Wondering if anyone has fitted a decoder to one of these units yet ?
Would like to know how it (they) perform and any issues encountered.
Cheers
I recently installed a Loksound mini decoder in two U18B units. I outfitted the chassis with a 14mm X 25mm speaker mounted on a platform made of .040 styrene. I used the infinite baffle principle as described in detail by Bruce Pertraca of Litchfield Station. Since the SCL units have a nose Gyralite, I moved the function wire from the F0 pin (pin 6) of the 8pin NMRA socket to pin 3 (optional pin). I removed the European plug supplied with the decoder and installed a NMRA 8 pin plug. Because there the 8 cylinder FDL16 engine scheme is not yet available, I used the 12 cylinder sound scheme. The SCL units were typically outfitted with a Leslie RS5TRRO horn, so I customized my scheme with a horn sound set I created from horn samples I acquired.
Both units run very smooth. One of them had more brush/commutator noise than the other out of the box, but after running it for 1/2 hour, the sound disappeared. The ESU decoders allow the locomotive to creep along at very slow speeds with various loads. If the QSI U18B scheme becomes available for the Revolution series of decoders, I may change them out at a later date. But I'm satisfied for now.
Carl in Florida - - - - - - - - - - We need an HO Amtrak SDP40F and GE U36B oh wait- We GOT THEM!