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Digitrax SFX004 sound bug (HO scale)

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  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Ridgeville,South Carolina
  • 1,294 posts
Digitrax SFX004 sound bug (HO scale)
Posted by willy6 on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 8:53 AM

I bought the SFX004 a couple of years ago and decided to try it out this past weekend. It is compatable with the Digitrax DH165 series decoder. I installed a DH165L0 on a P2k SD60 and programmed it with JMRI. I went to install the soundbug and realized it can be installed 3 different ways. It's and 8 pin connector with no number 1 pin indicator. The manual said the 165 decoder should be marked for which side the soundbug goes and was not. I checked Digitrax and their picture was vague and the diagram didn't match my set up. I checked Google Images and found a picture that did not match Digitrax. I went with the picture. To make a long story short, I tried programming the soundbug and never got a response from the locomotive. I then tried all 3 possible ways the soundbug could be installed and got nothing. JMRI would "read" the program on the soundbug but would not "write" the program to the locomotive. I even tried to reset to address 03 and start over numerous times and nothing. The locomotive runs great but no sound.

Being old is when you didn't loose it, it's that you just can't remember where you put it.
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 9:01 AM

 The instruction sheet shows where pin 1 is. The picture here shows how it attached to various DH165 decoders: http://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB296/sfx004-installation-instructions/

The screws are important - the two terminals the screws go into are the power to the SOundbug.

                                             --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
    January 2003
  • From: Ridgeville,South Carolina
  • 1,294 posts
Posted by willy6 on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 9:46 AM

Thanks Randy, I must have missed the screws some how. I'm going to check when I get home today.

Being old is when you didn't loose it, it's that you just can't remember where you put it.
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Ridgeville,South Carolina
  • 1,294 posts
Posted by willy6 on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 1:43 PM

I don't have any screws. There was not any screws in the OEM decoder and only one screw that holds the 8 pin female connector for the mobile decoder. There isn't any screw hole either, I'm going to try to find a P2K parts diagram.Digitrax pictures do not match my loco at all.

Being old is when you didn't loose it, it's that you just can't remember where you put it.
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 2:55 PM

 There's only onw picture in the manual and it's of a different loco that uses a  DH165A0 board. It's the pictorial that shows how it attaches to a DH165L0.

The SOundbug came with two screws. You need those to attach it. Instruction sheet says thay are 2-56 x 1/4" 

                             --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
    January 2003
  • From: Ridgeville,South Carolina
  • 1,294 posts
Posted by willy6 on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 3:34 PM

My soundbug did not come with screws. I found some screws that worked. And I got both decoders installed and programmed. Took it to the layout and fired it up, had sound, lights and movement and 3 seconds later had sparks, fire, smoke and smell. Fried both decoders, re-installed OE mobile decoder and the locomotive ran, it didn't get toasted. I feel like Wylie Coyote after trying to get the Roadrunner. Back to the drawing board, I doubt Digitrax will warranty the smoked decoders.

Being old is when you didn't loose it, it's that you just can't remember where you put it.

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