Just looking for some feedback on any recommendations on sound decoders for HO scale Kato SD40-2. I have two engines in the newer version with the operational ditch lights. I have heard not so good things about MRC board replacement sound decoder. Digitrax has a board replacement deocder but you have to add sound. I'm not sure how easy that is. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
By "the newer version with the operational ditch lights" you mean the SD40-2 Mid-Production, right?
I have a pair of those and installed the Digitrax DH165K1A decoder and SFX004 "Soundbug" combination. It's an easy install, easier than some non-sound installs I've done.
The SFX004 attaches directly to the underside of the DH165K1A, and the whole assembly drops right in to replace the stock Kato light board You remove the fuel tank and one side of the side sill (very easily done) to install the speaker and route it's wires. A small bit of double-sided tape attaches the capacitor to the rear end of the weight (above the drive shaft) and you're done.
The only "problem" is that the SFX004 comes pre-loaded with a steam and an SD38-2 sound scheme. The correct SD40-2 scheme is available from Digitrax, but loading it into the SFX004 requires either a PR2 or PR3 (I have a PR3). If you don't have access to either of those, perhaps your DCC dealer could load the SD40-2 scheme for you.
HTH,
Steve
How good is the sound on an SFX004? I'm thinking about using it in the new Kato C44-9W thatI picked up.
davidmbedard I find the soundbugs to be very quiet.... David B
I find the soundbugs to be very quiet....
David B
I suppose it depends on the speaker size and location, and maybe the particular sound that you have downloaded. And of course you have to have a Digitrax PR2 or PR3 to download different sounds. I've got 6 Soundbugs and none are too quiet. But I like my sound on the quiet side, otherwise it can become a bit annoying. I do have a Digitrax SFX0416 in conjuction with the Atlas furnished decoder in an Atlas Master H-15/16-44. Now this one is definitely too quiet and I haven't figured out how to make it better.
I've never heard a Quantum Revolution-A, Tsunami or Loksound and it may be that their sound is much superior to Digitrax?? I do have a Loksound that I haven't yet installed so it will be interesting to test it. Maybe I'll try in in the H-15/16-44?
The Digitrax sound is fairly economical compared to the others, and I really like their HO scale 165 series decoders with the Soundbug attached. No need for resistors for front and rear LED headlights. And, you can fit these into a lot of different locos. I've even got one in an Athearn RS3, although it was a very tight fit.
Jerry
Rio Grande vs. Santa Fe.....the battle is over but the glory remains!
There are some limitations to the Soundbugs, which is why they are relatively inexpensive. They only have 8 bit sound, vs 16 bit in the others. And they can only play 3 sounds at once. That may or may not be an issue for some people. It's a bigger deal with steam sound because there's usually more happening all at the same time. If I can har the diesel engine, have the bell ringing, and sound the horn for a crossing, it's probably ok. But you wouldn't be able to have the engine sound, dynamics on, bell ringing, and blow the horn. Loksound, Soundtraxx, and QSI can play more, Loksound is 4 simultaneous sounds and I think QSI and Soundtraxx are more.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Hello everyone. I'm in the process of deciding which sound decoder to install into my AC4400's (HO). I think I've settled on the QSI Revolution. However, I keep seeing recommendations to use an oval speaker instead of a round one, but I can't seem to find a reference to an appropriate size. The Kato website does not list dimensions of the speaker well. I know the recommended diameter for a circular speaker is 1.1in (28mm), but no references to the length of the well so I can size the oval speaker. Any suggestions on the best oval speaker?
Also, is an enclosure needed with the Kato unit?
Thanks.
-Tom
tsasalaHello everyone. I'm in the process of deciding which sound decoder to install into my AC4400's (HO). I think I've settled on the QSI Revolution. However, I keep seeing recommendations to use an oval speaker instead of a round one, but I can't seem to find a reference to an appropriate size. The Kato website does not list dimensions of the speaker well. I know the recommended diameter for a circular speaker is 1.1in (28mm), but no references to the length of the well so I can size the oval speaker. Any suggestions on the best oval speaker?Also, is an enclosure needed with the Kato unit?Thanks.-Tom
Tom,
I don't have any Kato AC4400's, bit if they're like my Kato SD38-2's and SD40-2 Mid's, they have the 1.1 inch enclosure already provided in the tank weight. It's been a while since I've done my installs, but I seem to recall that the weight goes right up to the edges of that enclosure. In other words, no room for an oval speaker in that location without milling the weight.
Hopefully someone who has installed an oval speaker (elsewhere) in the AC4400 will chime in with where/how they fit it in.
Thanks Steve. I just took the tank apart and the enclosure is round and there doesn't appear to be an easy way to replace it. No worries - round is fine with me. Any experience if the 1.1" speaker will fit? I think Kato recommends 1" instead. Not sure it matters, but bigger is better, right
davidmbedard Speakers in the fuel tank are nothing but trouble.David B
Speakers in the fuel tank are nothing but trouble.
David - can you elborate?
tsasalaThanks Steve. I just took the tank apart and the enclosure is round and there doesn't appear to be an easy way to replace it. No worries - round is fine with me. Any experience if the 1.1" speaker will fit? I think Kato recommends 1" instead. Not sure it matters, but bigger is better, right davidmbedard Speakers in the fuel tank are nothing but trouble.David B David - can you elborate?
