Hey all,
I am rather new to DCC and I have a Proto 2k F1a and F1b set and and a Phase 5 AMD 103 that I would like to put decoders in. I am wondering what everyone would recommend for these locos as far as decoders go? Is anyone familiar with whats involved in installing them? Also, is it possible to put sound in them?
thanks
amsr
I have not put sound in P2K, but I did put in decoders. They are plug and play and take about 5 minutes to install. That said, both units had solder bridges on the sockets and blew the decoders. I ate the cost of 2 decoders which was more than I paid for the locos. So check that the sockets are clean.
It depends on how old the units are. The FAs have been run several times with slight variations. I have an original set that has a nice knotch in the frame at the rear of the unit. It is just about the right size for a NCE D13SR decoder.
The hard part with a sound installation is always the speakers. However, the Alco FA & FB units have that huge circular vent at the rear that seems would be an excellent place for a 1" upward firing speaker. Once again, depending on the age of the unit, you might have to remove all the machinery for the “operating” fan though.
The other thing to remember with sound is to get a unit with the appropriate prime mover sounds installed on it. Alco used an Ingersol-Rand 244 in the FA1 & FA2s. This was a twelve cylinder, turbo charged, four stroke diesel. If your unit is a newer one Soundtraxx makes a special decoder for it - “#820072 ALCO for NEW Life-Like FA Diesels”. The emphasis is theirs not mine.
I know nothing of the Genesis, other than it would have a GE prime mover and a five chime horn. I have an aquantance who has one with DCC-sound installed. It has working ditch lights and the whole nine yards. So it is definitely possible.