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Tsunami TSU-GN1000 Digital Sound Decoder

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Tsunami TSU-GN1000 Digital Sound Decoder
Posted by fondo on Friday, January 20, 2012 10:41 PM

Wondering if this decoder can be installed in a SD70ACe BUT not from Athearn Genesis? It doesn't matter if requires solder and cables join, I've a OMI locomotive and I think this decoder would have the properly sounds for SD70Ace, any other recommendation it's welcome!
Also trying to figure out which 8ohm speaker will be best!

Thanks!

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Posted by Graffen on Saturday, January 21, 2012 5:50 AM

Why not the 827115?

That is the standard shrinkwrapped Tsunami. I think that would work much better in a metal environment...... 

As for speakers, I would go for a twin setup as the space is more effectively used then. Meaure and see how big space you got left after installing a decoder.

Some locos can have the speakers mounted in a slanted position. That makes it possible to have them mounted facing each other, wich can give a nice setup.

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

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Posted by fondo on Saturday, January 21, 2012 7:50 AM

Thanks Graffen I didn't see it when I searched in soundtraxx page! it's specific for SD70ACe so I think you are right!

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Posted by woodone on Saturday, January 21, 2012 10:07 AM

So does the GN series decoder (828053) The GN might be better to install in a diesel (IMO).

There is no capaciator to mess with. You might want to check you model for what type of lighting it has. 1.5 volt bulbs- 12 volt bulbs or LED's. The GN board is set up to operate 1.5 volt bulbs. I am unsure as to if it has a 12 volt output on the board. The TSU-1000 is set up for 12 volt output so if you have LED's or 1.5 volt bulbs you will have to do something to take care of that. The GN board is not has thick as the TSU-1000. Sometimes finding a place to install the decoder can be a problem in some models. If you use two speakers wire the two ( 8 ohm) speakers in series. 

 

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Posted by gandydancer19 on Saturday, January 21, 2012 10:41 AM

For a speaker, I have had good success lately with the mini-oval and enclosure.  It will fit inside the cab on the cab roof facing down, but will show up through the windows some.  (I paint the enclosure flat black.)  You may have to remove the window glazing and put in something thinner than what came installed as windows.  The body of the locomotive also acts like an echo chamber and improves the sound quality.

Elmer.

The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.

(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.

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Posted by rrinker on Saturday, January 21, 2012 12:40 PM

 Depends on the internal layout of the loco. If it's similar to an Athearn, then the GN style will work well. The AT Atlas style may also be useful for many hood diesels.

                         --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by woodone on Saturday, January 21, 2012 4:51 PM

Randy,

The AT board does not come with the correct sould file for the SD70 ACe. As you stated it will work in may other locomotives.

For the OP.

As for a speaker I would think that a 16MM X 35MM would fit over the rear truck.

  

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Posted by rrinker on Saturday, January 21, 2012 6:27 PM

 And strengthens my point that NOT having the ability to load sounds is a bad idea. Not edit sounds, that's an entirely different animal. So we have some Tsunamis come with certain sound sets that others do not. Makign life more complicated. I'm sure the AT board doesn't come with the 70ACe sounds because Atlas has not made an SD70ACe, yet. So no need to stock the SKU no one would buy - except people who might use that form factor board for an easy fitment in a non-standard loco.

 They do seem to be willing to do specials though, if the AT board fits better they might be able to make one for you with the proper sounds.

                  --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by fondo on Sunday, January 22, 2012 1:01 AM

Thanks all for you replies!

I've one problem, the seller doesn't have the 827115. So I still can buy the GN1000.
The locomotive to install it, it's a Overland SD70ACe HO that already comes with a digitrax decoder BUT it doesn't have a 8 pin plug, that's why I want to know if the GN1000 it can be fitted, as I wll have to solder the cables? the space is not a problem, because there is enough and so for two speakers!
Now, the GN1000 710G3C-T2 will still be a good option? does it have the properly sound for that locomotive and functions for ditchlights?

BTW wich is the big purple??

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Posted by rrinker on Sunday, January 22, 2012 10:35 AM

 It should fit fine, the wires are in approximately the right place, but you will have to do some soldering. The sounds are the right ones for the SD70ACE. And there are two extra function outputs you can connect to the ditch lights to make them work.

        --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by woodone on Sunday, January 22, 2012 10:44 AM

I am sure you can find someone who has the 827115 decoder in stock on line.

I would still look to see just what type of lighting the model has, and yes per SoundTraxx's information the 710G3C-T2 (828053) would be the correct sounds for your SD70 ACe.

