I picked up an HO Atlas S2 and want to add sound to it, it has the 8 pin socket. I am thinking using the Loksound Select Micro decoder. I also thought I may try using an iPhone speaker. Does this sound like an accetable way to go? Any other suggestions? Thanks.m
This install use the Tsunami Micro.
http://www.mrdccu.com/install/hods/Atlas-S2-826004.htm
A lokSound Micro would work. I have used the LokSound in a 44 tonner and 70 tonner. They are not heat sensitive like the Tsunami Micro. Just follow the wiring instructions on the decoder package.
Rich
The Loksound Micro would be my suggestion as well, and the latest sound file is the same one Atlas uses in their factory installs. Once the top weight is cut down, there is plenty of room (relatively speaking) above the front truck for a decent sized speaker.
Mark.
Don’t forget the Atlas S2 has the same wiring problem the Proto 2000 S1 has, and they are not truly DCC ready, they need a new wire run to the lower motor brush to isolate it from the chassis. The rail pickups are isolated, but with one motor brush connected tot he frame, if the loco derails and a wheel is force back up against the frame, you have track power linked to the motor output, which means fried decoder.
Definitely go for the Loksound Micro, it’s even smaller than the TSU-750 and you won’t have to deal with the thermal adhesive and junk to keep it cool.
–Randy
Wrong loco in that link…! The newer S units from atlas are completely new. Yes, the loksound micro will work great! Also, if it fits, absolutely use the iphone speaker. There should be a factory speaker placement ready for a particular size speaker. David B
The older S2’s had this problem - the metal screw holding the motor to the frame needed to be replaced with a nylon one to insulate it. I believe they corrected this on the latest run.
Mark.
Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. I will keep you informed how this goes.
Basementdweller:
Don’t forget that the Loksound Select Micro uses 4 ohm speakers only. (EDIT: See David B’s and Mark R’s comments below. Apparently I am starting to see things.) A single iPhone speaker is 8 ohms. You will have to use two iPhone speakers wired in parallel to bring the total impedance down to 4 ohms. See the third diagram down on this page:
http://www.sbs4dcc.com/tutorialstipstricks/wiringmultispeakers.html
The Select Micro comes with a 4 ohm speaker and enclosure which would work nicely, but I think you would be more impressed with two iPhone speakers. The Loksound supplied speaker will need a bit of sealing to make the enclosure work properly.
I just put two iPhone speakers in a P2K SW9 with a Loksound Select decoder (not micro). The new Select full sized decoders will accept 4, 8 or 16 ohm speakers. The sound is really good. I put the speakers in the roof of the cab. There was just enough room left to squeeze in an engineer minus the top of his hat. I took a couple of side window glass panels out to help the sound escape, and I also removed part of the floor of the can interior where it can’t be seen to allow sound out the bottom.
You might want to read the information about iPhone enclosures in the above link too.
Dave
Um…the current loksound decoders are fine with 4,8 or 16 ohms…as per their manual… David B
Hi David:
Apparently Loksound has changed their specs recently. The manual states that all three Select decoder versions can use 4 - 8 ohm speakers. See pages 6 and 11. However, when you read the general description of the decoders they refer to 4 ohm speakers only.
I’m sure that when I bought a Micro decoder recently it specified 4 ohms, and the speaker which was supplied with it measures 4 ohms. Nowhere can I now find a reference to the Select full sized decoders being able to use 16 ohms but I know I wasn’t making it up. I found one reference to 16 ohms on page 13 of the manual but it is listed as a warning to not exceed that value only.
Anyhow, thanks for correcting my post.
Dave
EDIT(again!): Tony’s says that the Loksound Selects can all accept 4, 8 or 16 ohm speakers. I think I had better learn to shut up on decoder installs![D)]
ALL Loksound decoders work optimally with a four ohm speaker (which no other decoder can), but they also work just fine with 8 or 16 ohm speakers. You could even attach one of the old 100 ohm speakers if you wanted, but you won’t get much sound out of it.
Straight from the Select manual … LokSound Select decoders may be used with any speaker or combination of speakers whose total impedance is at least 4 ohms or higher. You should use the largest speaker possible to get the best volume and bass sound. We recommend the usage of the ESU speakers which are optimized for use with the LokSound Select. All of them are high power, 2W speakers with an impedance of 4 ohms.
And from the V4.0 manual … For LokSound V4.0 decoders you can use loudspeakers (also combinations) with a total impendance of 4 – 16 Ohms. We recommend to use the 4 Ohms impendance by ESU as they are tuned to LokSound V4.0 decoders.
You can always run higher than the amp is rated for, but you can’t go lower.
Mark.
Well I now have sound in my S2. The newer release Atlas S2 has a speaker enclosure over the front truck, I installed the Loksound Select Micro with a 4 ohm speaker suggested by the LHS, it sounds excellent. The enclosure tool a little fabricating to accept the speaker but it was easy and straight forward.
Just running it for the first time I find the different function controls awkward after running only Tsunami’s. I miss the short horn (f3). The front and rear headlights stay on and do not seem to be directional - is there a cv for this?
A fun evening project and an excellent smooth loco that sounds as good as it runs.
I appreciate all the comments and advice, thanks.
Martin.
Loksound decoders don’t need a “short horn” function because you can just tap F2 and get a short horn. [swg]
As for the lights being on in both directions, you must have the Atlas file installed, the universal file has the directional lighting as default. To change the Atlas file to be directional, change the following …
CV31 = 16, CV32 = 2
CV257 = 20
CV273 = 24
CV’s 31 and 32 are upper register CV’s and must be set first before changing CV’s 257 and 273.
Mark.
Thanks Mark. I noticed that I could tap f2 which I thought was odd as with the Tsunami’s f2 stays on.
That’s why Loksounds are more better ! [bow]
Mark.
Have you tuned the BEMF yet? Put the loco on the track, acquire it, enter Ops mode programming, set cv 54=0, exit programming, press F1, the loco will take off for about 2 seconds at full speed, turn off F1…enjoy your tuned loco. David B
I really need to get some track back up so I can try this. The units with Loksound that I already have already creep tie to tie on step 1 without running the auto config tuning. Getting it even better - almost hard to imagine.
–Randy
Well, then, get going Randy.
Randy without a layout is like a morning without sunshine. [li]
Rich
I’m trying, see my thread in the Layouts section.
–Randy
[tup]