Bachmann RS3 and digitraxx sound Help and advice please

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hi there Guy’s, I havent been active in here for a few weeks, as duty calls and I have to earn a living :). I have a new DCC equipped Bachmann Rs3, and it can take a sound decoder. ( the fuel tank has a cavity for a speaker) So I am heading into sound for the first time, and have a few questions.

Here in South Africa, Digitraxx is the most common decoder around and also the most affordable, what decoder would be a sure thing to add (digitrax wise) The Loco has a pin harnass, havent checked if it is 8 or 9 pin ? Should I be looking to add a sound only decoder, or do I go the whole hog and add a sound/function decoder ?

Looked on tony’s trains site and they dont specify in their lists, and digitrax site is a bit vague.

Have a brilliant New Year guys, and thanks a million.

Greg

2

Greg.

Is ESU Loksound available in your area? ESU has done a very good representation of the Alco prime movers. Their version 4 decoders have a 8 pin plug. Here is a link to their site.

http://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-v40/

Pete

3

There’s no approriate sound project for an RS3 for the Digitrax decoders, unless someone privately has made one that isn’t available for public consumption.

–Randy

4

Hi there Pete,

Have done a search for local/nationwide ESU, and no luck. South Africa has some great model railroaders, but alas we are a backwater in terms of supply. Digitrax is the commonly used decoder here, and I cannot afford to buy via the internet, as i am a youth pastor with very limited funding, so when I do buy it is always with a great deal of research, to really stretch my budget :). I am considering getting a digitrax sound (generic sound) decoder for the moment, as it is my birthday soon, and my beloved thinks it will be cool to have sound :slight_smile: So it looks like i shall have to make a project out of this :slight_smile:

Thanks for the advice though, most welcome :slight_smile:

Greg

5

Hey there Randy,

Seesm like shall have to make a go of it myself ( new territory for me) and see what can be done. Thanks for the input ,

God Bless

Greg

6

If you cant afford anything more than the Digitrax sound decoders, then save up until you can afford a Tsunami or QSI revolution. Digitrax has dropped the ball with these decoders and you WILL be disapointed, and probably turned off of sound by it.

Just my 2 cents of experience.

David B