Brent,
I put a decoder into a Life-like PK2 SW1200 a couple of years ago. I used a NCE decoder made for that loco but it was motion only. I thought of going sound but there was no room for the speaker unless I was willing to hack up the cab. Also note that there wasn't a pin plug for the decoder so other ones would require a hard wire. Not sure if the connections would be different for a Walther PK2 unit. I have a Walthers SW1200 that has sound and the speaker is located under the fuel tank. It is an early version as it has a QSI decoder. It still works fine and is 12 years old. By the way the life-like engine was purchased from Central Hobbies in Vancouver. They had it on the shelf for a very long time. I had to completely re-lube it as the grease was like tar. The price was good though.
CN Charlie
The 21 pin connector is fast becoming the new standard as more manufacturers do what Rapido is doing and fitting more lighting features. Used to be, we were happy that there was actually a working headlight and not just a jewel up there. Now we have the headlight, the backup light, ditch lights on modern locos, gyralights and mars lights, rooftop beacons, cab lights, number board lights, class lights, step lights.. For locos with older factory boards, you can replace them with boards that have 21 pin connectors for the decoder, and they also have additional terminals on the board for the extra light wires to connect to.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks, Randy, just as I thought, more functions. My Royal Hudsons can really sing and dance so I am guessing they have the 21 pin version.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
13 pins?
It's just a different type of connector. An 8 pin decoder only has connections for the motor, track, and 2 functions. Any additional functions usually require soldering to the decoder. A 21 pin decoder allows for lots of cuntion outputs. Rapido locos tend to have independent number boards, class lights, and even step lights, in addition to the headlights. They are all wired to a circuit board which the 21 pin decoder plugs in to. You can get 21 pin boards from TCS and som others that install in the loco, all wires, the track pickups, the motor, all the lights, the speaker, get connected to this, and a 21 pin decoder just plugs in to it.
Thanks for all the help guys, I have discovered that the Rapido decoders do indeed have their own recordings on them and from some other inquiries I have made will be closer to the Loco I have.
Now, what is the difference between an 8 pin and a 21 pin?
I have written Rapido twice and they have not answered my questions which is unusual as they have always been prompt in the past. Too much Eggnog maybe.
rrinker...So if they have something specific in their sound project that is not in one of the Loksound ones, you'd have to buy the Rapido version....
I'd guess that since Rapido recently offered their SW1200RS with sound, their decoder for that locomotive should not only fit into your SW1200, but also be correct sound-wise.The differences between the SW1200 and the SW1200RS are mainly in appearance, with the latter having Flexicoil trucks, a different fuel tank, and optional number boards and lighting options. I'm not sure, but I think that the real ones may have had different gearing, too, as the RS is for Road Switcher.
Here's a LINK to contact Rapido, either by e-mail or by 'phone (note the time for the latter).
While my layout is set in the steam era, the SW1200RS locos are my favourite product of all the offerings from GMD/EMD.
Wayne
Rapido does do a lot of their own custom sound recordings. They are not available to download from Loksound. So if they have something specific in their sound project that is not in one of the Loksound ones, you'd have to buy the Rapido version. Otherwise, you can probably get the decoder cheaper elsewhere, using one of the stock ESU sound projects.
I can't say if it fits on not, nor do I know if Rapido records their own sound on this loco. I think there are some that they do. ESU does not sell directly to the public.
I've had good experiences with Tony's Trains and Lichtfield Station. I've not heard anything bad about Streamedline Backshop and Yankee Dabler. Unless you want to commit to buying a Lokprogrammer, you need to specify in which engine you are installing the decoder. That is not always obvious at the various websites
The SW1 had a 6 cylinder EMD 567. This is a screen shot from Tony's, the choice highlighted in blue, looks like the 6 cylinder version. The other choices are various EMD engines
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Thanks, Stix.
So would the Rapido recorded sounds be different than what Loksound offers on their version off their site? Also what about a Loksound 5 micro, with the small space in an SW it would be easier to get it in? If you order direct from Loksound do you just specify what locomotive sounds you want?
Thanks.
Rapido doesn't make the decoders, they just supply the sounds (usually recorded from existing restored diesel locomotives) to ESU, who loads the sounds on their Loksound decoders. Appears this one is a "Loksound Select" decoder.
http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-select/
Does anyone know the dimensions of this decoder?
https://rapidotrains.com/products/ho-scale/esu-loksound-8-pin-decoder
I wrote Rapido and have not had a response. I want it for a Proto SW1200 and want to make sure it will fit before I buy it. Most decoder manufactures put the dimensions in the listing.
I am thinking of buying the Rapido SW and thought I would put the same decoder in the Proto one as it needs one. Thanks.