I having been looking at the premium series IHC HO steamers and wondered on the conversion to DCC with sound. I have looked at the older posts but I have a case of the stupids[D)]. I was wondering are they already insulated? If not how do you do it? I have never done this. I have copied and and pasted so older posts that have good info but still a little worry some. Also if the IHC engine states its “DCC ready” can i still install a DCC and sound into the loco? I am sorry for the questions but I am so lost[?]. I was thinking using Loksound? IS that ok? Tony’s trains says if I use Soundtraxx I have to buy the booster to program it. That is another $50 for the booster. I thought if i bought a IHC loco for under a $100 and spend another $100 on the DCC and sound it would be a nice setup. Please let me know on what you think of my current project that is building in my mind.
Any loco, whether IHC, or not, that is listed as DCC Ready, is just that. It ready for DCC to be installed, more than likely this will be by a DCC plug.
Depending on your budget, I would get the loco from someone who sells the loco you want with the sound already installed, or will install it, like Tony’s. Just checking the Spectrum steamers on his site, he has prices from under $200, to over $300, again with DCC/sound. I would also include the booster as well in the budget. A good friend has a premium DCC set and he still needs a booster to program his sound locos, even the Loksound ones.
I have PCM Yb6 and a Trix loco that both have Loksound. I am still able to program as nessary with my zephyr. I just thought that some needed the booster and some did not.
I personally believe that it depends on the phase of the moon. [:o)] There have been about as many modelers complaining about having to get the booster, as there have been modelers who say they don’t need it. My friend has 4 Tsunami’s, 2 Loksound, 6 QSI, and 2 old Soundtraxx units.
I know I don’t need one as I prefer not to have sound. I’ve installed some sound units for others, but don’t have any myself. Gives me a headache.[^]