I have an Athearn RTR GP 38-2 that i want to install a Tsunami sound board and a speaker. Can anyone post a photo of a similar install and show me how they handled the speaker mounting in it?
Also and the same with any blue box locos they have installed a speaker enclosure in?
Thanks,
Corey
Thanks!
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Under below link you will find many useful examples of decoder/speaker installation in steam/diesel locomotives. Also, this site offers a lot about installation of sound decoders, speakers, Tsunami CV setting and optimizing etc.
http://www.mrdccu.com/install/
Hope this helps a little.
Hi Corey
Ditto to 38-2 chip fit, it is narrow. I also find the running gear on some Athern's are a bit noisy and need a good run-in and work before I DCC them, I gave up on one Trainmaster it drowned the speaker out. Later prodution ain't to bad.
Be in touch.
pick.
Corey, check what amp's the motor pulls first. RTR engines quality control is not good. I have 3 that need's new motors that have ate decoders is the past.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Oh crap on the fit. I know that these are not the best units but it's an Iowa Interstate model and they are few and far between. Anyone know of a Digitrax or other that will fit?
A new LokSound Micro should fit okay, but the motor current draw on this is less than 1 Amp according to the advertisement I read.
http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-micro-v35/
There is also a Micro Tsunami, but it, too, has less motor current capability, so performing a motor current draw test would be critical before using one of these two decoders.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/tsunami/750.php
I believe both of these mini decoders are rated at only .75 Amp motor current.
This GP38-2 was probably made in 2006. This was my first sound decoder install and, like you, wasn't sure where to fit everything. I took 2 pics of the loco, one with the shell on and one with the shell off. I overlaid the pics and used a transparency of the shell, hoping to get an x-ray view so I could layout the decoder, capacitor and speaker. Here's what it looks like......
With this, I installed a Soundtraxx TSU-1000 in the rear and a Railmaster Hobbies Speaker (14mmx36mm) with enclosure in the cab. Like others have said, the decoder is just a little wider than the shell, so I installed it (slightly tilted) as high as I could on the top part of the shell with 2 sided tape. I wanted it as far away from the motor (heat source) and moving parts as possible. The speaker is also held in place with 2 sided tape on the top part of the cab, facing down so the sound travels out through the front trucks. The capacitor is also held in place with 2 sided tape so it doesn't fall down and bind the rear flywheel or the movement of the rear truck. Here's what the final install looks like.....
A TSU-GN1000 may be a little thinner, but I think the width is the same. This speaker is not bass and although the sound is OK, I wanted better. I have since switched to a narrow bass reflex speaker (18mmx53mm) for better sound. The 2 sided tape on the bottom of the speaker also holds in place the LED light for the front. By mounting the speaker over the light, it helps channel the light through the headlight area, thus reducing the "campfire in the cab" effect.
Good Luck!!
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Awesome., thank you so much for the photos. That is great. I also have a Genisis motor that i bought and it will swap out with the the current motor. It has the hex drive already in it and the screw mounts instead of the rubber plug mounts should match up as well.
Thanks again for your photos!
Here are the photos. Note that speaker is pretty tall and thick. It gets wedged about halfway up the side. It’s 3/4 at the top and bottom edge but in the middle it is wider at that point. the shell is a little less than 3/4 wide... I had to sand down the sides of the speaker but it still gets wedged up in there so that speaker wont work.
Hi Corey,
I surjest you get rid of pickup strip and hard wire it, hang on to brush clip. that gives you room for a Tsunami Micro over the motor. A QSI Small oval speaker and enclosure that will tack with double sided tape into the same place (under fans) as that shown, you'll need a pair of micro plug & sockets, it'll clear flywheel and truck tower and is as good as the one you show, but thinner and a lott shorter. Did a GP9 that way, worked ok.
Thank you John for the help, much appreciated.
You can clip off most of the truck tabs as well and solder the wire on to the side for more room over the truck as well.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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Good idea Randy! Thanks!
I have a Tsunami AT 1000 for an Atlas Alco... this one fits just right in the shell and if i build a shelf out of plastic. or it will also fit up in the shell as well. it should be fine and no reason to go with the micro one at this point. I have a motor that i bought from a Genesis GP 15 and i will be installing it.. it will just even swap as the mount is the same and it already uses the same spline and hex drive... forgot i had that motor. With a small oval speaker it should be a nice locomotive when i get it done. Wish me luck and thanks for everyones help here, I appreciate it !!!