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Loksound decoders

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  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 4:43 PM

 Or just get a regular V4 or Select, there's plenty of room, so you don't NEED to use a Micro. Cheaper that way, too.

               --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

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

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 4:40 PM

Nevin.

You will have to test your loco yourself. More than likely it will be fine but there is the risk of overloading if your not sure. What caused the original decoder to fail?

      Pete

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Nevada
  • 825 posts
Posted by NevinW on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 1:31 PM

Thanks to everyone for thier replies.  This has been very helpful.  One question before I order.  Will the micro have enough amps at 0.75 to drive a Bachmann HO 4-6-0?  Thanks again, Nevin

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 4:50 PM

Nevin.

 I have 4 Loksound Select decoders. The micro is as small as a dime and is fitted inside a brass 0-6-0 and only the speaker is in the tender. The Micro is only rated at .075 amp so you will have to make sure that the loco does not draw more than that. The steam locomotive collection sound set is what you may need for your ten wheeler. The sound set for the Select Micro is #73817. It does come with an 8 pin plug and 8 ohm  speaker. Traintech LLC allows me to swap different sized speakers if the costs are the same.

http://www.traintekllc.com/ESU-73800-LokSound-Select-Micro-Sound-Decoder/productinfo/ESU-73800/

  The Select Aux 6 is not very big and fits many places where there is little room. I have one in a Brass 2-6-0 very small tender with a medium oval speaker. I also use a sound chamber inside my tenders. It adds just a little more bass and takes the brass tin sound away some. I know most people just use the tender shell as a chamber and I have tried it both ways but the chamber does sound better to me.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j348/locoi1sa/F3c%202-6-0/SAM_0404.jpg

  All in all I am very happy with the Select decoders. Great sound and superior motor control for 30% less than a comparable Tsunami or Titan. I have a programmer so sound sets are not an issue. I usually get it blank and load it myself or Gary from Traintech will load the sound set if he is not too busy.

        Pete

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 4:41 PM

 I'd put the Select as more like the QSI Revolution and Titan, in that they take a preloaded sound set (you can't make up your own 'script' like you can with the V4 and older Loksounds) and those preloaded sounds have multiple sounds that you cna switch betwene by use of a CV. In the case of disel, multiple prime mover sounds, plus multiple horns and multiple bells. In the case of steam, different chuffs, whistles, and bells. Only yhe complete sound set can be changed out and loaded with a different one, using the Loksound Programmer (or having one fo the dealers do it for you - in fact make sure of that, because the Select comes pre-programmed with a simple sample sound project unless you have the dealer load on of the actual ones).

You always can use any brand of speaker - they key is getting ones with the right impedence. You can;t use an 8 ohm speaker on a decoder that takes 100 ohm, and if you use a 100 ohm speaker on a decoder that wants an 8 ohm, it will be all but inaudible. Suitable speakers for either Loksound range are all over, ESU themselves have a pretty wide assortment of sizes and shapes.

 Loksound decoders come in a couple of different formats and form factors, with and without harnesses.

               --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

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

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 1:04 PM

Nevin,

There are actually two new LokSound decoders: V4.0 and "Select".  The Select decoders are equivalent to Tsunamis in that they come with preloaded sounds to choose from.  The V4.0 decoders need to have the correct sound files installed.  Places like Tony's Train Exchange, Litchfield Station, and Ulrich Models can do this for you, if you purchase the decoder from them directly.

I have a VO-660 switcher with a Select decoder and it's quite nice.  The motor control is what you'd expect from LokSound and the sound - especially the "playable" horn - is very believable.

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
    January 2001
  • From: Nevada
  • 825 posts
Loksound decoders
Posted by NevinW on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 11:18 AM

I recently had a factory custom Soundtraxx sound decoder in a Bachmann 4-6-0 die on me.  After struggling with a couple of other decoders that either didn't work very well or wouldn't fit, I stuck an older ESU Loksound decoder with one of their own speakers in it and was very pleasantly surprised.  Performance and sound were quite good.

I understand the Loksound has a new sound decoder out that can use any brand or type of speakers.  Do the new ones come with the 8 pin harness attached?   Does the smaller one come with the 8 pin connector attached?  I need to stick it into a Bachmann re-wired Vanderbilt tender so it has to be small and with a 8 pin connector.  Do people like the new one better than the old version?  Any problems to be aware of?  -  Nevin

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