The 1.1 inch speakers that came with my SFX004's fit right into the enclosures on the SD40-2 Mids. They were a nice and secure press fit. Just be sure you press around the edges on the frame of the speaker, and not on the speaker cone itself.
Also, what David says about tank-mounted speakers picking up magnetic junk can be true, but I have not found it to be a problem. Maybe I'm just anal about keeping my right-of-way junk free, and not setting my locos down in piles of iron filings...
Anyway, if it does pick up some junk, on the Kato's at least it's not a big deal to separate the tank halves and gently remove the debris. And it's a good indication you should drag the magnet car around the layout more often.
Thanks for all the great information Steve. I'll be getting some QSI revolution sound decoders on Monday, so I'll let everyone now how it goes.
If you were to have purchased the Kato Kobo version of this engine, it would have a Digitrax SoundFX decoder in it, because Digitrax supposedly developed the SoundFX decoder specifically for Kato models at Kato's request. Check the Digitrax SoundFX web site and they probably list this model as one that the decoder was made to fit into.
Thanks for all the feedback. I ended up installing the Digitrax DH165K!A decoder with the Sound Bug add on. The decoder replaces the kato board and was a breeze to install. I also think the lighting is better with the new board. The sound on the sound bug SFX004 is loaded with SD38-2 sounds. Which I still need to update to SD40-2. I think the sound is decent. I have an atlas gold MP15DC which has the qsi sound. I think that has more crisp sounds. The digitrax sounds are much quiter. I have not tried turning it up but I need to do that. My other engines which are all set at about 50% or less on volume drown out the digitrax sound.
I figure after doing some further research I may have gotten better quality the tsunami or loksound stuff but none of their products where designed specifically for this model as was the DH165K1A decoder and speaker. The total installation took less than 10 minutes and that included programming the address, lights, etc. I spent more time trying to get the shell off than I did putting in the decoder.
I have a Kato SDD38-2 and installed the digitrax soundbug. The only issue I have is the sound of the horn. Sounds really poor, like a sheep bleating. Nothing compared to the QSI's and even the Blueline I have. I guess I'll have to download the SD40 sound, but have no PR to do it. All the other sounds seem to be pretty good. But that horn...sheesh!
Hi
I have been using the MRC decoders and actually have one in a SD 40 (i think it was an MRC 1802). It works well just lower the volume a little. In fact compared to QSI it is far better. I think you will be happy with it.
davidmbedard A speaker is primarily a Magnet. A Magnet in the fuel tank will pick up an metal filings and bits found on the track. Metal filings and bits on the cone of the speaker means distortion. Distortion means a not-so-happy model railroader. David B
A speaker is primarily a Magnet. A Magnet in the fuel tank will pick up an metal filings and bits found on the track. Metal filings and bits on the cone of the speaker means distortion. Distortion means a not-so-happy model railroader.
Yes, sometimes - but very rare - I can recognize this. The speaker in my 44-ton is just at the bottom between the trucks. With a soft brush I can remove the metal filings if there're any..
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de my videos my blog
Stevert By "the newer version with the operational ditch lights" you mean the SD40-2 Mid-Production, right? I have a pair of those and installed the Digitrax DH165K1A decoder and SFX004 "Soundbug" combination. It's an easy install, easier than some non-sound installs I've done. The SFX004 attaches directly to the underside of the DH165K1A, and the whole assembly drops right in to replace the stock Kato light board You remove the fuel tank and one side of the side sill (very easily done) to install the speaker and route it's wires. A small bit of double-sided tape attaches the capacitor to the rear end of the weight (above the drive shaft) and you're done. The only "problem" is that the SFX004 comes pre-loaded with a steam and an SD38-2 sound scheme. The correct SD40-2 scheme is available from Digitrax, but loading it into the SFX004 requires either a PR2 or PR3 (I have a PR3). If you don't have access to either of those, perhaps your DCC dealer could load the SD40-2 scheme for you. HTH, Steve
I am working on this very configuration but can't seem to figure out the trick to remove the fuel tank for the speaker mounting. I am hesitant not to break anything. Everything else looks straightforward. I've got the PR3 to install the SD40-2 sound file.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
jbinkley60 Stevert By "the newer version with the operational ditch lights" you mean the SD40-2 Mid-Production, right? I have a pair of those and installed the Digitrax DH165K1A decoder and SFX004 "Soundbug" combination. It's an easy install, easier than some non-sound installs I've done. The SFX004 attaches directly to the underside of the DH165K1A, and the whole assembly drops right in to replace the stock Kato light board You remove the fuel tank and one side of the side sill (very easily done) to install the speaker and route it's wires. A small bit of double-sided tape attaches the capacitor to the rear end of the weight (above the drive shaft) and you're done. The only "problem" is that the SFX004 comes pre-loaded with a steam and an SD38-2 sound scheme. The correct SD40-2 scheme is available from Digitrax, but loading it into the SFX004 requires either a PR2 or PR3 (I have a PR3). If you don't have access to either of those, perhaps your DCC dealer could load the SD40-2 scheme for you. HTH, Steve I am working on this very configuration but can't seem to figure out the trick to remove the fuel tank for the speaker mounting. I am hesitant not to break anything. Everything else looks straightforward. I've got the PR3 to install the SD40-2 sound file.
To answer my own question I finally found the secret. On the ends of the fuel tank, hidden by the trucks, are tabs that you need to pry up with the point of an Exacto knife that hold the two halves together. Pry them up and the fuel tank comes apart in two pieces.