I just received an order containing some more train stuff and enclosed was a shiny flyer proclaiming the virtues of Lok-sound decoders. I've noticed lately that several manf. are switching to ESU and getting away from their previous sound suppliers (QSI, Sndtrxx. etc.) The brochure proclaims drop in for all the major brands and adjustable parameters similar to Soundtraxx, plus downloadable soundfile capability. The boards appear to be slightly smaller than a comparable Soundtraxx AT, or GN Tsunami. I'm too lazy to take the body off a loco to measure and I don't have any unused boards on hand. No one in our fair city carries Lok-sound so I can't go look at one. Can anyone confirm the size difference between a Tsunami GN or AT style board? Also do these Lok-sound have the capacitor on a tail like the AT style boards? This capacitor sometimes can be as big a pain to find a spot for as a speaker. I've got about 4 switchers that I want to add sound to. If the Lok-sounds are smaller and no capacitor to deal with, I might give ESU a try.
The ESU site will have dimensions for all the various Loksound decoders: http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/
The AT style board are pretty much the same size no matter who makes them - because they are designed to fit specifically in Athearn and Atlas locos which have mouting pegs that hold the factory light board in place and the decoder clips to those. The Loksound Micro I'm pretty sure is smaller than a TS-750 and also doesn;t have the overheating issues.
Loksound decoders don't have the capacitor. It's optional. They can also use a module like the Lenz USP to provide some serious uninterrupted operation even on dirty track - ESU has their own but the Lenz one is also compatible.
There are basicaly two lines of Loksound decoders in current production. The Select series is most like QSI decoders - they come with a bunch of sounds already on the board and you select the prime mover and whistle with CV settings. Plus with the Lokprogrammer you can change out the sound sets - the entire sound set, not swap out individual sounds. The Loksound V4 is completely programmable - you can mix and match sounds from their extensive library, or record your own, and completely customize the 'script' that tells it which sounds to play in which conditions. Just changing out a sound is quite easy - I customized an Alco sound file for a V4 to use an M3 horn, since the default V4 Alco sound has a 5 chime horn in it, and it was a matter of a few clicks. This was using a clip from their library. Recording your own sounds and customizing the scripts is, naturally, much more difficult.
Both lines come in multiple sizes: generic with 8 pin plugs and wires, a 'micro' size with an 8 pin plug and wires, and the Select series has the "Direct' which is the Athearn/Atlas board form factor. The Micros are very small, little bigger than a dime. The Select Direct is, as far as I can tell from my one I have, essentially a Select Micro plugged in to an AT format carrier board.
On most decoder installs, I remove any factory board anyway, because who knows what sort of goofy wiring is there. For sound decoders this also frees up valuable space for the decoder or speaker, instead of planting a decoder on top of a factory circuit board.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
If you get a LokSound get a v4.0 Loksound. The v3.5 and earlier LokSounds used special speakers with very high resistence ratings. They were often hard to find, and were of poor sound quality.
Loksound has been highly reguarded for their BEMF at slow speeds. I think they borrowed the technology from Lenz. However their sound set is closer to European prototypes. So your selection of American sounds will be limited.
The capcitor is optional (like Randy said. I recommend it highly for short wheelbase locos (Anything less then 2-8-0, or tender not wired.) Sound decoders are VERY sensitive to power drop outs and that's why they use the capacitor.
If you are worried about size, these are 220uF 25V Tantalum solid caps which are 0.260"x0.142"x0.051" but you pay through the nose for this. ($10 each)
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Vishay-Sprague/597D227X9025M2T/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMsh%252b1woXyUXj8aG8aJscDZ8NtG0tx7AzfQ%3d
Like Randy, I prefer direct wiring as this saves quite a bit of space. But you have to know what kind of bulbs you have and use the appropriate resister.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Thanks for the help,Randy. I've been studying the ESU website trying to familiarize myself with the different versions, select direct , select micro etc. The micro has my interest as one of the Locos I want to add sound to is an old P2K SW-7/9. With a decoder no larger than the micro, this should leave room for a decent size speaker. My loco predates DCC ready, so hard wiring will be the method of installation. I've done a lot of detailing to this loco and its an excellent runner so I'm anxious to try this.
Another nice feature I noticed, if I read correctly is that LED's can be used without additional resistors on some of the versions. Lots to like with these decoders.
In diesels at least, they have loads of north american prototype sounds, Steam may be a little more limited but they have quite a few US steamers as well.
As for the LEDs - yes, if they say they have the resistors already, that's one less piece to try to cram in. There are two clues that the resistors are already there - first, it will say so, second it will also mention a place to short if using lamps, to bypass the resistor. Me, I like to follow the traces on the board to be sure. Usually the resistor will be near where a function connection is on the board. Never assume - it would be one thing if puttin on the LED with no resistor would only destroy the LED, but often when that happens it blows the function output on the decoder as well, not fun with $100+ decoder.
The Loksound selects are fantastic. I'm still working on my V4 for an athearn dash 9 although the V4 I have is an earlier run and I think the newer runs are better. Basically the v4 is a v4, but the select has a standard size, micro, and direct. the direct will be a drop in replacement board. The micro is the same as the select just smaller and i think you might lose two acc. functions.
I recently bought a Stewart VO-660 switcher sound chassis on heavy discount (55% off MSRP) at M.B. Klein, which was outfitted with a Loksound Select decoder. It's both a terrific sounding and running locomotive. I was even able to add in a homemade keep-alive module thanks to Loksound and Randy (rrinker). Couldn't be happier with the sound.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.