Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

DCC Soundtraxx Speaker not Load

1001 views
7 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
DCC Soundtraxx Speaker not Load
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 20, 2003 11:41 AM
Hello,

I installed a DCC Soundtraxx Decoder with speaker in my Proto 1000 PRR C-Liner and put the speaker in the rear above the trucks in the metal frame. How do I make the sound come out of the Engine so it is louder?

Any suggestions please?
Thanks,
Greg
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Along the Murphy Branch
  • 1,410 posts
Posted by dave9999 on Thursday, October 23, 2003 10:44 PM
I' m not sure how you would do it to a deisel, but on my steam locos the speakers are installed in the tenders
and I drilled ALOT of little holes in the coal load with a #65 drill bit. I'm not saying to drill holes in your loco,
but I think the shell is acting as a muffler.Try Soundtraxx web site, they offer some installation ideas. Dave
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 24, 2003 9:04 PM
You didn't say but I'm assuming you didn't enclose the speaker in an sealed box. If you look in the directions that came with the soundtraxx mod there will be directions on how to enclose your speaker. Even a small enclosure will greatly increase the sound. I know with diesels theres a limited space, some people will put the speaker in a B-unit, this will give you the space for a good size enclosure and a good size speaker. Remember the bigger the speaker the better the sound. Also make sure you connect the + wire from the mod to the + side of the speaker. If you don't know which side is the + side there are directions on soundtraxx web site. Good luck!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 25, 2003 5:48 AM
Yes, I enclosed it in a specker enclosure. I might drill or cut a door hole in the rear or drill holes underneath to let some sound out.

Thanks,
Greg
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 8:37 PM
Greg, cutting a door or drilling holes would only defeat the purpose of the enclosure. Its suppose to be air tight. Did you check to see if the wires are connected right. Remember the + wire from the mod goes to the + side of the capacitor then from the - side of the capacitor to the + side of the speaker. If you don't know which terminal on the speaker is + use a single AA battery (1.5 volts). Connect the speaker to the battery and watch which way the cone moves. If the cone moves out , the wire from the + terminal on the battery is connected to the+ side of the speaker. If the cone moves in then the wire from the + side of the battery is connected to the - side of the speaker. Mark the + terminal on the speaker and reconnect to the mod. Are you useing a 8ohm speaker? Did you change your CV for volume. Let me know what happens.
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Along the Murphy Branch
  • 1,410 posts
Posted by dave9999 on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 10:14 PM
As long as the speaker itself is enclosed from the backside you will be fine. Have you tried increasing the
volume? Adjust CV 120 for horn volume, CV 121 for bell volume, and CV 122 for exhaust volume.
They come set from the factory at a value of 128. That's half volume. You can set the volumes up
to a value of 255. Dave
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 6:18 AM
Hello,

Where do I adjust the CV 120 for horn volume, CV 121 for bell volume, and CV 122 for exhaust volume. On the Digitrax Transformer mode on the program track? I can change decoder numbers, but never did anything else.

Thanks,
Greg[^]
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Along the Murphy Branch
  • 1,410 posts
Posted by dave9999 on Thursday, October 30, 2003 6:44 PM
Originally posted by Gregbva

Hello,

Where do I adjust the CV 120 for horn volume, CV 121 for bell volume, and CV 122 for exhaust volume. On the Digitrax Transformer mode on the program track? I can change decoder numbers, but never did anything else.

Thanks,
Greg[^]
[/quote

You should read your Zepher manual. Section 16 explains about programming the decoder.
If you haven't already downloaded the manual for your decoder from Soundtraxx, definitly
do it. It will explain each CV and their purpose. Let me know if this helps your problem. Dave

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!