Has anyone installed Digitrax DCC and sound into a Genesis SD70M or for that matter any other brand of DCC and sound? I am probably going to install the Digitrax DCC/Sound combo for the F40PH since everything is contained in one unit. This way I will not have to separately wire a DCC decoder and a sound decoder.
Question 1: When I install the decoder will I have to isolate the motor or is the motor in the Genesis already isolated.
Question 2: Does anyone know if the ditch lights can be set up to operate like the ditch lights on a Tower 55 ES44AC or an Atlas 8-40CW? On these units the ditch lights flash after the horn has been activated. I believe that this behavior is called “Rule17”. If anyone know how to do this please tell me how to wire the ditch lights to the decoder and what CV’s I will need to program, including CV values would also be a big help.
Question 3: Will I need to install resistors in series with the stock Genesis lights and the decoder?
No, the Athearn ditch lights are wired in series as they come from the factory. You’ll have to separate their wiring and use resistors, because they are 1.5 Volt bulbs.
Yes, all of the lights in the Genesis are 1.5 Volt types, which are known to burn out very quickly in some cases. A resistor for every bulb will be necessary.
I’ve installed NCE decoders into 4 of them, but have not attempted sound. The Digitrax SoundFX decoder is fairly new and I haven’t tried fitting one into anything yet.
I have one of the Tower 55 ES44AC locomotives with the Digitrax SoundFX decoder, and it is outstanding in both motor control and sound quality.
Or, you can install a MRC 1634 sound decoder which snaps in (replacing the existing light board) and has three light wiring options, 12 volt, 1.5 volt and LED’s. It has lots of sounds (17?)a start up sequence for the sounds and can be run silent. However, it does come with a one inch speaker and I haven’t been able to figure out how to mount it in the unit. I’ve used a smaller speaker.
I didn’t do sound but installed “plug in” digitrax decoders in all three of mine and yes you can make the ditch lights flash with the horn button and adjust the time they stay on as well as many other things I don’t even care to understand!!!
I recommend looking at a Loksound decoder for several reasons:
You can have the actual diesel engine sounds for the SD70M
You also have a wider range of horns to choose from (Leslie, Nathan 3 chime and 5 chime in each)
The motor control is the finest available in aftermarket sound decoders.
Four lighting functions - front, rear, use the remaining two for the ditch lights.
Granted, they cost more, but many find the investment worth it.
Note: If you decide on Digitrax sound, I suggest using the Digitrax sound only decoder with a TCS A6X for motor and lighting; It has a built in 1.5 volt regulator for the light bulbs found in Genesis units and SIX lighting functions. Using resistors works, but you get regulated lighting that will remain the same irregardless of your track input voltage which can vary from layout to layout or on the same layout depending on your power distribution scheme.
To all interested in Loksound or Digitrax sound I recommend the programmers for either technology. This will allow you to program any of their sound decoders with sounds from other locomotive file sets. For example, I can purchase any Loksound decoder that is available; with the programmer I can upload the sounds for an Alco, EMD, or Baldwin loco I’m outfitting.
Currently ESU (Loksound) has the most choices for steam or diesel, American or European.
Digitrax currently has a generic steam loco sound set and sounds for the AC4400CW, F40PH and SD38-2 diesel locomotives. In time the idea is for hobbyists to contribute to the sound files posted on the Digitrax sound section of their website.
Rod Rule 17 (at least in terms of DCC lighting) refers to the effect of having the Front or Rear headlight dim when the locomotive is stopped or if the light under the rule is on the end OPPOSITE the direction of movement. The aspects vary from DCC manufacturer to manufacturer. It is easier to approach the settings for you once you decide on manufacturers and specific decoders.