A First Time For Everything (Decoder Install)

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I received a Proto 2000 CP SW9/1200 from old Saint Nick and need to install a decoder. I would also like to take a crack at putting sound in if possible. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of space in the little guy. If you guys can recommend a decoder and speaker and how to go about putting in said speaker I am certainly willing to give it a go. As always, thanks

Brent

2

Take a look at this thread.

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/164181.aspx

I searched the 'Net for the engine used in the 70 ton and listened to sound samples. I purchased from Litchfield. Litchfield suggested the LokSound 44 ton sound but I have the 44 ton and it is two 160 hp diesels. You can hear both when started.

The diesel sound I chose is a single 660 hp diesel which is what was in the 70 ton and it does sound different.

Do some searching for what engine would be in your loco.

Rich

3

A few options here, both of which will remove your interior.

  1. Soundtraxx Tsunami TSU-750 567. The Tsunami has a small size (will fit where the original weight lives) with the Cap and speaker in the cab. The speaker can either be built as the floor of the cab (allowing you to keep the interior stuff) or can be a larger speaker/baffle that will fill the cab. The capacitor goes in the cab as well.

  2. LokSound Micro. Again, the small size of the decoder will live where the old front weight is. The speaker will fit in the cab, there is no cap.

  3. Ship it to me (Calgary) and I will do the install for you (for my regular fee) and you can reverse engineer my work.

I would also suggest replacing the bulbs with LEDs.

David B

4

Thanks for responses guys. These are pricey little items. I will start shopping around.

David the thought of tossing it over the mountains to you did cross my mind and it might well yet happen. It is very important for me to be able to do everything in this hobby myself, so I will give it a go first. I am sure I will have more questions along the way. Until then, thanks.

Brent

5

First thing, in the future, try to use a more appropriate subject heading. Could make a difference in reader response. I passed over your post a number of times.

With my DCC installs, I did a lot of online research and measuring the inside of the loco. The different DCC sound decoder companies have specs for the decoder and speaker size.

SoundTraxx, QSI and LokSound are three companies I am familiar with. I would not consider MRC sound. Tony’s, Litchfield, Ulrich are three online DCC dealers I am familiar with. In fact do a Google search for loksound decoders or soundtraxx decoders and you will come up with different dealers. A Dremel is a very usefull tool for modifying loco frames.

Rich