Sound Decoder for Kato SD40-2

jbinkley60 · December 6, 2008, 10:49am

By “the newer version with the operational ditch lights” you mean the SD40-2 Mid-Production, right?

I have a pair of those and installed the Digitrax DH165K1A decoder and SFX004 “Soundbug” combination. It’s an easy install, easier than some non-sound installs I’ve done.

The SFX004 attaches directly to the underside of the DH165K1A, and the whole assembly drops right in to replace the stock Kato light board You remove the fuel tank and one side of the side sill (very easily done) to install the speaker and route it’s wires. A small bit of double-sided tape attaches the capacitor to the rear end of the weight (above the drive shaft) and you’re done.

The only “problem” is that the SFX004 comes pre-loaded with a steam and an SD38-2 sound scheme. The correct SD40-2 scheme is available from Digitrax, but loading it into the SFX004 requires either a PR2 or PR3 (I have a PR3). If you don’t have access to either of those, perhaps your DCC dealer could load the SD40-2 scheme for you.

HTH,

Steve

I am working on this very configuration but can’t seem to figure out the trick to remove the fuel tank for the speaker mounting. I am hesitant not to break anything. Everything else looks straightforward. I’ve got the PR3 to install the SD40-2 sound file.

jbinkley60 · December 7, 2008, 3:24pm

By “the newer version with the operational ditch lights” you mean the SD40-2 Mid-Production, right?

I have a pair of those and installed the Digitrax DH165K1A decoder and SFX004 “Soundbug” combination. It’s an easy install, easier than some non-sound installs I’ve done.

The SFX004 attaches directly to the underside of the DH165K1A, and the whole assembly drops right in to replace the stock Kato light board You remove the fuel tank and one side of the side sill (very easily done) to install the speaker and route it’s wires. A small bit of double-sided tape attaches the capacitor to the rear end of the weight (above the drive shaft) and you’re done.

The only “problem” is that the SFX004 comes pre-loaded with a steam and an SD38-2 sound scheme. The correct SD40-2 scheme is available from Digitrax, but loading it into the SFX004 requires either a PR2 or PR3 (I have a PR3). If you don’t have access to either of those, perhaps your DCC dealer could load the SD40-2 scheme for you.

HTH,

Steve

I am working on this very configuration but can’t seem to figure out the trick to remove the fuel tank for the speaker mounting. I am hesitant not to break anything. Everything else looks straightforward. I’ve got the PR3 to install the SD40-2 sound file.

To answer my own question I finally found the secret. On the ends of the fuel tank, hidden by the trucks, are tabs that you need to pry up with the point of an Exacto knife that hold the two halves together. Pry them up and the fuel tank comes apart in two pieces.