Bachmann Baldwin Shark (DCC Equiped) Sound Instalation?

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hey, I just ordered a Bachmann Bladwin Shark (A and B) DCC equiped, I was wondering how hard it is to install sound into it. I am just starting wiring, so not much skill, I want really good sound (Loksound is the way to go I think that is what is in my BLI’s and PCM’s). Thanks Mike

2

  1. I didnt know Bachmann made Baldwin Sharks.

  2. I dont know the innards of said Bachmann Baldwin Sharks.

  3. Loksound is a good chip but has 2 downsides; 1. Price 2. Soft horns.

  4. BLI have QSI sound chips.

  5. You are correct about the PCM having LokSound chips.

You best bet is to take pictures of your locos and rip out the DCC on board.

David B

3

Yeah, I see I would like to get around overhauling completly. You are right my bad about the BLI. You said Loksound has soft horns, can you adjust CV’s to fix that? I am probably wrong I am really new to electronics, I am a teen but I am still learning alot! Mike

4

The LokSound hornsound can be fixed to an extent, but because of the 100ohm speaker, the horn will never give that splitting sound that you can get from Digitrax, QSI and Soundtraxx decoders…

David B

5

Yep, their roughly brand new.

If you plan to adjust the CVs on them, you need to strip out the decoder. The best one can do is toggle the startup voltage. I have 4 of them, the demos. One thing you can do is remove the A unit decoder for a sound one, and daisy chain a second speaker to the B unit from the A’s chip. If you plan on doing more later, this might be the better bet. Not what you wanted to hear, but I;m not sure the Bachmann decoders have the functions for sound.