potlatcher Look no further than last year's December issue of MR: http://mrr.trains.com/sitecore/content/Magazine%20Issues/2010/December%202010.aspx
Look no further than last year's December issue of MR:
http://mrr.trains.com/sitecore/content/Magazine%20Issues/2010/December%202010.aspx
Ah, the "Rod Stewart" issue!
Got it. Looks fairly straight forward and manageable.
Thanks for the tip!
It shows a sound install for the Atlas S-2 - internally identical to your S-4. I shoehorned an old Soundtraxx DSD-90 unit into my S-3 several years ago, so I know it can be done.
Good Luck!
Tom
Thanks for the responses.
I'm no stranger to working with electronics in tight places (EE background). And have installed a good number of decoders (with and w/o sound) So the actual install wouldn't deter me.
My primary interest is in what's possible/reasonable to accomplish. And what sort of setup (decoder and speaker) would be the "best choice" in terms of install success, product reliability and faithfullness of sound to prototype.
I have looked at only Tsunami and Loksound (already decided against MRC for the reasons you cite, Paul). I know Tonys cites a .75 amp "N" scale setup. But I have concerns about current draw (heat) and reliability. Those are solvable. But I was wondering if anyone had done an alternate setup for one of these.
I hope you are a talented DCC sound installer as this one will be a pain top get it "right".
Right now, the only "board replacement" or "drop-in" sound decoder for these models is the MRC version. However, it does have some issues...namely that the MRC board does not play the 6-cylinder 539 Alco engine for S-units, but instead it plays the V-12 244 Alco engine (as used in RS-3's).Even if you can live with your switcher sounding like an RS-3, the other issue is that MRC decoders are undependible junk. At my club, we've had a 50% failure rate with them, and they've never improved. IOW, don't buy the MRC sound decoder unless you like possibly wasting your money and your time.
The other option for Atlas S-unit sound is to install a sound decoder from Soundtraxx Tsunami, LokSound, or BLI Revolution series. All these are much, much better than MRC...but none of them are made for these units. There will have to be some milling, drilling, or other kinds of modification to get one of these in the unit and sounding good.
For something like this, I'd go with a professional DCC installer like Tony's Train eXchange (www.tonystrains.com) or TrainTek (www.traintekllc.com). You'll pay more, but if you want sound in tight quarters, they are probably your best bet.
Paul A. Cutler III
No idea of what your level of DCC sound installs are like.
http://www.mrdccu.com/install/hods/Atlas-S2-826004.htm
In the below link,substitute a Tsunami or maybe a Micro Tsunami depending on the motor current of yours at 12 volts DC.
http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/instal_dsd090_atlas.htm
Someone has put a MRC DROP-IN SOUND in one but no details, just a You Tube video.
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.
Looking to equip an Atlas Alco S-4 with DCC decoder with sound. Anyone have a recommendation?