I want to add sound to a Life-Like RDC. Will getting one of the Digitrax Soundbug ready decoder boards be a solution? What will be the best way to add sound and DCC to an Athearn P42, IHC GG1, MRC F7A, Bachmann Acela Acela HHP-8 locomotive, Bachmann steam and a Bachmann F40PH.
You need to do a bit of research on your own. Try the DCC manufacturers web site(s), they have lists of what fits what. Also try Tony’s Train Exchange http://www.tonystrains.com/ . Send them emails, they’ll be happy to answer.
Both the Digitrax Soundbug and the Digitrax SFX0416 are add-on, sound-only boards. They draw power in parallel to the motor decoder, and respond to the same set of commands. The typical installation sets both the sound and motor decoders to the same address. Digitrax is making a new series of decoders which are “Soundbug Ready.” These are not sound decoders, but they do have a convenient plug for the Soundbug.
These 2 sound decoders are programmable, if you have a Digitrax PR2 programmer. I’ve just bought one of these myself. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but I was able to download a trolley car “sound project” into an SFX0416.
I’ve found that the SFX0416 isn’t terribly loud. I think I can still do some tweaking, but right now, the mechanical running sounds generated by the trolley itself drown out the sound effects.
Both the SFX0416 and the Soundbug come with speakers. Unfortunately, these are BIG speakers - 1 inch round ones. You can probably put one in an RDC, because there’s a lot of space there, but most engines don’t have that much space. Remember, you’ll probably need a speaker enclosure besides the speaker. You can make one yourself out of styrene, or buy one to match the speaker.
If your engine is not already decoder-equipped, you can buy a motion-and-sound decoder for it, and get everything in one unit. This may be the only way to go if you’re already tight for space inside the shell. One problem with this method is that these decoders typically are not programmable, so you have to get the right one for each engine.
Try posting your question in the Electronics and DCC forum. I’m sure you’ll get more replys. Good luck, Mike