Hi folks,
I have two KATO SD40-2, I think they are the earlier generation and I had someone put a basic decoder in them years ago, Digitrax DH121. One of the decoders quit, and I cannot figure out the deal. I tried swapping out the decoder with another one I have by unplugging the harness, but it didn't help. The board may be fried, and I have no way to troubleshoot it.
Since I may have to replace the board anyway, I was wondering if I can put some sound in these units.
Here is a photo of what is currently in there.
I really like the Loksound decoders, and am wondering if there is one of theirs that I can put this KATO. While I'm at it, i may even want to add some ditch lights.
Anyone have any ideas?
Also, I do not have any kind of a mill to change the frame.
Thanks,
Tobes
Well, you can try a reset, but the DH121 has been replaced a couple of times over. The current version is the DH126.
If you want LokSound, you need to go to the ESU web site, and figure out what you need. From what I know, you can not do sound with a 2 function decoder.
There should not be any frame milling involved, just a board replacement.
Thats my advice, but there are many more people on here that can give you more detailed ESU advice.
Mike.
My You Tube
Was the second decoder you tried known to be a working decoder? I'm a little concerned that something could be burning up your decoders, if 2 have died. You don't want to kill a 3rd.
To give you an idea of what an installation looks like, look at the wow sound page
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Kato/EMD%20SD40-2%20WK%20Version%202/EMD%20SD40-2%20WK%20Version%202.html
They have 2 other Kato conversions, if you don't think that is the one you have. They mention removing weight in the shell to gain space.
Most of us would remove the circuit board and replace it with a loksound direct select. There are sugar cube speakers that are literally smaller than the sugar cubes I remember from 30 years ago. It looks like it might fit in the cab area or where the current decoder is, if there is space freed up in the shell.
I have no experience adding ditch lights but the select can has the functions to do that.
Be sure to order the decoder with the sound of your engine. The dealer might be the one loading the sound on to the decoder, we discussed this in another thread as to whether it was the factory or the dealer installation. You do not want the one with generic sound that is meant for people who load their own sounds.
Everyone is going to tell you to change the bulbs to LED's. I think people use surface mount led's for the ditch lights. Someone will be along shortly with an opinion on that.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
That board looks fried to me, there are what look like little puddles of black goo near what appear to be inductors, and they are all black as well.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
When I blow up the picture taken from the engineers side, I don't see anything fried. I see the twisted black wire for the lights, and I see the two black screw heads, but maybe I'm missing something.
But anyway, with a LokSound, the board will go, just have to unwire the old hardwired decoder, install the ESU board, and go from there.
I have trouble finding things on the ESU web site. I guess I need it easy, like Digitrax, drop-down menus, select what you have, and a list of decoders comes up. I don't see anything like that at ESU, but I digress.
EDIT: I just looked at Henry's link. Seems straight forward enough.
Test the decoders by installing them in a known operating locomotive. Don't try any more decoders in the problem locomotive until you verify the locomotive isn't a decoder killer. If you know that the status of the decoders, that knowledge will take you to the next troubleshooting step.
Lee
Thank you everyone for the replies. I'm definitely going to replace the board.The Wow sounds install looks like I can handle it, but I'm curious about the Loksound direct select. Does that board have different versions so I can get the correct sound? I've got to get the whole thing figured out so I can order all the parts I need. I've heard of the sugar cube speakers being a good choice. Do I also need to order an enclosure for them?
So many questions.
When you order a Loksound board you tell the dealer what sound file you want loaded in it. All the 'name' dealers you see mentioned here will do this for you.
Speakers need an enclosure. Some speakers come with one, but most are a seperate item - because you can get enclosures to fit a given speaker in many shapes and sizes to fit different locos. It's the volume of the enclosure that matters, so in some locos a long, thin one might fit while in another loco you need a short, deep one. Fitting the enclosure is a matter of measureing available space, unless you come across someone else's install in the exact same loco and can go by what size they used.
This one has it's own enclosure
https://www.litchfieldstation.com/product/sugar-cube-9-x-16mm-x-11-2mm-8-ohm-1-watt-speaker/
Tony's Trains has a drop down menu with engine types for the loksound.
https://tonystrains.com/product/esu-73700-loksound-select-direct-sound-decoder/