Thank you all for the additional information.
Actually I do have several Atlas RS-3's, thus I may have a go at it when I get a bit more experience and courage. Since the non-sound decoder sounds like a place to start in that one, can think about adding a sound decoder later if I am successful with the others. I may try a steam loco first, as I understand they are a little easier with the available space in the tender.
Now to add soldering pratice to my list of things to do. Slow progress on getting new room ready and a few glitches on the present layout keep my hobby time busy. Good thing the there's a TV in the workshop/layout room, so I can catch a little football and do modeling stuff at the same time. Routine daily stuff and two more predicted snow storms keep me from adding to modeling time at the moment.
Thands again for all the suggestions.
Have fun,
Richard
Loksound Select Direct fits nicely in the Athearn. Direct replacement of the factory board. It's getting space for a good speaker that is the issue.
I tried one of the MRC decoders. ICK. Muddled sounds that don't sound much like an Alco motor, plenty of horn choices that sound mostly the same AND they can't tell you which value in the horn selection CV is what kind of horn - direct response from tech support when I emailed them, they didn't keep track. Part of the sound quality issue I'm sure is the teeny tiny speaker they have mounted right on the circuit board, with very little enclosure. Sure it drops right in, but I'd rather no sound than bad sound. The Loksound Select will be going in there, then I'll have something.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Your best bet is probably to get a light-board "drop-in" replacement sound decoder. That way, the decoder takes up no more space than the light-board, and you just need to fit in a speaker. In a narrow-bodied diesel, a 1/2" by 1" oval speaker and enclosure is usually as big as you can fit, unless it comes with a built-in speaker enclosure under fuel tank.
zstripe What about the benefit of others who would be interested in a Atlas install and now they don't need to start a new thread for same? The link works, maybe someone can use it. Frank
What about the benefit of others who would be interested in a Atlas install and now they don't need to start a new thread for same? The link works, maybe someone can use it.
Frank
Hmm, now that is very interesting, Frank.
You wouldn't happen to have a link to a sound decoder install on a Bachmann RS3, would you?
Rich
Alton Junction
zstripe zstripe Richard, It's my understanding from reading posts on other Forums,that it is harder to install a dual mode decoder w/sound in a Athearn, than a Atlas RS3. If you would like to look at a Atlas RS3 Soundtraxx sound install take a look: http://www.soundtraxx.com/documents/appnotes/Atlas%20RS3.pdf Frank Rich, I said if he wanted to take a look at it. That would be his choice, if he wanted to or not. Frank
zstripe Richard, It's my understanding from reading posts on other Forums,that it is harder to install a dual mode decoder w/sound in a Athearn, than a Atlas RS3. If you would like to look at a Atlas RS3 Soundtraxx sound install take a look: http://www.soundtraxx.com/documents/appnotes/Atlas%20RS3.pdf Frank
Richard,
It's my understanding from reading posts on other Forums,that it is harder to install a dual mode decoder w/sound in a Athearn, than a Atlas RS3. If you would like to look at a Atlas RS3 Soundtraxx sound install take a look:
http://www.soundtraxx.com/documents/appnotes/Atlas%20RS3.pdf
Rich,
I said if he wanted to take a look at it.
That would be his choice, if he wanted to or not.
Frank, I mentioned that link for the benefit of others including myself who are interested in this topic.
It does not relate at all to the installation of a sound decoder in an Athearn RS3, so it just confuses the issue.
I installed 2 Tsunamis in mine. I used a 1/2" speaker with an enclosure on one end of the shasis.I also replaced the bulbs with an led on each end. I used fiber optics to replace the bulbs. MRC does make a drop in decoder for this loco. My friend bought me one for my birthday. I replaced it with the Tsunami as you can't mute the sound and run the loco. The sound in it was OK. If you want to try one, I'll be glad to send you mine for free as it is collecting dust. The MRC usues the bulbs that Athearn uses. Joe.
That Soundtraxx tutorial isn't going to do him much good since he has an Athearn, not an Atlas.
I have two Athearn RS3 diesels, and there is plenty of room for a sound install.
MRC makes a drop in sound decoder specifically for the Athearn RS3 if you can live with the infamous MRC quality of sound. Actually, it doesnt sound that bad in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SSDCVXScWE
Very few locos come with space for the speaker already provided. I suspect that will change. Atlas Silver series locos in HO, which are the non-sound versions of the Gold series, generally have the speaker mounts in place, with extra weights in them. Remove weights, insert speakers, plug in decoder. The latest MR has an ad from Athearn for a new RTR SD45 that will have the speaker mount already in place. Not much else. Bigger engines are often easier, because they don;t need to fill up all available space with weight for best pulling power, but that's just in general, not guaranteed to be true.
Thank you Randy. I'll see when I can get such a critter. Will also go for the plug in only for now. Was hoping that it was just a different decoder to plug in and mount the speaker. Live and learn.
Thanks again,
I used a TCS T1, it just plugs in place of the 'dummy' plug ont he set of wires sticking up off the board. Grasp all the wires, and carefully pull off the little circuit board with the diodes on it - it takes some force, work carefully. Then plug the decoder in. You are done - decoder installed.
Almost every decoder ont he market today is 'dual mode' and will run on DC.
Sound is more complicated. I have a Loksound Select Direct to go in one of mine, it completely replaces the factory board. Fitting a speaker and enclosure is the tough part, to get the best sound you will have to cut away part of the weight to make room for the larger size speaker and enclosure. You can put a smalle speaker and enclosure in the cab space, but it won;t sound as good.
If you haven't installed decoders before - don't start with a sound decoder. Do some motor-only decoders first
This Santa just bought himself an Athearn RS-3 with the quick plug installed. This will be my first attempt at decoder installation. I'd like to install a sound decoder, which I realize means putting a speaker in also.
1. Is there a tutorial somewhere that I can follow to accomplish this?
2. What decoder is recommended for this loco. I'd prefer a dual mode decoder, as there is a chance I would operate it on a DC layout on occasion. However, if that increases the cost or complexity of installation much, I'll pass.
3. Also, need to know what speaker to get that will fit most easily and produce good sound.
Any other suggestions greatly appreciated. (I've already told myself it would have been better to have purchased one with the sound already on board, but haven't seen one lately.)
Thank you,