Have all my N scale engines setup with decoders, I would now like add sound. Have seen and heard N scale engines equiped with sound decoders - not impressed. Sound output to low and problems with programming decoder for other engine operations. I'm thinking about using a dumb N scale engine or slug. I would setup dumb unit with a larger sound decoder and specker ( no motor or light function to be used only DCC output for sound ). I would then consist both decoders and use as one - will this work ?
Ed ceo ATR
Yes, that will work and you need only a Sound Only decoder instead of one with motor and light controls. Rather than set them up as a consist, it would probably be easier to just give them the same address.
The biggest problem you might encounter is electrical pickup for the dummy engine. I have no expereince with N scale, but most HO scale dummy locomotives I've worked with had plastic wheels or there were no electrical pickup wipers on the wheels even if they were metal..
I've done something similar in HO with F units. The A unit is powered and has a standard decoder, and the B unit is a dummy. I run two wires back thru the windows of the doors at the end of the A unit thru the front door window of the B unit, and connect the wires up to a 'sound only' decoder and speaker. (I connect the A and B units with a drawbar so I don't have to worry about uncoupling them.) So far I haven't felt the need to try to get additional electrical pickup from the dummy B unit, but it wouldn't be that hard to do.
Of course, you also could just replace the powered engine's decoder with a sound-and-motion decoder, and run the speaker wires back to a large speaker in the dummy unit. I've done that too and it works fine.
Yes it can be done as described above. I have done similar things with several of my AB and AA F7 and PA sets. Since the sound only decoders usually cost as much as fully capable decoders or more I use low cost Soundtraxx or in one case MRC motor/sound decoders.
Here is an example of one of the AB F7 sets:
The A-unit #1663 has a Digitrax DH123 decoder hard wired into place. I replaced the original plastic wheels on the dummy B-unit #2443, with Athearn metal wheels and bearings for powered units to add weight and for electrical pick-up. A Soundtraxx DSD100LC diesel sound decoder and a 1.1-inch diameter speaker from Tony's Trains are installed in the B-unit. These two locomotives are electrically coupled with a Miniatronics miniature 2-conductor plug and wire set. I attached a small shrouded structure bulb to the motor leads to provide a load for programing. This arrangement provides for 16-wheel electrical pick-up and all but eliminates the stuttering of the sound decoder. Once the CVs are set to my liking I usually give both the decoders the same address for convenience.
Whichever method you use, you should have no trouble with the two decoder arrangement.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Other than the Digitrax SFX0416, SFX064D and Soundbugs, are there any sound-only decoders?
I have at least one of each of these. I would only recommend the Soundbug (SFX004.) The others, for some reason, have very low output volume, even when cranked up all the way.
I've heard the same rap on some of the newer sound-and-motor decoders from Digitrax, particularly the ones designed for N-scale. So, be careful which of these you choose.
I have several older Athearn F7 units. One is a dummy B unit that came with metal wheels and the same trucks as powered engines, and another is an A unit that I "neutered" because it didn't run well at all, and it was an old rubber-band drive to boot. I put sound into them, but I give each its own address so I can mix-and-match my consists.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.