There are decoders made to (more or less) 'drop into' an Athearn 'blue box' diesel. They have copper strips that replace the ones on the original motor; when you remove those original copper strips be careful, they also hold the motor brush springs in place. Not difficult to do, they're not under a lot of pressure, but don't just pop them off, might want to put a clear plastic bag or something over the mechanism to contain the small spring in case it goes flying. I've never lost one, I just pop it off nice and slow and the spring stays put.
Hard wiring a decoder isn't hard if you can solder two wires together. I just bought 3 new Econami ECO-100 sound decoders for $63 each, plus $7 for a speaker and $6 for an enclosure. I haven't installed them yet (still detailing and painting the shells) but I'm sure the sound will be adequate (heck, any sound is better than no sound...it can always be upgraded later). Other decoders are probably better but for my project I just want some decent sound (and I wanted to try the new decoders) so I went the inexpensive route. I've had good results with my BLI, Atlas, Athearn Genesis and Walthers Proto2000 locos with factory installed sound. My only steam engine (an old brass loco) has a TCS wow-101 decoder and it sounds great...I haven't installed a Loksound yet...I'm not too impressed with a digitrax sound decoder, but that might be because of a poor speaker (I'm using the one supplied with the decoder...an SDXH166D or something like that).
Welcome to the wonderful world of DCC! You are correct to look for information, but I've found if I just jumped in and started a project, I would answer a lot of my questions as I go through the project and learn what to improve on for my next install.
Do a web search for installing dcc in a blue box loco and you will find tons of articles. Read them all (or at least a few of them) and get as many tips as possible to use on your install. Search YouTube for videos too, often it has good info too.
Your best bet is to talk to a club member, they will prob give you the best help...nothing beats face-to-face advice.
http://delray1967.shutterfly.com/pictures/5
SEMI Free-Mo@groups.io
Hi again William:
I am going to revise my advice about using a Digitrax DH165xx decoder in your Athearn engine. The DH165 does not come in a drop in version for Athearn engines. There is nothing to prevent you from using one but it would have to be hard wired in (which is the best way to do it anyhow).
You also need to do some research on installing decoders in Athearn engines. Some Athearn models require isolation of the motor wiring from the frame. I haven't done any Athearns so I cannot explain the details. I'm sure others can.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks for all the info! For everyone thats wondering I have an athearn roundhouse CP gp38-2 #7311
I am a prolific H0 scale hobbyist.
I'll second the LokSound Select suggestion; i.e., great sounds and great motor response. Note the Select comes in 3 forms, the Direct (original circuit board replacement), the 6Aux (with 8-pin plug plus extra wires for speakers and extra aux functions), and the Micro. They are currently $82, $89, $82, respectively at Tony's trains. I use the Aux6s a lot because they are relatively compact, and I remove the 8-pin connector and hardwire everything. The LokSound V4s are more expensive, have a few more sound files availalble and are preferred by folks who want to tinker with the sounds at a deeper level. The Selects are a great value.
Speakers don't ahve to be expensive additions. You can make custom speaker encolsures from 0.040" styrene sheet and include a couple of "sugarcube" speakers for about $2 each.
Here's an example of Selects with sugarcubes:
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
William:
You can ask Steven Otte to move the response(s) from your first thread in the General Discussion forum to this thread.
To contact him, go to the General Discussion forum. You will see Steven's picture beside the first post. Click on his picture and you will bring up his profile. In the upper right hand corner you will see "Start Conversation". Click on that and send him your request. He doesn't work weekends so the change won't be made until Monday.
Hi William.
I am going to assume that you are talking about HO scale.
If you want to install a decoder without sound for now and then add sound later, Digitrax has exactly what you want.
You would start with a DH165xx series decoder. The 'xx' represents the specific application. There are several different models depending on what locomotive they are going in. Scroll down a bit to the DH165 decoders:
http://www.digitrax.com/products/mobile-decoders/
If you can tell us exactly which locomotive you have and who made it we can tell you exactly which DH165 decoder to use. They retail for a little under $30.00 but can be had for less if you shop around.
When you want to add sound, Digitrax has a sound only decoder called a 'Soundbug' which is designed to work with the DH165 series decoders (and others).
http://www.digitrax.com/products/sound-decoders/sfx006/
They retail for about $53.00, so your total cost will be a little over $80.00.
You should be aware that you can get a great sound decoder from ESU (Loksound Select) for about the same amount. Loksound decoders are amongst the best out there. Their performance is amazing. Many modelers, myself included, won't use anything else for sound.
If you are going to go the Digitrax route make sure that the Digitrax DH165xx and the Soundbug will fit into your locomotive. You will need room for a speaker too but don't panic if the one supplied with the Soundbug won't fit. There are other options like 'sugar cube' speakers but I won't go into that here. Again, if you can tell us what locomotive you are working with we can offer more specific help.
If it were me, I would bite the bullet and go with the Loksound Select right from the start. You won't be disappointed, you won't have spent any more money, and you will have superior sound and motor control from the get go.
Your choice.
William, there isn't a standard for what the term "DCC ready" means, so it really depends on exactly which loco you're referring to.
However, having said that, most decoder manufacturers have some sort of chart or guide on their Web sites that indicate which decoders will fit which locos. That's a good place to start.
Here's the story: I just found out that there is a rr club in my area and as some of you might know I have a dc (analog) 4x8 layout with a dcc ready locomotive. I will be selling my layout soon and will switch to dcc on my new layout. (The club is dcc only.)
So my problem is I want a dcc decoder that won't eat a hole in my walet...
What is the best decoder for the price and has the option to upgrade to sound?
Thanks,
William
EDIT: Yes I am reffering to HO scale. The engine I have is an athearn CP gp38-2. (#7311 if that makes a difference.)
(I am reposting this in the right forum.)