Installing sound in an Atlas C425

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Not sure if this is the right Forum space but here’s my question for any expertise out there.

I am looking to install a sound upgrade in an HO Atlas C425 [recently bought]. Installing a decoder was no problem since it was just a plug-in. If I now upgrade to sound should I get the sound/motor decoder to replace the whole board or just get a sound decoder to add in somehow. The most critical question [as always] is where it put the speaker. I was thinking of cutting off some of the frame weight at the back under the fan. Then I would have to point the speaker up and have an open vent. Is there a new part you can get for the vent or can you [carefully] drill out the openings in the existing vent?

I searched for this topic yesterday and found a post in the DCC Forum where someone installed the speaker over the new sound board in the center of the loco. Unfortuneately [don’t know why] I now cannot find this post!! My questions here would have been - how cen there be enough room above the board - it looks to be less than 1/4 inch. Also the same question on sound venting - how was this done.

Would appreciate any experience/wisdom before I tackle this project. Thanks

Alan

2

Considering the limited amount of space, I think it would be better to replace the motor decoder with a sound/motor decoder.

From my experperience, better sound quality and dispertion is achieved by mounting the speaker in a baffle and pointing the speaker downward to allow the sound to come out through the openings around the trucks.

3

Does this unit have an interior? If not, a bigger speaker will fit in the cab.

Which decoder are you going to be using? If you go with a Tsunami, you will be able to adjust the equalizer to compensate for a small speaker.

David B

4

Thank you both for your suggestions.

Jay: I will construct a tight speaker inclosure to fit the space and point it down

David: I just found one of your old posts where you recommended the following sound decoders:

  1. QSI-R. It will replace the current board.

  2. Sountraxx Tsunami AT1000. Again, it will replace the current board.

  3. ESU Loksound Decoder. It will plug INTO the current board.

Locating the speaker in the cab will not work since there is an interior weight [with the two engineers on each side], which I would be reluctant to cut or remove.

It was a later post in that same earlier thread where “gatefive” said he installed a speaker above an AT1000 in the existing board location. I couldn’t see how there would be enough room but maybe I need to experiment. I also assume that I would point the speaker down to sound vent around the motor and through the truck holes. Gatefive did not indicate how he sound vented [he provided no personal contact coordinates so I can’t ask him].

Alan