add dcc/sound to Ringling Circus diesel

[BobZ]

looking for suggestions on best way to add dcc/sound to Ringling Bros Circus diesel.

[Hunt]

A simple and cost effective way if you do want all the sounds and capabilities of a top-of-the-line sound decoder --  shop for best cost and buy a Bachmann HO F7A DCC Sound Value equipped and swap locomotive shell.

[rich1998]

Hunt has the easiest suggestion. There are good prices on line.

Below is a link for what you would have to do yourself. Price the different items. Figure the time involved.

http://tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/bachmann-f7a/kit-coming-soon

The SoundTraxx site has a suggestion for decoder and speaker.

https://www.soundtraxx.com/choose/step1.php?s=HO-Bachmann

Rich

[Hunt]

*** Correction ***

A simple and cost effective way if you do not want all the sounds and capabilities of a top-of-the-line sound decoder --  shop for best cost and buy a Bachmann HO F7A DCC Sound Value equipped and swap locomotive shell.

[rich1998]

I have a couple Spectrum steamers that came with on board sound that are similar to sound value and I was happy with them.
I have installed full blown Tsunami and I did not notice any difference but I do not count all the rivets anyway.

Rich

[Trainman203]

Rich, if you think that sound Value is as good as the older Bachmann on board sound or (gasp) the Tsunami2  ..... man .... I'm speechless.

[rich1998]

Rich, if you think that sound Value is as good as the older Bachmann on board sound or (gasp) the Tsunami2  ..... man .... I'm speechless.

They were ok. I do not count all the rivets. Not looking for an argument. I know some just like to complain.

Rich

[Trainman203]

I'm not complaining at all.  Some folks are happy with a few basic sounds and it's good that there are products for everyone.  What bothers me the most about sound Value is not the omission of a particular sound, it's the omission of a timing cv that allows the engine to remain silent when you power up the layout, and goes silent after a user- set interval when the train is stopped.  That one thing really annoys me, when powering up, all my other engines, probably 5 or 6 at a time,  stay quiet but the sound value comes right on and I have to turn that one engine off.

The whistle choices are a lot better on the sound Value decoders than with the old Bachmann on board decoders so that makes this unfortunate omission really felt.  I don't know how much money Bachmann saved leaving that one cv off but it can't be getting anyone rich (sorry for the pun 😂😂).