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Sound decoder or Decoder?

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  • Member since
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  • From: Western, MA
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Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 9:59 AM

Bachmann has N scale train sets. No DCC.

They have non sound DCC on board locos but I would stay away from them. They are pretty much bottom shelf.

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.

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Posted by tstage on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 9:49 AM

hylik,

If you're handy, here's a couple of sites that may give you a taste of what to expect:

Mr. DCC's University - Only G & HO installs pictured, no N.  Bruce used to own Litchfield Station but "retired" and sold the business.  However, Litchfield Station does carry all the available parts that you'll need for both a sound and non-sound installation.  Their prices are generally good and they are fast on delivery.  I've normally gotten items shipped from AZ or OH in 2 business days.

TCS Installation for N-scale - No sound decoder installs per say but does show numerous drop-in and hardwire versions

hylik, if you're going to DYI, perhaps tackle a non-sound decoder install fist - i.e. in order to get your feet wet.  Just a suggestion...

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
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Posted by hylik on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 9:19 AM

thanks for all the responses...

My original plan was to buy trainset but i do believe they will not be of much quality so i will have to buy separated I do expect to spend some money (but not too expensive). I dont know how challenge it's but i'm on IT and electronics, i know how to work with circuits, solder, motors etc...so i think i can handle. If i find train already installed and not much pricey then great.

i dont have nothing setup, i'm on the planning phase. I just want to be sure that what i want is even possible :)

  • Member since
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  • From: Western, MA
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Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 9:05 AM

BLI has some nice looking diesels with on board sound but around $200 each.

I have BLI HO scale and are quite nice.

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.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
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Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 9:01 AM

I will echo what Tom says. If new and going to N scale, installs yourself will be a challenge.

I just did a Google search for n scale dcc sound locomotives and there are some around. Saw comments, places that do installs for you. Places that sell with on board sound. Reviews.

That way, you can store the various links in Favorites and do some research. Then you can come back here with questions for details on a particular loco.

I do not have any N scale so I cannot comment on the quality of the different ones.

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.

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Posted by tstage on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 8:35 AM

hylik,

If you're a newbie and want to put sound in an N-scale locomotive, you're headed on a challenging endeavor if you are wanting to do this yourself - i.e. given your experience.

First off, decoders come in a four (4) flavors:

  1. Motion only - This controls motor and light functions
  2. Function only - This controls only light functions
  3. Sound - This has both sound and motor control
  4. Sound only - This controls only sound functions and is used along with 1

In an ideal world, you could do either 3 or 4 for sound.  However, given that you want to put this in an N-scale locomotive, it's really going to depend on the type of locomotive you have slated.  For ease, a sound decoder (or 3) would be the way to go....BUT...the crucial question is: Is there room for the decoder and speaker under the shell.

There are a few N-scale locomotives that do come with sound.  The speaker has to be pretty small so the sound may be only okay, at best.  If you aren't choosy about your era and railroad, you can try and google "N-scale+locomotive+sound" to see what kind of response you get.  The E-units at the bottom of this page (M.B. Klein) come with sound.  Apparently the single E6 is long enough to put the sound in.  The double units probably have the sound decoder and speaker in the B- or rear unit.  They are locomotives only so you'd have to purchase the track and DCC controller separately.

Re-reading your last sentence, do you already have a layout?  Or, are you looking to buy the sound locomotive w/rolling stock, track, and DCC system all-in-one.  If the latter then be forewarned that you're going to run into quality issues because train sets notoriously use so-so sub-components.  If you want something that's going to last and won't frustrate you over time, buying the sub-components separately is the way to go.  However, you will pay more for it that way.

Hope that's a help...

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
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  • From: Western, MA
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Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 8:28 AM

There are a fair amount of sound decoders that are twice the size of non sound decoders. I have both for HO scale.

Do some checking the various decoder companies yourself. That way you will get what you need..

Smll list.

Sound

SoundTraxx.

Digitrax

MRC, many avoid.

ESU LokSound

Non sound,

NCE

TCS

Digitrax

SoundTraxx

I like Litchfield Station for ordering DCC stuff. Check them out.

The below fellow has a lot of good info on DCC and sound. Look though all his site.

http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/soundtraxx/

Don't make assumptions when it comes to DCC if you are new.

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.

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Posted by jrbernier on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 8:05 AM

 Most 'sound' decoders also have 'motor' function in them.  You can get 'sound only' decoders that are used as an'add-on' to locomotives that already have a motor only  decoder.  Digitrax has/had a 'soundbug' add-on sound only decoder that snaps onto an existing Digitrax decoder.

  Most folks just replace the old motor function only decoder with a newer sound decoder that includes the motor/light function - Space being a primary issue.  Usually a sound/motor decoder is no larger hat a motor only decoder.  That extra space is eaten up by the speaker.

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    November 2012
  • 24 posts
Sound decoder or Decoder?
Posted by hylik on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 7:53 AM

hi,

the tittle maybe sound funny and stupid, but i'm the most newbie on the hobby as it can be...i'm planing our setup and we (wife and I) decided to use DCC with the layout.

the real question is based on our confusion, we want sound on the locos but for that we assume we need a sound decoder, right? but it's used along the normal decoder? or the sound decoder replace the normal decoder?

also where the sound comes from? speaker? where are they placed?

where can we find N scale train/train set with sound decoder/decoder installed?

 

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