Sound in Athearn RTR

[Anonymous]

Has anyone out there had any experience with installing a Soundtraxx decoder in a new Athearn RTR deisel? Is there room for a speaker? I am considering the AC4400.

[mcouvillion]

PT Man,

I am installing a Soundtraxx DSD-150 (part # 825236) in an Athearn blue box C44-9W soon. I have built platforms in the shell to support the decoder in the rear of the carbody and the electronics for a video camera in the front. I have determined that a Mini-Oval speaker (0.56" x 1.0") and enclosure from Tony's Train Exchange will fit in the extreme "Vee" end of the carbody when mounted vertically under the radiator grill. The ends of the speaker enclosure will need to be filed down a little for a snug fit.

I built the platforms from 1x2 styrene strips and sheet styrene to clear all of the mechanism. I did not want any of the myriad wires or the decoder to rub on the flywheels or any other moving parts. I'm amazed at how much room there is in the carbody now that the void space is physically separated from the mechanical stuff.

I have not seen the difference in ready to run and the blue box kits. This is as close as I can come to answering your question.

Mark C.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mcouvillion

PT Man,

I am installing a Soundtraxx DSD-150 (part # 825236) in an Athearn blue box C44-9W soon. I have built platforms in the shell to support the decoder in the rear of the carbody and the electronics for a video camera in the front. I have determined that a Mini-Oval speaker (0.56" x 1.0") and enclosure from Tony's Train Exchange will fit in the extreme "Vee" end of the carbody when mounted vertically under the radiator grill. The ends of the speaker enclosure will need to be filed down a little for a snug fit.

I built the platforms from 1x2 styrene strips and sheet styrene to clear all of the mechanism. I did not want any of the myriad wires or the decoder to rub on the flywheels or any other moving parts. I'm amazed at how much room there is in the carbody now that the void space is physically separated from the mechanical stuff.

I have not seen the difference in ready to run and the blue box kits. This is as close as I can come to answering your question.

Mark C.

Where did you buy the DSD 150 from? I would like to get one but they've been out of production for a year as far as I know.

Thanks!

[mcouvillion]

Antonio,

Oops! I should have said that I INTEND to install a DSD-150 into my engine. According to the Soundtraxx website, that is the model that I need. I just haven't gotten it yet. Guess I get to wait for the replacement. Sorry. I did not intend to be misleading.

Mark C.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mcouvillion

Antonio,

Oops! I should have said that I INTEND to install a DSD-150 into my engine. According to the Soundtraxx website, that is the model that I need. I just haven't gotten it yet. Guess I get to wait for the replacement. Sorry. I did not intend to be misleading.

Mark C.

No problem, amigo. Many of us are still "patiently" waiting for the DSD-150's replacement, the Tsunami. It's too bad that Soundtraxx shutdown the production of the DSD 150 before making sure that the Tsunami would have hit production. But of course, the company is small so resources and money had to be redirected. Adding to the situation were the problems with some suppliers and the "infamous" QSI lawsuit.

10-4![;)]