DCC sound decoders for 2-8-0

[myoung]

What sound decoders are easiet to install in the 2-8-0 and will work with the Bachmann DCC system? New to DCC!

[Tim]

Myoung,

Because there is so much room in the tender you can use any sound
decoder you wish.

However My choice would be the "Soundtraxx  Tsunami" light steam.

I have written an illustrated article on installing a Tsunami in the 2-8-0.

If you would like a copy E=mail me with your Snailmail address and I will
send you a copy.

Tim Anders
Souderton, Pa

[hminky]

I have a "what I did" about putting a Tsunami with dual speakers in the 2-8-0 at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/of_sound/



and everything 2-8-0 at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/of_280/

Thank you if you visit
Harold

[myoung]

Myoung,

Because there is so much room in the tender you can use any sound
decoder you wish.

However My choice would be the "Soundtraxx  Tsunami" light steam.

I have written an illustrated article on installing a Tsunami in the 2-8-0.

If you would like a copy E=mail me with your Snailmail address and I will
send you a copy.

Tim Anders
Souderton, Pa

Will the Tsunami decoder work well with the Bachmann DDC system or will it be limited? I just want to be able to hear the sound, contol speed...the basics.

[Tim]

Myoung,

Your EZ DCC will not limit the sound decoder as far as the loco
control and sounds.

You will however have to use a more advanced system to do the initial
setup of the decoder sounds, volume levels, and motor parameters.

Tim Anders
Souderton, Pa

[ebtbob]

Tim and Harold,

      I think you two guys should put your heads together and compare your methods of installing the Tsunami decoders in the 2-8-0,  or other On30 engines for that matter.   I would love to know if there are any major differences in method or materials.   Tim,  as you well know,  I have a printout of your method,  and Harold's is on the net at his site,  so I can compare the two,  but for others......
      Also,   I have two different Tsunamis in use here.  One of my 2-8-0s has the light steam that you mentioned Tim.   The other has the C Class sound.  The biggest difference is the whistles.   Not just the selection is different,  but if you listen to the C Class,  there is an ever so slight "echo" effect when the whistle is blown,  which makes sense since the C class was used a lot in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico.

Bob Rule, Jr.
Hatboro, Pa.

[gnfan]

I used a Tsunami small steam decoder in one of my 2-8-0s. I used two speakers and set them up similar the picture posted.

One thing is that you do not need to mess around with soldering an 8 pin plug connector on to the wires on the decoder.

The Soundtraxx decoders use a standard inline connector on the decoder. You
can peel back the purple shrink wrap a bit. Unplug the wire harness and plug
in a Digitrax DHWHPS (1 inch long) or a DHWHP (3 inch long) wire harness.
The new harness only goes in one way so you cannot mess it up.

Unplug the harness it comes with and plug in the DHWHP or DHWHPS harness and
it's now a plug n'play decoder.  So much easier to install and you
only have to solder the speakers to hook them up. I use plugs for those as
well just to make it easier to install them.

There is a separate plug for the speaker connections so you don't have to
worry about them. It takes longer to describe how to do than it takes to
install the new harness.

I also discovered that older Soundtrax decoders use the same connector set
up. Never again will I solder up an 8 pin DCC plug.

David

[hminky]

In my description I solder up the 8 pin connector because it only takes about 5 minutes. The harness costs $5. I am willing to trade 5 minutes for $5.

Besides if you don't have a harness with the 8 pin connector it isn't that hard to attach the Tsunami harness to the Bachmann plug.

That is why I call them "what I did's" instead of "how to's".

Harold