Hi all. I’m new to this hobby so forgive me if this question is somewhat naive.
I bought an Atlas SD35 that is DCC ready with the NMRA 8 pin plug. The exploded diagram shows mounts for two speakers. My question: What decoder should I buy to install in this locomotive? Are the speakers on decoders different sizes?
I went to the Atlas web site for info but could not find anything difinitive.
Please help.
Thanks,
Rich
Rich, yes the speakers come in different sizes and shapes.
What “DCC” system do you have?
Look on their web site for a decoder that will fit your loco and a sound unit with a speaker that fits.
Have you measured the speaker enclosures in your loco?
Call Atlas or shoot them an email and ask them what they recommend for use in your loco.
I have the NCE PowerCab. Their web site recommends the DASR decoder. However this decoder does not have the 8 pin plug.
I sent an e-mail to Atlas three days ago and I have yet to receive a response.
I have not measuered the speaker enclosures, yet. I suppose that’s the next step if I need to order the speakers separately.
Thanks for your response.
Rich
Try Tonys Train Exchange. They will tell you what to get.
This is a good time to establish a relationship with a Local Hobby Shop, or LHS. Bring in the engine and see what they recommend. If you get shrugs, dumb looks or a finger pointed at a rack of speakers, go somewhere else.
Model Railroader has listings of shops in the back. They are actually paid ads, I’m sure, but being in the listing means a place takes itself seriously as a train shop.
To me, adding sound to a locomotive is worth the expense and effort.
Many decoders will plug into the 8-pin plug on the board.
The DA-SR is a board replacement decoder. The factory board comes out, and the DA-SR gets wired in, snapping into the motor mounts.
Some Atlas SD35s came from the factory with QSI sound and DCC. If you want sound, locating one that came with it from the factory would probably be the best way to do it.
MRC and three of the Digitrax diesel sound decoders come with speakers, but most don’t. This is because you may need to use different speakers depending on your situation - for example, a first-generation EMD sound decoder in an F or E unit will probably have room for a 1" speaker, whereas a GP or switcher may only be able to fit a 1/2" speaker. Either speaker will work well if the speaker is in the proper enclosure.
Most model engines that either come with sound or are designed with a place for a speaker (like a Kato AC 4400 or SD-38) are set up for 1" speakers BTW.
Thanks everybody for your responses. Atlas finally responded and said the speakers should be 30 mm round. I contacted Tonys Train Exchange ordered a Soundtraxx decoder and 2 speakers only to learn they are backlogged and won’t ship for several weeks. (sigh) I think I’ll get to know my LHS this weekend to see what they can do for me.
Thanks again all.
Rich