Mystery Decoder - Bachmann 2-6-6-2

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I recently purchased a Bachmann 2-6-6-2 from eBay. Although not factory installed, the loco has a Digitrax DH123 in it with a mystery sound decoder (hooked in series) also attached. I do not know the brand of the sound decoder since it is wrapped (hard sheel heat shrink) in solid white plastic, but I want to configure the decoder. There are only three sounds as far as I know; bell, whistle, coupler. I need to boost the overall volume or individually. This decoder clearly includes sound for an articulated locomotive, but I can’t seem to find a match in anything I have heard on the internet (still looking).

How do I figure out what kind of sound decoder I have? I removed the plastic cover from the sound decoder just over the main chip on the board and “LST” is written on the chip. Does that help? I thought LokSound, but I couldn’t program it based on LokSound CVs. Should I remove the rest of the plastic wrap? (I have hesitated since I don’t want to cut any wires and I can’t replace it).

I am a relative rookie to the decoder world. I have installed them in older locos so i have a lay of the land, but I do not know enough about the brands.

2

Post a photo or two.

Rich

3

NO do not remove the plastic. It helps hold the heat sink to the board in some cases. Do NOT remove it.

If you can disconnect it from the DH123 and stick the decoder track leads on the programming track it will give you a MFG ID and a Model ID.

4

With dual decoders in a loco, they are connected usually in parallel as far as the red and black wires are concerned. I have done this.

Below is a link to a site that will tell you what the manufacture and version of your decoder is. I do this on the progrm track.

http://00200530.pdl.pscdn.net/002/00530/MRH04/DCC%20Shortcuts%20Card.pdf

There is a possibility you have an older SoundTraxx DSX decoder. Sound only decoder.

Go to the below link. Store the link in Favorites and do some reading.

http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/soundtraxx/dsx.htm

Rich

5

I am quite sure you have the SoundTraxx DSX decoder. Do a Google search for those three words together. This decoder has the white shrink like yours.

Rich

6

And the winner is…

SoundTraxx DSX decoder

Now to find the CV list.

7

I suppose I’m not sure whether I’m programming the DH123 or the DSX. Do I need to remove the DSX and program it directly???

8

Program one and then the other. No idea on how difficult this will be as I have no idea of what the install looks like. I believe both decoders have the 9 pin JST connector so you can unplug the decoders.

The DSX you have to cut back the shrink just enough to unplug the connector. Take your time. SoundTraxx says it is ok to do this.

I programmed a Digitrax DZ125 with a SoundTraxx LC decoder about a year ago and I think that is what I did. I only have one loco like this and have not run it for a while.

Check Bruce’s link again and see if he says anything about programming both decoders when using the DSX decoder. I am not at home right now.

Don’t forget to store the links in Favorites. I have read many times that people where sent a link and read the link but never saved it. They had trouble finding it again.

You can even copy the text of of forum messa

9

Pretty sure most if not all of the sound control CVs are outside the range used by the DZ decoder. The ones they share like address and CV29 are ones you’d want programmed the same anyway. I was able to program my drawbar coupled FT set all at once with no problem - the A unit is pwoered and has a TCS DP2X decoder, the B unit is also powered and has a Tsunami decoder.

–Randy

10

You should be able to find a DSX decoder manual on the SoundTraxx web site. None of the CVs used in it are the same as any of the CVs used by the Digitrax decoder, so there is no need to disconnect the DSX for programming.

11

OK - just tested some CVs and all is well. Thank you all for all the help!!!

[:D]