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Sound Decoder in Atlas U23B

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  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Jacksonville FL
  • 127 posts
Sound Decoder in Atlas U23B
Posted by jbu50 on Monday, April 1, 2013 7:03 AM

Anyone ever tried to install the Digitrax SDH164D, http://www.digitrax.com/products/sound-decoders/sdh164d/  into an Atlas U23B? It appears the speaker that comes with it, is a little too large. Its 28mm wide. Wondering if anyone else has tried this and had a solution. I am thinking I will need to purchase a smaller speaker.

John

John

The Dames Point Industrial Railroad

http:\\dpirr.blogspot.com

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Monday, April 1, 2013 7:49 AM

The 28mm speaker seems to be a universal size inclusion in a lot of decoders. There is nothing to keep you from buying a different size speaker. I have amassed quite a collection of included speakers that I have substituted with a different size. Fitting speakers and all the electronics into narrow hood diesels can be challenging. I have seen an ALCO RS3 with a speaker nestled into the cab roof in a custom built enclosure. It had decent sound for a growler.

            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
    April 2005
  • From: Jacksonville FL
  • 127 posts
Posted by jbu50 on Monday, April 1, 2013 8:00 AM

Another question. The speaker for the decoder is 32ohm. I found a smaller rectangular speaker with enclosure that looks like it would fit inside the cab but its only rated 8 ohms. Does that mean it would burn out the first time it was turned on?

John

The Dames Point Industrial Railroad

http:\\dpirr.blogspot.com

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Monday, April 1, 2013 9:13 AM

Yes and no. You may just end up with distorted sound. You really should find a speaker with the same resistance specification if your dead set with using the cheap sound bug decoders. Other than that you may look to a different brand of decoder such as Loksound Select or Soundtraxx Tsunami. They use standard 4 to 8 ohm speakers. 

        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: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 7:30 PM

8 ohm speakers will work just fine, just do not over-drive them.  I jave a mino oval speaker I got from All Electronics that looks identical to a TDS speaker, but at about 1/3rd the cost.  Go look around at places like All Electronics or Mouser - You will find most of the same speakers that DCC dealers sell for a lot less!

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 6:11 AM

8 ohms will NOT work with that decoder. Join the Digitraxsound Yahoo group if you are playing around with these decoders. There are a bunch of FAR improved sound sets for them available, although some of those better efforts are now showing up in the Sound Depot as well. Multiple cases of blown amplifiers using 8 ohm speakers, they can't take it. Only the Soundbug (which comes with an 8 ohm) can truly handle an 8 ohm speaker.

           --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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