add sound decoder to Bachmann On30 4-6-0

[bcochran]

Hello,

I have a Bachmann On30 4-6-0 with dcc but without sound.  I would like to add sound.  Is there a drop in sound decoder with speaker I can get for this loco?

Thanks

[Steve Magee]

Hello there

If you mean open the tender, plug something in and away you go, not quite. But it is an easy installation. Any sound decoder with an 8-pin plug will slip right in, but you will have to add a speaker of your choice and solder the two speaker wires from your decoder to the speaker terminals - does not matter which way they are soldered, there are no polarity issues. Then mount the speaker in the hole provided by bachmann in the tender. I forget the size of the speaker that fits the mounting, probably about 28 mm but a quick check with a ruler will give you that information.

That will get you started with a good basic installation. Tweak after if you like - seal tender with what we call BluTac here (stuff a bit in any holes you can see on the tender apart from the ones under the speaker) is a good start but not absolutely essential. It does provide more volume and a deeper sound.

I have used sound decoders from Soundtraxx, QSI, ESU Loksound, TCS WOW and Zimo in this installation. If you are new(ish) to installing sound, Soundtraxx Tsunami is a good all round bet for a simple installation and tune. My own one has a QSI Revolution U Version 7 installed, but is going to be upgraded to a TCS WOW 101 Vers 3.

Steve Magee
Newcastle NSW Aust