DCC with Sound

[alloboard]

I want to add sound to a Life-Like RDC. Will getting one of the Digitrax Soundbug ready decoder boards be a solution? What will be the best way to add sound and DCC to an Athearn P42, IHC GG1, MRC F7A, Bachmann Acela Acela HHP-8 locomotive, Bachmann steam and a Bachmann F40PH.

[UpNorth]

You asked the same questions months ago. Read your previous posts, people answered.

[MisterBeasley]

Yeah, it's this one:

http://cs.trains.com/forums/1439548/ShowPost.aspx

That post was in the Layouts and Layout Building forum.  The subject was pretty well covered, if I do say so myself.

This forum is probably a better place for the topic, though, and some fresh insight might be found here.

[bagal]

The Digitrax Soundbug compatible decoders (165 series) are probably not a good choice for the RDC. The 165 series are made for specific locos but the P1K RDC requires a hard wired decoder. Perhaps a 165 decoder could be adapted but maybe the Loksound decoder would be a better choice.

[cmarchan]

The Digitrax Soundbug compatible decoders (165 series) are probably not a good choice for the RDC. The 165 series are made for specific locos but the P1K RDC requires a hard wired decoder. Perhaps a 165 decoder could be adapted but maybe the Loksound decoder would be a better choice.

 

First of all Digitrax is the only aftermarket company offering a decent RDC sound scheme.

I recommend using a Soundbug with a compatible motor/lighting decoder, such as a DZ143 and load the RDC sound scheme into the Soundbug. My favorite choice (I have done this by the way with good results) is to combine a DZ143 with the SFX064D sound/function decoder as it has a richer sound output with the 32 ohm speaker supplied. Mount the speaker over the front truck. Use a 16 oz Coke bottlecap for the enclosure or buy an suitable enclosure. It works great in the LL RDC!