Question for the DCC Whizzes

[SpaceMouse]

My favorite loco at the club is my Atlas Master GP-38. Now the norm at my club is sound and personally I think sound is cool. Soe I want to add sound.

So I called Tony's Train exchange and asked one of their guys how much. He said that they have to take out the Lenz decoder to put the SoundTrax in. I asked him if I wouldn't loose out the functionality of the Lenz. He said , "What, all it is stop go and light."

This didn't ring true from what I've heard--that the SoundTrax locmotion is not as good as the Lenz or Digitrax. what's the scoop?

[selector]

Chip, I am no whiz, but some decoders do only control locomotive motion characteristics and directional lighting. The sound decoders do that AND allow you to control various sound configs to a speaker system. So, all I have in my 0-6-0 is the 100LC, limited though it is in the vast realm of sound decoders, and I get motion control through it...at least, that's what the fellow who installed it for me said.

[jfugate]

Chip:

Replacing a standard decoder with a DSD100LC model will be pretty much straight across trade unless you have a back EMF Lenz decoder.

The current crop of SoundTraxx decoders do not have back EMF. That's about the only thing I think you will lose. And if you don't have a back EMF Lenz decoder installed now, then the guy's right. Pretty much a straight across trade, but the new decoder adds sound.

[ClinchValleySD40]

I don't think the Atlas/Lenz decoder has back EMF. They are pretty much bare bones decoders, so replacing it is no big loss. In fact, I trash any I'm stuck with and use something I prefer.

[Anonymous]

The only problem I have encountered with soundtraxx is that they tend to take off at full speed at random times for no reason. Even when you arent running the loco! My personal advice is keep the lenz decoder for your control and add one of the soundtraxx that does sound only, not motion. It is a little tricky to program an engine with 2 decoders, but easier than running after a runaway engine going about 200 scale MPH.

[jeffshultz]

If you got the Atlas Dual-Mode 4 function recorder, the guy at Tony's has a point - I've got an Atlas GP38 and a GP40, and that decoder does speed/direction and controls the headlight/taillights. There are a couple soldering pads where you could add something like ditch lights - and I plan to - but I can't think of anything you'd lose by replacing the decoder it came with.

Where are you gonna put the speaker?

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeffshultz


Where are you gonna put the speaker?

I hadn't gotten that far in my thinking. They have a speaker and a mount in mind.

Anyway, I'll take suggestions. I haven't actually even pulled it apart to look at my options. It lives at my train club and I only see it for a couple hours a week.

[jfugate]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JPM335

The only problem I have encountered with soundtraxx is that they tend to take off at full speed at random times for no reason. Even when you arent running the loco! My personal advice is keep the lenz decoder for your control and add one of the soundtraxx that does sound only, not motion. It is a little tricky to program an engine with 2 decoders, but easier than running after a runaway engine going about 200 scale MPH.

Joe:

I have full Soundtraxx decoders and I don't have the problem you describe.

The most common reason for that behavior is CV29 is set to recognize Analog DC operation. As a rule, I turn this feature OFF on all my decoders and the runaway loco problem has disappeared. Any time we have a runaway loco problem now days, I can always trace it back to a throttle issue.

To set CV29 to analog mode off (assuming it's on now) just subtract 4 from the current value in CV29. Or set bit 2 off, whichever you are more comfortable with. (Or use DecoderPro and just uncheck the analog mode box -- it doesn't get any easier than that!)

I highly recommend Soundtraxx sound decoders and find them to be very reliable. The quirky one of the lot is *actually* the DSX sound only decoder -- it will drive you nuts trying to program it since it seems like it at times wants to be the decoder attached to the motor too.

[jeffshultz]

I think your "best" option would be to remove or carve down the rear lead weight. You'll lose some traction but you'll be able to mount the speaker pointing up through the radiator fans.

[Fergmiester]

I second Joe's observations regarding Soundtraxx. I have two engines fitted with LC's and they work just fine. I have plans for installing more sound units using existing decoders.

Tenders just have so much more room to play with.

Fergie

[bpickering]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeffshultz

I think your "best" option would be to remove or carve down the rear lead weight. You'll lose some traction but you'll be able to mount the speaker pointing up through the radiator fans.

Something like this Atlas C30-7? [:)]
http://www.geocities.com/bpickeri/C30-7.htm
Brian Pickering

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jfugate

QUOTE: Originally posted by JPM335

The only problem I have encountered with soundtraxx is that they tend to take off at full speed at random times for no reason. Even when you arent running the loco! My personal advice is keep the lenz decoder for your control and add one of the soundtraxx that does sound only, not motion. It is a little tricky to program an engine with 2 decoders, but easier than running after a runaway engine going about 200 scale MPH.

Joe:

I have full Soundtraxx decoders and I don't have the problem you describe.

The most common reason for that behavior is CV29 is set to recognize Analog DC operation. As a rule, I turn this feature OFF on all my decoders and the runaway loco problem has disappeared. Any time we have a runaway loco problem now days, I can always trace it back to a throttle issue.

To set CV29 to analog mode off (assuming it's on now) just subtract 4 from the current value in CV29. Or set bit 2 off, whichever you are more comfortable with. (Or use DecoderPro and just uncheck the analog mode box -- it doesn't get any easier than that!)

I highly recommend Soundtraxx sound decoders and find them to be very reliable. The quirky one of the lot is *actually* the DSX sound only decoder -- it will drive you nuts trying to program it since it seems like it at times wants to be the decoder attached to the motor too.

Thanks, I'll have to pass on that information as it is not my engine im mentioning, but you have quelled my fear of soundtraxx.

[jeffshultz]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bpickering

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeffshultz

I think your "best" option would be to remove or carve down the rear lead weight. You'll lose some traction but you'll be able to mount the speaker pointing up through the radiator fans.

Something like this Atlas C30-7? [:)]
http://www.geocities.com/bpickeri/C30-7.htm
Brian Pickering

Precisely. Nice illustration!

[rrinker]

The other thing missing from the Soundtraxx motor decoders is silent drive or supersonic or (take your pick of whatever each manufacturer calls it). For an Atlas with a quality motor, this doesn't make much difference. An Athearn Blue Box stock motor will probably buzz annoyingly, which will limit the enjoyment of the sounds.
There is absolutely no reason NOT to disable analog conversion on the current Soundtraxx motor decoders - they don't work on DC anyway. In fact, putting a current Soundtraxx decoder on DC will smoke the decoder. One of the features of the Tsunami, when it gets here, is DC or DCC operation like the QSI decoders.

--Randy