Hello,
I have read many places how you can take a decoder like the digitrax soundbug and make an under layout sound system that you can MU with another DCC loco. I am coming from O scale and I am not real thrilled with the small onboard speakers in HO. My layout is not going to be that big 5 by 18, so I am looking for options to give some sound for my older locos that do not have sound.
What I cannot find is info on the specifics of wiring a decoder like the Tsunami that has motor leads. The add on sound only decoders just wire to the track. But I think I like the specific sounds coming from the QSI and Tsunami units. I am thinking of having an Alco, early EMD and a FM decoder for these without sound that I have and using larger boxed speakers. Does anyone have wiring specifics about doing this?
ThanksSB
You'd need two wires to connect the sound decoder to track power, then two wires from the decoder to the speaker. You can assign a decoder the same ID no. as the engine, so when you power up say an F-7 a 1st generation EMD sound decoder comes to life too. More likely you'd assign each sound decoder a separate ID No. and m.u. them to certain engines so you can have all your early EMD engines use the same sound decoder.
I haven't tried it, but my understanding is the soundbug isn't very loud. You may need to connect it's output up to some sort of stereo system or other amplifier to make it louder. The MRC "Sounder" is pretty loud and I would think with a decent sized speaker (say 2-3") would be plenty loud.
BTW before giving up on onboard sound, try to see how big a speaker you can fit in, and be sure your speaker has an enclosure. The enclosure makes a BIG difference in the quality of the sound. A 1/2" by 1" oval speaker has a lot better sound than a 1/2" round speaker, and will fit in most GP type engines with a little planning. An F type engine with a 1" round speaker (you can get a pretty big speaker in a dummy B unit) has good sound.
The SoundBug should be loud enough. The "low volume" reputation of these Digitrax sound-only decoders belongs to the SFX0416, which is barely audible even when cranked up full.
These decoders, along with the newer Digitrax sound-and-motor decoders, use (I think) only 8-bit sound technology. Tsunami and other high-end sound decoders typically use 16-bit technology, which gives a far superior sound. If you are disappointed by onboard sound systems in HO locomotives, then you're probably going to want the higher-grade Tsunami. Personally, I'm not much of an audiophile, and I'm happy with my SoundBug engines. But, even I notice the difference, and I'm very happy with my Tsunami units.
If I were going to do this, I would go to the Soundtraxx web site and send them an e-mail. My concern would be the available sound output power for these decoders. They are, after all, designed to run with very small speakers, and may not have enough power to drive anything much larger than what can typically fit in a locomotive or tender.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Some have done this as I read some messages in the Yahoo SoundTraxx Group. They connected the decoder to an amplifier and put speakers under the layout. Don't remember any other details.
You will need to put a 100 ohm, 1/2 watt resistor across the orange and grey motor leads or you will not be able to read the decoder. The decoder needs a load and the usual resistance of a motor is around 100 ohms.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Rich,
This is the info I was looking for, what to do with the motor leads. I would really like to know the specifics of how to wire on e of these things into an amp. No that would be some sound.
I may try the sound bug first. At 40 dollars I don't have that much to lose. I can always put it in one of my other locomotives. Do you know what OHM speaker the sound bug needs to be hooked up to?
Thanks
SB
I did a search for connect dcc sound decoder to amplifier
and below is one of the links I found. Scroll to the bottom. Store the link in Favorites. You or someone else will need it in the future.
I sometimes save the complete page to my PC as a HTML. When a site goes away and they do sometimes, I have the original page but sometimes the links on the page will not work.
Save the links to Favorites also. Stuff can happen. I also store all my Files and Favorites to an external hard drive.
Ever had a hard drive or PC die? Been there, done that, have the T shirt.
http://litchfieldstation.com/DCC-University/FaqTsunami.htm
blabride I may try the sound bug first. At 40 dollars I don't have that much to lose. I can always put it in one of my other locomotives. Do you know what OHM speaker the sound bug needs to be hooked up to? Thanks SB
Go to the decoder site and look up the specs.