Need to know what options I have in the way of a motor/sound decoder for the new Mantua Pacific with the , I believe, the 9 pin plug. Also need to know a good source. I've bought 90% of my DCC equipment from Tony's, but can't get any response from the SEARCH on his site or from email. Thanks
If it actually has a 9 pin plug, then a TCS T1 would work just fine. Get the T1A version, it's a buck cheaper because it doesn't come with the wire harness which you wouldn't need for this loco.
Here's the install: http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Mantua/4-6-2_Pacific%20with%20Vandytender/4-6-2_Pacific.html
And wow is that wiring some really cheap unprofessional work. If that indeed is the way it comes from the factory, that is a disgrace.
As far as where to buy, I usually get stuff from MB Klein, modeltrainstuff.com. Prices are within pennies of the best around, usually, and they have an accurate online inventory system so you don't get surprised later when they say your item is backordered. They also have a brick and mortar presence in the Baltimore MD area, so it's not just an internet dealer. Other options with good reputable service are Litchfield Station and Empire Northern.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Try TrainTek. Their response and customer service is superior.
If I am not mistaken, the T1 isn't a sound decoder. I put a Tsunami light steam decoder in the tender with the speaker in my Mantua Pacific, no 9 pin in mine.
73
Bruce in the Peg
jerryl Need to know what options I have in the way of a motor/sound decoder for the new Mantua Pacific with the , I believe, the 9 pin plug. Also need to know a good source. I've bought 90% of my DCC equipment from Tony's, but can't get any response from the SEARCH on his site or from email. Thanks
Don't be concerned if the wiring does not look "professional". That can be difficult to do with many steam decoder installs because of all the wires. You will see things like this as you see more DCC installs.
I have a couple factory Tsunami that came in like one you saw. The tender covers it all.
Diesel installs with the light board decoder look a lot better because of the minimum of wires used.
Below is what SoundTraxx recommends for a Pacific. You did ask for motor/sound decoder.
K4 4-6-2 Pacific TSU-1000 Medium Steam 826102. 810054 speaker, baffle 810110
SoundTraxx allows you to cut back the shrink just enough to remove the wires and 9 pin plug that comes with the decoder and plug in the 9 pin that is in the tender. Look carefully at the below site. It shows this. Look at all his stuff. This guy use to own Litchfield Station, a very good DCC site. Bruce retired last year.
He has a Litchfield link in his site.
http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/soundtraxx/tsunami.htm
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I didn't mean the wiring job done to install the decoder - if you look at the TCS example I linked, the STOCK FACTORY wires to the 9 pin plug have a hideous application of some sort of shrink tube to the joints like the whole thing was an afterthought and they just slapped the 9 pin socket in there.