The Big Purple is the TSU-1000 decoder- reason Dave calls it the Big Purple is because it is covered with purple shrink wrap.

My feeling is the GN board will be a better fit. The lights would be the determining factor if I were doing the install.

Second, I would use just one speaker- A 16MM X 35MM, If done correctly you will have plenty of volume.

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Posted by fondo on Sunday, January 22, 2012 11:06 AM

From what I saw(I don't have the locomotive with me now) there was two board on the locomotive, one for the decoder and other which received cables from the decoder and it's diodes and resistors. That's why I think it has 1.5v bulb, that 2nd board is to reduce voltage I assume.
Also, maybe I can still using that 2nd board if I buy the decoder that doesn't provide the correct voltage for the bulbs, don't you think so?

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Posted by woodone on Sunday, January 22, 2012 1:18 PM

Well if your unit has 1.5 volt bulbs the GN board would be the way to go.

Scrap everything on the inside of the loco and install the GN board and a speaker. Wire up the lights and you are on your way. 

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Posted by fondo on Monday, January 23, 2012 9:03 AM

Here are the pictures of the two boards, as you can see the main board receives the wheels cables and then has a 10pin plug with color cables that goes to the second board. That board is to reduce the voltage for lamps? if yes I'll go for the GN

click on photos to see it bigger

2nd board unscrewd from locomotive

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Posted by fondo on Monday, January 23, 2012 10:00 AM

And the possible speakers are:

Railmaster {DS1635-8} Bass Reflex Speaker DS1635-8
17.7mm x 37.45mm x 14.5mm (includes enclosure)

Railmaster {DS1635-8} Bass Reflex Speaker DS1635-8 - YANKEEDABBLER

AHD TDS QSI DCC Premium Sound Speaker - Medium Oval

35 x 20 mm (1.38" x 0.79") 8 mm (0.32") H

This one will not fit with enclosure

AHD TDS QSI DCC Premium Sound Speaker - Medium Oval



Soundtraxx {810103} OVAL SPEAKER

1.56" x 0.78" x 0.31" deep

This one will not fit with enclosure

Soundtraxx {810103} OVAL SPEAKER - YANKEEDABBLER

Also it's important to know if you think it's better with enclosure or without will be the same? so the speaker can be bigger. And if the position has to be looking upwards or it can be looking to a side(but maybe as it's a brass locomotive, the speaker will stick to the brass because of the magnet???).
I'm going to put it in the end of the locomotive so sound can go out through grills.

 

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Posted by woodone on Monday, January 23, 2012 10:16 AM

That almost looks like a DCC decoder over the motor. Is this loco already equiped with a decoder?

I would remove all of the boards, install the GN decoder over the motor like the one shown in your photo's. Test the lights to see if they are 1.5 volt or 12 volt. Hard to see just what kind of lights are being used from your photo's.  

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Posted by fondo on Monday, January 23, 2012 10:21 AM

woodone

That almost looks like a DCC decoder over the motor. Is this loco already equiped with a decoder?

I would remove all of the boards, install the GN decoder over the motor like the one shown in your photo's. Test the lights to see if they are 1.5 volt or 12 volt. Hard to see just what kind of lights are being used from your photo's.  

Yes, as I mentioned before it's digitraxx equipped.

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Posted by Graffen on Monday, January 23, 2012 11:17 AM

You must use some kind of speaker enclosure.... the sound level/quality goes down the drains without one in my opinion!

When putting sound in a Bachmann 0-6-0t, I used twin 1/2" speakers in a Isobaric enclosure (a tight installation), and the sound is amazing considering the small speakers.

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

My Railroad

My Youtube:

Graff´s channel

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Posted by woodone on Monday, January 23, 2012 11:22 AM

Sorry, I did not see your mention of the unit having a decoder already installed .

I would still remove everthing and just install the GN decoder and a speaker.

I am guessing the lights are 1.5 volt?

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Posted by woodone on Monday, January 23, 2012 11:32 AM

The use of an enclosure (or lack of) will depend on how you install the speaker into the loco.

I have installed many sound decoders and have used the loco's shell as the enclosure.

The most important thing is to separate the front of the speaker from the rear.

 

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Posted by fondo on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 7:04 AM

Well thanks for all who help me in this thread, already bought the GN and QSI medium oval speaker, also another soundtraxx decoder for my MP15DC. I'll update when installed, but I'll receive the item in a month so there is a time to wait yet!

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