How hard is it to install DCC and Sound into a new Proto 2000 0-6-0? And, what decoder/speaker/etc. do I need to buy to put in it? I haven’t bought one yet, but now that my passenger station is complete, the time is comming. Or, should I look for one with factory sound? I have put in several non-sound decoders into deisels, and soldering doesn’t bother me.
Thanks,
Jim
Jim, I have a bunch of BLI steam with QSI decoders, and one steam/seven diesels with Loksounds. But I also installed six Soundtrax Tsunamis in steam locos including a LL 0-6-0, and I believe the Small version Tsunami is without a doubt the best choice for you. You can get it and a speaker from Tony’s Trains, (Tony also can advise you well technically), from Loy’s or Litchfield Station. Avoid MRC. The Tsunami has more sounds and more flexibility in using them realistically than the others. If you go this way and want details on my installation, I’ll try to help. Hal
I just (last week) installed a soundtrax DSD 101 decoder in my Proto 0-6-0. Bought it from Tony’s. At $52.00 it was much less expensive than a Tsunami. Also its a plug and play, the only soldering was for the speaker. Real easy. I just ordered a Tsunami for my Bachmann 2-8-0, cost $108.00 plus I’ll have to connect the wiring harness for the plug. I actually spoke to Tony and he made it sound do-able even for someone like me with minimal skills with anything electronic.
That doesn’t sound too bad. I didn’t think it would really be cheaper to buy and install myself. Is the mounting location for the speaker provided in the tender, or do you have to deal with fabricating a speaker encloser?
Jim
I bought mine from my LHS with factory sound. It’s a very nice installation and the whole system sounds terrific. I think I paid about $260 for it.
I also installed a sound decoder by myself in a P1K Alco RS. That was a job, even though that engine is relatively “roomy” under the shell. I had to do significant grinding down of interior weight/structure to fit the speaker in. I’m sure a tender installation is a lot easier, though.
I bought one of the earlier runs of P2K 0-6-0’s on ebay for $99. I love it!! I installed a Tsunami (light steam) decoder and the large oval speaker from Tony’s and it works and sounds great. I removed everything from inside the tender and hard-wired it. The Tsunami and speaker fit with no cutting or mutilation of the tender or frame besides drilling holes in the tender frame for the sound to ooze out.
I did discover the P2K light bulbs must be very low voltage as they smoked as soon as I put the engine on the track the first time. I replaced both bulbs with Miniatronics 16v (?) bulbs and everything is wonderful once again.
Roger
I have one of these, too – it’s a great little engine!
When I got it (June of 2003), there was of course no Tsunami, so I put in a Soundtraxx low-cost that included an oval speaker.
Soon after the Tsunami came out, I replaced the low-cost with the Light Steam verstion and it made a great little engine into a SUPER little engine!
I’ve used some of the DSXs in other engines, and while they’re certainly fine, I would strongly recommend springing for the Tsunami. Especially if you’re going to use it as a switcher, either Regulated Throttle Control or the Short Whistle function alone are well worth the difference in price! Not to mention the hassle of two decoders in one engine – yeah, I’ve done it, but it’s just not a good solution.
I have no connection to Soundtraxx, except as a very satisfied customer (and hoping there’s a diesel version in my lifetime).