I model N scale and already have a pair of sound equipped steamers and I'm addicted to this.Now I'd like to have at least one of my diesels with sound but a problem...only MRC makes some and yet,machining is required to install them and also,MRC sound isn't that great either,and worse they aren't reliable.
I have a couple of diesels I never use (Life-Like GP's) that I didn't want to retrofit to DCC as I felt they weren't worthed it.However,they are fine DC runners,meaning that power feed to the motor is good in both cases so I thought...if I remove the motor and gears then mill the frame to create more room...could I find an HO decoder/speaker setup that would fit in?The decoder would only need to be a "sounder" then.I could consist these locos with my Kato's without speed matching and have good sound too.Does that make sense?
Wow, N-scale... seems challenging. I have had reasonable luck with Digitrax sfx0416's, but I don't believe their sound is as "professional" as the QSI systems. I have purchased the Digitrax programmer and have tinkered with sound files, and there is additional potential for the true hacker to do even more than swapping sound files in and out.
In addition to the decoder, you will need a speaker in an enclosure of some sort which keeps the front and back of the speaker isolated from each other.
Here's another thought: I have recently assembled a Digitrax SFX0416 in a plywood box about 4.5" on each side, with a 3 inch 8-ohm speaker. I place the box UNDER the train benchwork under the yard area. When I select a switcher engine to run in the yard, I first program the decoder under the table to the same address. Except that the sound doesn't actually come from the engine, this works well.
Jim
Take a look at the LokSound Micro, it is available preprogramed with most popular locomotive sounds. As mentioned the bigger problem is where to put the smallest speaker, 1/2 inch, available from LokSound. One advantage is there is no capacitor to find a spot for. It uses a 100 ohm speaker.
Hope this is helpful, Chris
Thanks for the kind answers.What I'd like to do here is simply having a sound carrying loco that I'd consist with other DCC equipped Kato locos.So there's no need for the locomotion controls making a "sound only" decoder fine for the purpose.I believe it could be a little smaller and certainly more appropriate cost wise.
The Digitrax SFX0416 seems like a good alternative if I can find a suitable speaker for it that could also be fitted inside an emptied N scale loco shell,given more room is created through machining of the frame,leaving only what's necessary to hold the shell on afterwards.
The Micro decoders (either Loksound or Tsunami) would surely do the job finely but I'd rather keep such higher priced items for more valuable projects like a few of my steamers,wich are my priority items.However I like tweaking and I'm in no emergency with this project...I believe I'll find a way.
Don't know what time period or railroad you're modeling, but if you are running steam engines and first generation diesels the easiest way to get sound in a consist would be to use a B dummy unit. I realize that doesn't solve the question of what to do with the Life-Like GP's, but seems it would be easier than what you're proposing.
Just a thought.
When I became first interested by train modelling,I joined the local club and started buying modern diesels as this is what the guys model there.My "bread&butter" fleet is composed of CP's and UP's SD50's to 90's.My Life-Like GP-38 was my very first purchase and isn't DCC ready,so I thought that the expense isn't so much to salvage it as a sounder,by machining room at the expense of losing locomotion.I've thought of buying a dummy loco for this purpose but I fear it probably doesn't have the electrical path from track to chassis,so I'd be back to square one.I know it may not be too prototypical to have an SD90 in consist with a GP38 but then...who cares?
My steam locos I use at home and occasionally at the club too but most of them aren't DCC'd yet and some never will be.Only 3 of them are DCC (2 w/sound) yet and I'm planning to retrofit a couple other of my more precious as my budget allows.Although I like my diesels a lot,I've developped a particular interest for steamers.I find some "character" in them,some personality I'd say,but that's me........