After reading the directions a few times, I know it's possible, I just haven't figured out how yet. I'm trying to install a Digitraxx SFx0416 into an Athearn Genesis SD60 w/a DH123 Decoder, and an Athearn RTR Ac4400 also with a Digitraxx DH123. I know you can install them both, and have the SFx provide the sound. However, the directions for neither decoders really explains how to hook them up in tandem to work together. Has anyone done this, and had any luck?
Kyle
PUGET SOUND LINES
"Service, Pride and Efficiency"
I haven't done it with those two types of decoders, but with others. Connect the red and black wires to the same power input source and program both decoders to the same address.
Have you already bought the decoders?
If not I would suggest you get a Soundtraxx Tsunami. They make one specifically for that loco. I have one in my SD60i
Springfield PA
e So connect them to the same +/- leads off the engine, or tie the sound to the sound into the +/- off the DH123? I've already purchased them...in the future all of my decoders will be sound equipped from the get go. However, it never hurts to learn a different way, or another method of getting the result you want. Can't always walk to easy path
You want both decoders hooked to the track. In some two decoder installations you want to program them first, separately. Don't know if that's the case here.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
Kyle_Y So connect them to the same +/- leads off the engine, or tie the sound to the sound into the +/- off the DH123?
So connect them to the same +/- leads off the engine, or tie the sound to the sound into the +/- off the DH123?
To the same + and - leads of the locomotive pickups. You can't use the + and - off of the DH123 because that's only for the lights.
You need the DCC signal off the track to make the Sound decoder work.
Wiring is easy. The red and black wires from the SFX0416 go to the track, just like the red and black wires from the DH123.
But, there are three things to consider here. First, the SFX0416 is an under-powered decoder. If you are expecting big-engine sound from this decoder, you will be disappointed. The decoder simply doesn't have the power to get a lot of volume out of the engine, regardless of what speaker you've got. Use a Sound Bug instead. It lacks the function outputs, but it is much louder.
I think the default diesel sound from the decoder might actually be an SD-something, so you're in luck there. If you want an accurate AC4400, though, you will need to download a different "sound project" into the decoder. That requires a PR3 programmer unit from Digitrax. You can't do it any other way. Digitrax does have an available sound project for the AC4400.
The DH123 will work with this decoder, but they are not fully compatable, and you may not be able to program them at the same time. In this case, you probably want to program the sound decoder before you install it. I have to do this with a couple of these decoders. Once the decoder is fully programmed, then you can solder the wires. To make it worse, your programming track may want a "load" to tell it that there is something there. You can use a 100-ohm resistor across the rails, or an incandescent light bulb connected to one of the functions of the SFX0416.
I have two of these. One is in a trolley, with a really, really small 1/2 inch round speaker. I can only hear it if nothing else is running. I've also got one in a dummy F7A. That's not too bad, but since it's a dummy, it's got a decent-sized speaker and the whole shell for a baffle.
And then, I have two Tsunamis. They cost me more than the locomotives I installed them in. If you ask me which engines bring a smile to my face, as David would say, it's these.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.