just don;t do it for me. I can hear the difference very clearly even witht he limited speakers available, and I'm not one of these "audiophools" who thinks $1000/ft speaker cable supported on tiny little pyramids to keep the vibrations out of the sound (yes, people DO believe that the virations of the floor effect the electrons in the wire and distort the sound!) is required to get a good listening experience. Or special directional Ethernet cables improve my playback of audio and video stored on my server (yes, people actually believe that, too - let that sink in - directional Ethernet...). There is definitely an audible difference in the quality of various sound decoders, to my ear.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Yes, Randy, I’m in complete agreement with you. Now our decoders are so advanced and sound so good, the next step it to get that glorious sound of multiple prime movers all working together. Once the OP hears such decoders, I dought he’ll want to go back! I love the sound of multiple prime movers!
I didn’t mention it before, because the OP said he always wants to run his two engine together, but two decoders allows for more flexibility. If someday the OP wants to split the consist and consist his engines to other diesel if he gets more, two decoders better allows for that!
oldline1Styx
I used to have a bunch of LP's by them back in the 80's.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983