Adding DCC and sound in Roundhouse Engines.

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hi everyone. Well here’s the question: I recently purchased a DCC unit (Bachman E-Z command),Yes I read all the pros and cons about this unit but wanted to get into DCC without a great expense (still have to buy food for family). Anyway I have several old Roundhouse kit locos, all steam, HO scale. Can I successfully convert them to DCC/sound equiped without a lot of failure or expense, or will I just wasteing time and money? Thanks

2

Good reliable sound doesnt come cheap. Steer clear from the alure of MRC sound decoders as they wont serve you well. I would focus my money towards Sountraxx Tsunami units and the like.

David B

3

If there is not any PC boards in the locos, I can’t help you.

4

How old is old? I have a couple of the old, all metal Roundhouse kit locomotives from the 1960’s-70’s and won’t even try to install decoders in them because they would require a total rebuild with a new motor and gearing, and I don’t consider them worth the expense.

If yours are the same vintage, you’d be better off purchasing a new Bachmann Spectrum engine with sound already installed. You’ll have a much smoother running engine and Tsunami sound for less than you would have to invest in the old Roundhouse products.

5

DCC and sound in Roundhouse locomotives at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1905/roundhouse_sound/

The main problem is lack of pickup on all the tender wheels. Haven’t got around to adding pickups to the locomotive drivers. That is coming.

Thank you if you visit

Harold

6

I am using the Micro-Tsunami in my Roundhouse locos. They are the newer locos so you would have to use Harold’s ideas since I suspect you have the older style locos. Harold also has a good idea for equiping the tender with all wheel pickup. I would also suggest pickup on the fireman’s side for the drivers.

Rich

7

I plan on adding a PCB bottom plate on the frame and adding pickups to the locomotive drivers rather than depend on pickup through the axle bearings.

Harold

8

I managed to horsewhip the DCC/Sound 2-8-0 I have but have plans to convert to the decoder mentioned in the previous link. The decoder MRC gives to roundhouse will not do. But for now, it will serve, just like those plastic couplers I tolerate until they get replaced by kadees.

9

Thank you all for the wonderful answers to my question. Yes I do have the older Roundhouse kit locos. The article about converting these old workhorses to be sound equipped was just what I needed. Thanks again…

10

Too bad he wont be able to configure the sound decoder though…

David B

11

David, I didn’t understand what you meant when you said I would unable to configure the sound decoder…as you might expect I have very little knowledge about DCC and sound…thanks another David

12

Any sound decoder will require ‘tweeking’ to sound right. You can install a sound decoder into your locomotive and have it make noises for you, but you wont be able to adjust CVs to allow you to customize your decoder. For example, a steam locomotive will make 4 ‘chuffs’ per revolution. You wont be able to adjust CV 116 in the Tsunami decoder to match the chuffs to your locomotive.

The Bachmann EZ command cant change CVs beyond changing CV1 (which indicates the locomotive’s 2 digit address).

You will need to upgrade to a better DCC system to take advantage of your sound decoders.

David B