Hello All,
In John Gray's thread, "dcc conversion"
One of my responses was I would be upgrading a Digitrax DH126 series, non-sound decoder, equipped locomotive to their new SDXH167D sound decoder, and I would share my experience.
I am happy to report that it was successful!!!
The subject:
•Walthers HO Proto 2000 H10-44 (920-47794) "w/out Sound & DCC" (OEM). I purchased this unit used on an auction site with a blown Digitrax DZ123 (???) decoder.
The goal:
•Use the upgraded, hard-wired, Digitrax 9-pin- -non-sound- -wiring harness to "Plug 'N Play" the SDXH167D sound decoder.
On the auction website, this locomotive was listed as "DCC Installed."
My research told me this was an after-market installation.
It was at a great price, right livery and I "needed" one.
Upon inspection- -it was sold "As Is"- -the little DZ123 had given up its "Magic Smoke!"
The good news was the rest of the electronics were good.
Upgrading to a 126 series decoder required hardwiring a DHWH 9-pin to wires harness.
The SDXH167D sound decoder uses this same interface on the "non-speaker" side.
The H10-44 ran great with the DH126 series decoder.
I simply unplugged the DH126 series decoder from the 9-pin interface, plugged in the SDXH167D sound decoder, and tested it with address #3...
Lights, Sounds, ACTION!
SUCCESS!!!
When I removed the Original Equipment Manufacturer's (OEM) Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) the space these previously occupied allowed for the placement of the speaker/baffle and sound capacitor- -without having to modify the frame.
"I'd rather be lucky than good!"
My conclusion...
By hardwiring the basic DHW 9-pin harness; included with the 126 & 166 series decoders, upgrading to the SDXH167D sound decoder was as easy as finding the space to mount the speaker, hide the sound capacitor and "Plug 'N Play"!
(Yet to be tested with the 8-pin NMRA to 9-pin Digitrax- -stay tuned!)
Regarding sound fidelity of the Original Equipment Manufactures (OEM) speaker...
With the shell off, at maximum volume (15 steps) the speaker was definitely pushing it' limits of clarity but not volume- -it was plenty loud!
Decreasing, through JMRI DecoderPro, the "Master Volume" to a value of 12 seemed to be a balance of volume and quality.
The horn, bell, and other function-controlled sounds worked.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Glad to hear you had success. Did you happen to grab any pictures while you went?
Mike