Thanks to David and others regarding info about this engine. I picked one up without sound and based on all of your input, it sounds like I should add the Tsunami Heavy Steam to the tender. It looks like I will need to purchase a speaker and enclosure - can anyone advise what a good option would be that can fit inside this model’s tender? when I add the decoder and speaker, should I be aware of anything (i.e. resisters for lights, etc)?
Thanks in advance,
Being an Athearn, there might be 2 decoder interfaces available; A 9 pin and an 8 pin. Look for BOTH. Revmove the Dummy plugs in BOTH interfaces. If you don’t, you will blow your decoder instantly. The dummy plugs are there to short out the track leads with the proper motor leads…this is bad in a decoded environment.
Make sure you purchase the TSU1000, not the TSU750. The 1000 gives you 2 more functions and has the 9 pin interface.
If you have the 9 pin, then remove just enough of the shrink wrap of the Tsunami to reveal the 9 pin JST connector. Remove the wiring harness from the Tsunami and plug the Tsunami into the Athearn board.
If you have the 8 pin interface, then you can either solder the leads directly to the 8 pin socket, or purchase an 8 pin to 9 pin converter (Digitrax and NCE both offer one). Then plug it in.
If you have to choose between the 2 interfaces, then choose the 9 pin, it gives you one more lighting function.
REMEMBER TO REMOVE BOTH DUMMY PLUGS***********
All that is left is to buy a speaker and enclosure for the decoder. Any will do, the bigger the better. You have a lot of room in that tender…use it! Solder the purple wires to the speaker and you are DONE…DONE! Be sure to secure the speaker in such a way so it wont have anything touching the cone…this will cause distortion. Double sided foam tape works well for securing speakers…quick and painless.
The final step is programming, but that is a whole different story. We will cross that bridge when we get there…
David B
David-
You’re the best…I will drop you a line when I receive the Tsunami. I have a couple of Digitrax decoders with 8 and 9 pin attachments. I’d like to give her a test drive on DCC…
Regards.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.
David B