Has anyone tried this recently released item? Any comments regarding it for a sound-only decoder installation in a box car? Also, they don't show a non-powered matching truck as far as I can tell. Did I miss that?
Mike
Hi Mike,
Yes, I purchased four sets when they were new. The 33" frt truck matching is p/n TRK-33. The pickups work absolutely flawlessly, rarely dropping out unless track is really bad. A GREAT relief after fooling around for years with 'Phosphor Bronze' wire (lousy contact), and various commercial pickup schemes, none of which really work very well, even with clean track.
I've used them for exactly your planned application - one of mine is an older Soundtraxx decoder and speaker in a freight car.
Well worth the price in my opinion.
Dick Chaffer
mreagant Has anyone tried this recently released item? Any comments regarding it for a sound-only decoder installation in a box car? Also, they don't show a non-powered matching truck as far as I can tell. Did I miss that? Mike
You don't want just one truck with pickups. Think, 0-4-0 loco with very short wheel base if you do.
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.
For thee sound install, follow the instructions that come with the decoder. I do know the Tsunami require a 100 ohm, 1/2 watt resistor to simulate the motor load. The CV's need a little adjustment to keep the resistor from getting too hot. I have a link somewhere from a DCC company that addresses the issue.
OK, here is the link to use the Tsunami as a sound only decoder.
http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/soundtraxx/tsunami.htm
Store the link in Favorites. You will need it.
I just looked at the Ring Engineering site and they sell matching trucks if you only want one truck with pickups. No idea on what site you were looking at and did not see matching trucks.
richg1998 You don't want just one truck with pickups. Think, 0-4-0 loco with very short wheel base if you do. Rich
I don't get what you are saying. Why would I need two powered trucks for a sound only decoder in a box car? Maybe I don't understand how they work.
Ring has matching non-power pick up versions of their trucks, but you really want power pickups on both ends of the car, not just one. The slightest drop in contact will cause the sound to drop out and restart. If you put power pickup trucks on both ends, you will have a wider power wheelbase, like an 8-wheel diesel, and things will be MUCH more reliable.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Think a loco which pickups on one end only and losing rail pickup on a turnout or maybe dirty track. The decoder hiccups. Sound interruption. It will happen a lot more than you think.
If an occasional hiccup is not an issue, then use only one truck.
Not a big deal.
Did exactly what you are planning to do.
I installed these in some Athearn mechanical reefers that were equipped with Digitrax Soundbugs. I used two power pickup trucks per car. A little more expensive to do, but I don't have any sound drops at all. But if you are only going to use one per car, as mentioned above, they also sell a matching "dummy" trucks. Here's a link:
Freight Car Trucks
Below is a link to a YouTube video of my sound reefers. I liked these so much I added sound to a third reefer.
Mechanical Reefer Sound Video
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
richg1998 I just looked at the Ring Engineering site and they sell matching trucks if you only want one truck with pickups. No idea on what site you were looking at and did not see matching trucks. Rich I was looking at the Ring Engineering web page, which seemed to be a reasonable place to look. Clicking on their link to the power trucks turned up only the power trucks, not matching non-power trucks or a link to same. I have this really old fashioned notion that such web sites should be user friendly. and not require customers to try to figure out where to go next. Silly me, I forgot these folks are engineers----or claim to be. May be the reason that successful businesses hire folks from the liberal arts to write their manuals. Mike
I was looking at the Ring Engineering web page, which seemed to be a reasonable place to look. Clicking on their link to the power trucks turned up only the power trucks, not matching non-power trucks or a link to same. I have this really old fashioned notion that such web sites should be user friendly. and not require customers to try to figure out where to go next. Silly me, I forgot these folks are engineers----or claim to be. May be the reason that successful businesses hire folks from the liberal arts to write their manuals.
OK. I'll back up half a step and say that when I re-checked the Ring Engineering web site the non-power trucks were on the page with the powered ones, although I did not find/see them the first time there. Likely my oversight. However, I don't understand why they are not priced. Maybe they're free?
mreagant .....However, I don't understand why they are not priced. Maybe they're free?
.....However, I don't understand why they are not priced. Maybe they're free?
?
$4.95
SEE THIS LINK
Maybe a browser thing on your end? Sometimes certain things don't show up on certain browsers. Although I doubt it here.
Southwest Chief mreagant: .....However, I don't understand why they are not priced. Maybe they're free? ? $4.95 SEE THIS LINK Maybe a browser thing on your end? Sometimes certain things don't show up on certain browsers. Although I doubt it here.
mreagant: .....However, I don't understand why they are not priced. Maybe they're free?
I apologize for the confusion, but I've figured out the problem. On the RE home page about half way down is a link to the Power Truck Page. If you click on that you find the power trucks priced at $19.95 and just below, the freight trucks (which I overlooked the first time) without a stated price. Back on the Home page, there is a direct link to a different page for the unpowered Freight Trucks, which has the $4.95 price. Unnecessairly confusing for a simpleton like me