SoundTraxx Tsunami/Econami/Tsunami 2 Comparison, Discussion, Explaination

[FJX2000]

Hey guys, 

Since it it really isn’t discussed in depth clearly anywhere I could find on the Internet, I wanted to just hop on here and talk about some of the Tsunami models over the years, the differences, and the applications. Feel free to add your thoughts about them or additional facts or stats. 

 

TSU-1000

 

This Tsunami decoder was the classic Tsunami for a number of years and though it was available in a standard TSU-1000 version to be used in steam or diesel applications, there were also board versions for different types of diesel models: TSU-AT1000, TSU-GN1000, TSU-KT1000, TSU-IM1000, and TSU-BW1000. The AMP maximum was suitable for most types or models as long as room allowed, but back with the TSU-1000 you had to select a specific decoder for the specific sound desired. whether you wanted a Medium Steam sounding chuff or an EMD-710 sounding engine just to name a couple. However all these decoders then allowed for the user to select from a list of bell/whistle/horn types. These were discontinued with the introduction of the Tsunami 2.

 

The stats for these decoders were as follows:

 

Motor Stall Current: 1 Amp Maximum

Function Current: 100mA (each output) 

Audio Amplifier: 1 Watt, 8 Ohm Load

Track Voltage: 27 Volts Maximum

 

 

TSU-750

 

The TSU-750, or Micro-Tsunami, as it was referred to as, was the answer to getting the same quality sound of a Tsunami decoder but for smaller models with more limited room. It had less of an AMP rating than the TSU-1000 but was suitable for N scale or small HO scale models.  It was similar to the TSU-1000 in that you had to select a specific decoder for the specific sound you wanted, and though it wasn’t offered in as many of the variations as the TSU-1000, it still had the most popular choices for steam and diesel sounds. This decoder was also discontinued with the introduction of the Tsunami 2. 

 

Here are the stats for these decoders:

 

Motor Stall Current: 0.75 Amp Maximum

Function Current: 100mA (each output) 

Audio Amplifier: 1 Watt, 8 Ohm Load

Track Voltage: 27 Volts Maximum

 

 

TSU-2200

 

The TSU-2200 is part of SoundTraxx’s new line of Tsunami 2 decoders, which are amazing as they can fit so much more information into a decoder that is even smaller than the TSU-1000. A big advancement in convenience of the Tsunami 2 is that instead of having to purchase a specific decoder for a specific type of locomotive, they have grouped together for example all the different steam types and sounds into the TSU-2200 Steam decoder or all of the General Electric diesel sounds into a single TSU-2200 GE Diesel decoder and so forth. Along with steam and GE Diesel decoders, they also have ALCO Diesel, EMD Diesel, Baldwin/Other Diesel, and Electric Locomotive decoders for the TSU-2200. It is worthy to note that since their original release they have added more sounds for the Steam and EMD decoders therefore creating the TSU-2200 Steam-2 and EMD-2 decoders. These decoders are also rated at 2 Amps for motor stall current making them more suitable for larger models than the TSU-1000. 

 

Here are the stats for this decoder: 

 

Motor Stall Current: 2 Amp Maximum

Function Current: 100mA (each output) 

Audio Amplifier: 2 Watt, 8 Ohm Load

Track Voltage: 27 Volts Maximum

Size: 35 x 18 x 6mm

 

 

TSU-1100

 

This decoder is essentially the Micro-Tsunami 2 seeing as it has all the same features and sounds as a TSU-2200 but in a smaller size. These decoders are offered in a similar fashion to the larger Tsunami 2s as they come in specific versions for Steam and the different makes of Diesels. They are however only rated to 1 amp of motor stall current so great for smaller models or where space is limited. 

