I am staring an S-scale layout, and I want to put sound decoders in my locos. I only know of one respected manufacturer, Soundtraxx, but their decoders seem like they might not be a good fit for me–one type is plug ‘n’ play, and I don’t have that kind of loco, the second type is a separate sound decoder and not a motor decoder, and I’d prefer not to have to buy and install two decoders per loco, and the last type is only rated to 1 amp, which seems to be cutting it a little close for S-scale. So, any tips on a. manufacturers, b. wrong ideas I may have about Soundtraxx decoders, or c. anything else with a glimmer of relevance, will be very welcome. Thanks!
Well this doesn’t help you at the moment but Soundtrax is soon to come out with a 2 amp version of thier Tsunami as well as some higher amp models good for all the way up to G scale. When I don’t know? They corrently only have steam but a full line of Diesel is projected. Digitrax motor decoders have a 1 1/2 amp rating not sure how much S scale locos draw. Hope this helps.
Terry [8D]
Soundtraxx makes a G-scale sound system that is separate from the motor decoder, called the SoundTraxx Sierra. Another company called Phoenix makes a separate sound system that fits into O and G scale.
Digitrax, NCE, Lenz, and others make O and G scale decoders with 3 or 4 Amp motor drive circuits.
I have seen S-scale steam engines with sound systems in them, but I don’t know who made them.
Whether any of these would fit inside S scale is going to depend on whether you’re modeling steam or diesel, and is something you’d have to ask Tony’s, Loy’s Toys, Litchfield Station, or some other decoder dealer/installer about.
I am an S scaler also, although I am not involved in DCC. There is a yahoo group for S scale trains that I am a member of that has several members using DCC. I could ask them for you, or my recommendation is that you join and enjoy the fellowship of fellow S scalers. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale
Randy thejohnsons@mchsi.com
I have installed a number of the generic Soundtraxx decoders in various S Helper SW’s and the American Models GP35 & U25 (?). I don’t remember the exact decoder number, but its wrapped in the yellow special tape. Most of the installs used the PFM speaker in the neat little metal enclosure. I have not had any issues and the loco’s are running on three different layouts. I had to remove some of the plastic mounting projections in the hood area of the SW’s, but that was easy. I used the TTX Rampmeter to check amp draw and none of the loco’s are going anywhere near the decoder limits. I have installed two LokSound decoders in two of the River Raisn brass Zephyrs and they are working fine - those engines have two powered trucks. I may have a picture or two available.