garyaAre you looking for a sound decoder, or just a motor decoder?
On the Bachmann forum the OP says he is looking for a speaker, too. I presume, therefore, he IS looking for a sound decoder.
Regards, Ed
CurtisPark I'm looking for recommendations for a decoder for a Bachmann "DCC Ready" Ho GG 1.
I'm looking for recommendations for a decoder for a Bachmann "DCC Ready" Ho GG 1.
Are you looking for a sound decoder, or just a motor decoder?
Gary
It's been 50 or so years since I last heard an operational GG1 - at Penn Station Newark and Elizabeth NJ. The main impressions I remember was a "rumble" as it approached the platform (with the vibration also coming up the legs) probably generated by the wheels and the sound of the traction motor blowers in the station, which increased as the train departed and accelerated. I don't remember the air compressor, steam generator or relays making sounds that could be heard from outside. So what you need is
1) A constant rumbling sound (not a diesel rumble) that cuts out when the loco is stopped
2) A whining sound that increases or decreases in volume with speed
3) Bell ringing on command
4) Horn BLAT on command (The GG1's horns were simple single bell affairs). Knowing the Pennsy, there had to be a model type and musical (?) note specified, but I don't have that information
Actually, this library of sounds would probably apply to almost all electrics (PRR, NH, VGN, N&W, MILW, GN, NYC and South Shore). About the only thing I could add, that could be turned on and off, would be air whistles instead of horns on the NH and on other lines' early electrics. The whistle or horn could be built in and selected from the same card.
Maybe one of the sound card manufacturers is missing something here.
BigDaddy I am a Loksound guy and they have a GG1 soundfile.
I've been "upgrading" some of my older BLI GG1s that have QSI decoders in them and the first one I did I installed a Loksound 5 DCC decoder in it and loaded the ESU GG1 project into it.
I really don't know where ESU found the various sounds they chose to apply to a GG1 but they sure didn't sound like anything I remember coming out of a GG1! Sounded more like a cross between the Starship Enterprise and an off-balance washing machine.
Soon afterward I pulled the Loksound 5 decoder out and replaced it with a Tsunami-2 Electric decoder. Much better .
I watched one amateurish Youtube video showing the 8 pin NMRA plug on the front board of the engine. If it were my choice I'd completely scrap the Bachmann board which has the motor choke coul and capacitors on it you'd want to eliminate anyway, and hardwire a Tsunami-2 in there. It looks like the DC versions came with a speaker housing?
https://www.trains.com/mrr/news-reviews/reviews/staff-reviews/bachmann-ho-scale-sound-value-gg1/
I don't know if Soundtraxx sells the "Sound Value" Bachmann decoder separately or if you have to buy it through Bachmann. It was an OEM board. That's another option.
Good Luck, Ed
The lower end base sound probably is in the file, just the stock speaker isn't worth the space it takes up. There are much better aftermarket speakers that have better sound balance and bring out low end better. Room for improvement mind you, but worlds better than the stock tin can speakers.
shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
I have one of Bachmann's early Sound Value GG-1 engines. It works fine after some CV games, but the prime mover sounds are basically non-existent. That doesn't bother me much, since it's a straight electric engine, and actually had a reputation of being a "Widow Maker" because it was so quiet that track crews didn't get much warning that a locomotive was on its way.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I would check directly with TCS since they're doing all of the latest runs of Bachmann engines that have sound value with TCS WOW sound decoders.
to the forum. Initial posts are moderated and the holiday delayed that.
I have no idea what plug a Bachmann has. I am a Loksound guy and they have a GG1 soundfile. They ought to have something that fits the Bachmann.
Soundtraxx made the Bachmann soundvalue decoder so they should have something as well. I don't see anything on the TCS website.
Soundvalue decoders are less than full feature decoders. FYI
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley