Dcc for Bachmann HO scale 50 Ton Climax

[spfan]

Could someone recommend a DCC decoder that will fit.  Doug

[VTBob]

the only thing small enough is the TDS.

http://www.tcsdcc.com/decoderpics/Bachman%20Climax/bachman_climax.htm

I tried an MRC mini-dcc sound decoder, but it's really not the right one for the job as the locomotive barely can pull its own weight.

Bob

[WoundedBear]

Bachmann's own #44915 decoder will fit right in....has the 8 pin plug as well.

Sid

[spfan]

Thanks for the info on the decoder

[BigBob1]

I'm about to put a Mini-Tsunami (Soundtraxx) decoder in a Climax & I'm confident I can squeeze it in the tank & have room for a 7/8" speaker. The floor is drilled for the speaker & with the decoder mounted diagonally it should just fit. I do this kind of work for a couple hobby shops but at the moment I'm waiting for the speaker to come in. When I finish I'll leave a wrap-up message on this site.
Bob Battles

[BigBob1]

Greetings!

I just finished installing a Micro-Tsunami in a Bachmann Climax & it went fine; it's tight fit but she sounds good. The little Tsunami just fits at a 45 deg. angle inside the tank on top of the speaker & happily, the frame was drilled for the speaker! One tip: before cutting all the wires off the ckt. board, paint them with acrylic paint of the color used by the Tsunami-- it'll make things much easier. If not, you'll have a fistful of black wires coming up thru a hole in the floor & you'll have to buzz every one out, not a fun job. The two wires on the ckt. board marked LED1 go to the headlight, LED2 goes to the backup light, M- & M+ go to the motor & the two at the front corners go to the left & right rails. But the Climax runs like a champ & the Micro-Tsunami chosen was LIGHT LOGGING, so it has a couple whistles that'll give you goose-bumps! Have fun.     Bob Battles

[johnnyutah]

Hey Big Bob1,
I want to add sound to my climax and I found your instilation details interesting. By the sounds of it you got rid of the circit board all together, yes? So by simple deduction (and I am simple) you just conect the respective wires coming up into the coal box, to the colour coded ones on the decoder, correct? I have only been using standard decoders and hard wiring them to the circit boards in locos that have the room for all, as the the climax has stuff all room, I am saying that is why the circit board needs to go?

[BigBob1]

To JohnnyUtah, my answer to all your questions is YES. The Micro-Tsunami will not fit in the tank with the ckt. board still in place. Labeling the wires before you cut them off the ckt. board will save you a bunch of time. I found the chuffing synced in at the CV setting of around 120--125. Have fun.

Bob Battles

[Birdog]

BigBob,
Couple of questions on your Climax install.
Did you put in the capacitor?
What size resistors did you use for the LED's?
Do you think I should drill some holes in the coal load as well?
I'm going to attempt an oval speaker the 1.00x.56 from soundtraxx I think it will fit.
Thanks for your time.
Birdog