I have never added sound to a locomotive before, so this will all be new to me.
I have a Bachmann Spectrum K4 that I bought several years back, DCC Ready, and added an NCE D13SRP decoder.
I am hoping that someone who has installed sound in this loco will give me some advice.
Which sound decoder is the first question? Is the Soundtraxx Tsunami TSU-750, medium steam a good choice?
The second question is how to pick and install a speaker and enclosure.
Is this a difficult install or pretty straight forward.
Do I need anything else besides the sound decoder, speaker, and enclosure?
I appreciate any advice that you can give me.
Rich
Alton Junction
A LokSound Select is smaller and has better motor control than a Tsunami, and it comes with a speaker and enclosure, and with the standard NMRA 8-pin plug. The only soldering that should be necessary would be attaching the speaker wires.
You may need to remove the LokSound speaker from its enclosure in order to squeeze it under the Bachmann weights in the tender, or you can use a different speaker with a thinner enclosure.
Rich.
Loksound is still working on the PRR sound set for Select decoders. If you get one get the heavy steam number 73414 sound set. It does not have the K4 whistle but there is one that is close. When the PRR sound set comes out anyone with a programmer can change it for you. They run circles around the Tsunamis. I have an early Tsunami in my Spectrum K4s and it is horrible. The loco jump starts then slows and crawls away. That jump drives me crazy. The sound is decent but not as good as the Select. I removed the weights and hard wired the decoder fitted with a medium oval speaker. I then covered the speaker with a box made from sheet lead and double stick taped the decoder to it. Don't forget the resistor for the headlight.
I talked with my DCC dealer over the weekend about the TCS WOW. He is highly recommending them. When I save up the rare hobby dollars I will be tearing out that Tsunami for the WOW.
Speaker fitted in mine. http://www.traintekllc.com/Medium-Oval-8-Ohm-Speaker/productinfo/SPKRMED/
Drill holes in the under frame just inside the diameter of the speaker. You don't really need an enclosure because the tender shell becomes one. The sheet lead cover added the necessary weight that was removed and gave a spot to stick the decoder. Scrap the Spectrum board and wire it to the existing harness to the loco.
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!
If you want to stick with Tsunami, you should go with the TSU-1000, The 750 is known for overheating issues, and a heat sink must be used to prevent this. I had the issue with one of my two (no heat sink) to remedy the problem I simple turned my sound down low. (as I do with all my sound decoders) After that I haven't experienced an over heating issue with it. If the 1000 would fit, go with it.
I always use TrainTek for my decoder items, he has a nice listing of everything you would need, and he (Gary) would help you with recommendations.
The WOW stuff is the latest WOW stuff, and has everyone saying WOW. I wont be removing a perfectly good Tsunami to install a WOW decoder, but if I have an engine large enough and need a sound decoder, I will look into a WOW.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Thanks, everyone.
It is beginning to seem that Tsunami is good, Loksound is better, and TCS WOW is best.
locoi1sa Drill holes in the under frame just inside the diameter of the speaker. You don't really need an enclosure because the tender shell becomes one. The sheet lead cover added the necessary weight that was removed and gave a spot to stick the decoder.
Drill holes in the under frame just inside the diameter of the speaker. You don't really need an enclosure because the tender shell becomes one. The sheet lead cover added the necessary weight that was removed and gave a spot to stick the decoder.
Pete, why do you need to drill holes in the tender frame?
For the speaker sound to come out the bottom, of the tender.
Cheers,
Frank
Uh oh Rich, you are a brave man. Just don't fry anything. LOL
Hey if successful, you will now by my DCC Sound installer guy?
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
I have done this on my son's HO scale K4 (the older style with pickups on the pilot and trailing trucks). The was fairly difficult. I had to separate the frame and isolate the motors and run wires to the tender. I also switched the tender so I can get all wheel pickup on the tender. I had a 1.1" speaker under the coal load.
locoi1sa Loksound is still working on the PRR sound set for Select decoders. If you get one get the heavy steam number 73414 sound set. It does not have the K4 whistle but there is one that is close. When the PRR sound set comes out anyone with a programmer can change it for you. They run circles around the Tsunamis. I have an early Tsunami in my Spectrum K4s and it is horrible. The loco jump starts then slows and crawls away. That jump drives me crazy. The sound is decent but not as good as the Select. I removed the weights and hard wired the decoder fitted with a medium oval speaker. I then covered the speaker with a box made from sheet lead and double stick taped the decoder to it. Don't forget the resistor for the headlight. Drill holes in the under frame just inside the diameter of the speaker. You don't really need an enclosure because the tender shell becomes one. The sheet lead cover added the necessary weight that was removed and gave a spot to stick the decoder. Scrap the Spectrum board and wire it to the existing harness to the loco.
Posts deleted. Let's keep it on-topic, please.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
I would go the route of the TCS WowSound decoders. Much better than ESU.
gatrhumpy I would go the route of the TCS WowSound decoders. Much better than ESU.