DCC Decoders

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Is anyone aware of a cross reference list that exists were by you can look up the engine one has and it shows what decoders with/without sound are available. Example I have a Proto 2000 DC GP60 and want to convert it to DCC with sound. Am also looking for the simpliest installation, possibly like a “drop in”.

I am aware that all the decoder manufacturers have their decoders listed with applications in their web sites but just wondered if there was a simpler way to find them.

Thanks

2

Hi there,

I think I’m right in pointing you in the direction of Tony’s Train Exchange, link at the bottom of this reply. It has quite a comprehensive list of decoders on the market and if not completely helpful, at least a starting point!

Regards, Ian

http://www.tonystrains.com/productcompare/decoder_comparison.htm

3

First off, welcome to the world of DCC/Sound.

Good news and Bad news…

Good news; You can put sound into any unit out there. Even little 44 tonners.

Bad news; Decoder choice is critical on a case by case basis. There is not one size fits all, but there is a product that is close…

For example, lets take your GP 60. Here are your considerations.

  1. Space for a decoder, speaker, baffle and capacitor.

Well, when you take off the shell, you will see that space is limited. You might consider removing the cab interior and putting a speaker/baffle in that location. If the speaker and baffle are painted black, you will never notice them. If you dont like that solution, then think about removing some of the weight in the back of the unit for the decoder, speaker, baffle and cap.

  1. Lighting changes from 12v Light Bulbs to LEDs.

On DC control, 12v lights only come on to full brightness at full speed (as the bulb intensity is proportional to the voltage given to them). With DCC, those same lights can be on ALL THE TIME. Normally that wouldnt be an issue, but 12v bulbs at full power give off enough heat to eventually melt plastic. LEDs do not give off heat and have alonger life-span.

  1. Price (how much do you want to spend?)

How much? This is difficult to answer if you are not familiar with the different decoders out there. To make it simple I will rate decoders on my past experience (I am a professional installer) with a note to each one…starting with my first choice.

LokSound. Very expe

4

The easy (and probably cheapest) way for the Proto GP60 would probably be a Digitrax DH165LO drop-in decoder, with the Soundbug plugged in. The decoder plugs in, don’t need to change the 1.5 volt bulbs the engine comes with. The number board light will need to be added to a function output, as it is wired DCC unfriendly from the factory. The DCC system will see it as a dead short. At least it is a 12-14v bulb. The decoder will run the engine decent enough, but the sound isn’t as good as the Loksound. You may find the sound acceptable, especially considering the price. Not sure where the speaker would mount.

5

Ditto. I’ve got 2 P2K GP60s and I went with the DH165L0 decoders. Pretty much drop in and move the number board light to a function, no real room for a speaker. On the other hand I am finishing up 6 - P2K SD50/60/60M upgrades with DH165L0s and have added the Soundbug chips. It has required milling off a small portion of the weight to make room for a 16x35mm speaker enclosure.

6

nice pict. Jeff,nothing says it better than a pict. then one can see how it all comes together…ps you say you milled the wieght for speaker did you cut with a small cutoff wheel or did you actully use a mill ? I ask cause I cut a wight in a G scale tender once and remember it was not easy got hot quick time and took much longer than one would think…Jerry

7

A cutoff wheel and a hacksaw. I actually turn the locmotive upside down and clamp the back part in a vise. That way I don’t have to disassemble the locomotive and the dust from cutting all falls into the trashcan below. Here’s a couple more pictures:

Here you can see the cut marks.

Here is with the lead chunk removed.

Here’s the assembled decoder, Soundbug and speaker enclosure.

8

thanks Jeff ,now I m green, so you got the board style decoder and the sound bug attaches to it but you did’nt use the stock speaker that came with the sound bug …correct me if wrong …good idea about turnig over to cut… hows the sound volume to you ,some say volume to low on sound bug? … thanks again Jerry (green)

9

I use a 16x35mm speaker and enclosure. You can get them from Tony’s or Litchfield station. The volume isn’t bad but you do need to crank it up more than the QSI decoders. I set CV58 to 12-14 to adjust the master volume louder.