 

These are the stats for this decoder:

 

Motor Stall Current: 1 Amp Maximum

Function Current: 100mA (each output) 

Audio Amplifier: 1 Watt, 8 Ohm Load

Track Voltage: 27 Volts Maximum

Size: 27 x 10.5 x 5mm

 

 

ECO-200 

 

The ECO-200 is what SoundTraxx calls the Econami, meaning it is a more economical version of a standard Tsunami decoder. This comes with its pros and cons. The pros are it was pretty small and able to fit where Tsunami decoders might struggle, and it was cheaper than a Tsunami being more friendly on the wallet. The cons being that it only had a limited range of the sounds and features of a normal Tsunami. Though it was sold in a similar way to the Tsunami 2 where they had a steam decoder with a range of different steam sounds or different diesel decoders with a range of diesel sounds, just not as extensive of options as the Tsunami. They however were discontinued in July of 2018.

 

Motor Stall Current: 2 Amp Maximum

Function Current: 100mA (each output) 

Audio Amplifier: 2 Watt, 8 Ohm Load

Track Voltage: 27 Volts Maximum

Size: 35 x 18 x 6mm

 

 

ECO-100

 

Along with the 2 amp version of the Econami came the 1 amp version known as the ECO-100. Identical in size to the TSU-1100, but again with the same pros and cons of the ECO-200 and offered in the same style with different decoders for different sounds like steam, UK-steam, diesel , and UK-diesel for example. This was likewise discontinued in July 2018. 

 

Here are the ECO-100 stats:

 

Motor Stall Current: 1 Amp Maximum

Function Current: 100mA (each output) 

Audio Amplifier: 1 Watt, 8 Ohm Load

Track Voltage: 27 Volts Maximum

Size: 30.5 x 10.5 x 5mm

 

 

TSU-21PNEM/ECO-21PNEM 

 

These Tsunami 2 and Econami decoders use the same style board and performance wise their stats are the same, but they have different features. The decoder board for either of these decoders is designed to easily plug into models equipped with an NEM-supported 21-pin socket. The TSU-21PNEM is offered similar to the other Tsunami 2 decoders with there being a Steam-2 version, models for different makes of diesels, and an electric locomotive version. The ECO-21PNEM is only offered in a steam and diesel version and therefore the sound options and features a limited as with the other Econamis. 

 

Motor Stall Current: 1 Amp Maximum

Function Current: 100mA (each output) 

Audio Amplifier: 2 Watt, 8 Ohm Load

Track Voltage: 27 Volts Maximum

Size: 35 x 15.5 x 6.5mm

 

 

TSU-PNP/ECO-PNP

 

Again, both the Tsunami 2 version or Econami version of this decoder are similar in design, size, and specs, but their features and sound options are slightly different. These decoders are a universal factory board replacement suitable for use in many manufacturer’s models such as those made by Atlas, Athearn, and InterMountain Models. These decoders however are only designed for diesel locomotives , the TSU-PNP being available for specific diesel makes as with other Tsunami 2s and the ECO-PNP only has a limited range of diesel sounds. 

 

Motor Stall Current: 2 Amp Maximum

Function Current: 100mA (each output) 

Audio Amplifier: 2 Watt, 8 Ohm Load

Track Voltage: 27 Volts Maximum

Size: 74 x 17 x 5mm

 

 

TSU-4400 

 

This Tsunami 2 decoder is a rather large one designed to even work on O or G scale models. It is rated for a motor stall current of 4 amps and is offered for all the same locomotive types as other Tsunami 2 decoders. 

 

Motor Stall Current: 4 Amp Maximum

Function Current: 400mA (each output) 

Audio Amplifier: 3 Watt, 8 Ohm Load

Track Voltage: 26 Volts Maximum

Size: 69 x 30.5 x 14mm

 

 

 

Of these I personally have experience with the TSU-1000, TSU-750, ECO-100, and TSU-2200. I think they are all great decoders and I just wish I had the funds to convert all my models to SoundTraxx decoders! Hopefully this is useful or helpful to you folks out there who may be trying to make sense of all the different model numbers or types of sound decoders offered from SoundTraxx.