I’m am planning to convert two LL P2K GP30 from DC to DCC + sound. My remaining locomotives will be DCC with motor only decoders (TCS T1-LED). After considerable research, I am leaning toward a Loksound 58823, a micro sound decoder with bare wires. It fits easily behind the cab (25mmL x 11mmW x 5.5mmD) in the locomotive and the documentation indicates for N and small HO locomotives. GP30 models are bigger than a switcher but much smaller than the modern six axle diesel. They are sweet runners, will operate on a flat layout, and will only pull up to 8 cars. I think they should be fine, do you agree?
The speaker would be situated between the crew members (space=20 mm, requires 13 mm). The length is 19mm and I have 19mm,need to do small bit of filing with weight out of the model. The height is 15mm and I have 20. Seems to be a go but need to confirm with folks at scale sound systems.
I would use the 58420. There should be enough room to not require e micro. I would think that a larger decoder would be less stressed. I have used many of them in Proto GP7s & 9s with no problems fitting them and they are slightly less expensive.
Mark Vinski
I use nothing but Scale Sound speakers and find every one of them to be superior to anything else in the equivalent size. A while back I did a L-L GP30 and in that case I used the modular ESU 50321 speaker (before I discovered SSS):
It was a pretty straightforward conversion and I don’t recall any major modification to the weight, maybe just a little filing. There is an ESU Loksound Select in there.
I run this GP30 MUed with an F7 A and B so they have plenty of ‘fuller’ sound and about the only thing I hear from the Geep 30 is the turbo whine (turned way down! A little goes a long way).
Unfortunately, I don’t believe there is one. You can only lower the prime mover volume. You ‘may’ have some success by playing around with the ‘bass and treble’ settings now available in recent firmware.
Mark, I confess that I am a DCC neophyte. I enjoyed operating in DC but also felt that someday I would migrate to DCC. I didn’t mention in my first message that I operate a switching layout at slow speed. I plan to set the average speed at 10mph and max speed at 20mph. I have a model railroad speedometer to establish the voltage settings for the decoder.
I chose the micro for several reasons:
single train operation at slow speed and limited train length
manufacturer indicates micro is okay for HO
micro decoder gives more options for speaker location
will only use 2 functions (forward and rear HL)
Randy Rinker (RIP), long time poster on MRR and my goto guy for advice, suggested 58420 or 58820 if needed space for speakers.
I recognize that asked for opinions and appreciate you offering yours. Thank you! Can you clarify for me what you meant by less stress on the decoder with the 58420? In my uninformed opinion, I would guess that my operational plan is well below the limits for the micro decoder.
You are correct that the 58420 is cheaper, easily fits behind the cab, has more function outputs, and still leaves some space for speakers below the fan. It is good choice as well!
Hi Ed! Yes, I have that seen image before on MR! You have given me valuable advice on several occasions. I only looked at Scale Sound System speakers based on your comment!
I wanted to avoid any milling or filing on the weight if at all possible. The in-cab mount looks good, but almost “too good”. It will be easy if I can use two sided tape to attach the speaker to the weight. Would be a spectacular fail if the speaker fell through the cab while the gp30 was moving… I may need to remove the crew and attach a piece of styrene between the crew mounts. This styrene bridge would prevent a spectacular fail into the drive shaft but will it affect sound? It will be approximately 5mm below the speaker. I plan to discuss with SSS but also want to know your opinion.
Another question. My layout and locomotives run well in DC. Do I need to add “keep alives” to my sound locomotives?
Recently completed a DCC upgrade/install with a Scale Sound System speaker & open circuit board 2 watt amplifier decoder, what a noticeable difference in sound compared to the OEM, I like it lots. Btw, JT Burke at S.S.S. is knowledgeable and helpful, his vid about tuning a decoder equalizer really helped enhance the sound.
You’re so right! Love to watch and listen to the comparisons between stock speakers and the scale sound system speakers! I sure hope the SSS cab mount works in my GP30’s! Thanks for the heads up on the equalizer video, I will check it out!
My thoughts on stress relate to the size of the electronic components. The micro probably uses smaller components packed closer together which would not dissipate heat as well as larger ones on a larger decoder would.
As long as you stay within the ratings either will probably work fine. The larger one would have more reserve capacity though.
Mark
I never noticed, but apparently the Loksound 5 decoder with the 8-pin harness is just their regular 21-pin decoder with wires soldered on to make it useable with the 8-pin harness. You can see the 21 holes in the diagram and in the photo.
You don’t need a “keep alive” if the engine runs well now.
To do all the settings (lights, sounds, etc.) just the way you want them, it may not hurt to invest in a LokProgrammer. One of the great things I find with ESU decoders is the ability to fine-tune things, change function buttons, etc. It can be a lot harder to do more than the basic stuff (choose horn and bell sound) by just changing CVs - especially since there are so many options you can’t just go direct to many CVs, you have to enter two CVs before changing the one you want to change.
Otherwise, you might find a WowSound decoder, with its verbal option settings, easier to work with.
I may need to remove the crew and attach a piece of styrene between the crew mounts. This styrene bridge would prevent a spectacular fail into the drive shaft but will it affect sound? It will be approximately 5mm below the speaker. I plan to discuss with SSS but also want to know your opinion.
