Has anyone put sound in a Proto 2000 S-1 switcher? I have four of them, that I would like to put sound in. I have done a number of sound installations in larger locos, but I just don’t see a lot of room in the little S1s. And I’m not sure what kind of sound I would get from a little 1/2 inch speaker. And I think Soundtraxx has discontinued their little DSD 090, mini decoder. With sound in most of my locos now, silence just doesn’t cut it.
I have 2 of them also. Sound would be great but milling the weight out of an already light loco would not be good. We need an N or Z scale sound decoder with alcos prime mover sound.
I would use the Digitrax SDH104k1x+FN04k1x decoder. Spacemouse is sending me 2 little switcher units for sound and this is the decoder I will be using.
David B
There’s a decent amount of free space in the cab of these engines. If you’re willing to sacrifice the see-through cab, you might be able to get a speaker in there. If not, a bit of milling around the cab space might give you a big enough space without sacrificing much weight.
Side note: If you’re going to take this thing apart and do surgery, get rid of the silly light pipe and instead mount the cab-end headlight in the cab roof right behind the lens. As delivered, that light is little more than decoration. It’s too dim to cast a beam.
I’ve put an ESU micro in the P2K S-1.
That’ll work, but you might want to baffle that speaker for better sound.
David B
Thanks Faraway. Good pic. That speaker does appear to be in a shallow baffle. How is the sound? Has anyone used the little 1/2 and 3/4 inch speakers?
I have used ESU Baldwin sound decoders in my Stewart Baldwins. I used the twin 1/2 inch speakers that are connected together in the rectangular sound enclosure. I split the sound enclosure in half and mounted one speaker and 1/2 enclosure in cab and the other in the car body. It sounds great, it is loud. I am extremely happy with ESU. ESU speakers do not require an outside capacitor as does SoundTrax and Digitrax
I am interested in the Alco conversion next and will follow this thread carefully. What works in the P2K will possibly work in the ATLAS switchers. Can someone tell us how well the ESU Alco switcher sound is, how about horns, etc?
Thanks, Chris
I’d like to see photos of your Baldwin installation, if possible. Sounds (pun intended?) like something I’d like to try someday.
BTW, I installed a Soundtraxx DSD-090 in my Atlas Alco switcher some time ago, and (except for the minor motor hum) have been very pleased with the outcome.
Tom
My layout is in a small room and the sound volume is adjusted down to about 25%. Therefore it works fine without.
If you have a larger layout and want to have some power sound you will need a baffle. If the baffle has a thin bottom it should be easy to fit.
Baffeling doesnt just help with volume, but also quality of sound. A better baffel will give you better sounds all all volume levels.
David B
David,
I looked at the Digitrax website and did not see any ALCO “S” switcher sound decoders. I may also have missed it given it is not the easiest site to navigate. Please let us know if they have these.
Hobo, the ESU is a good decoder, are you planning on the 251 6 cyl engine for S5, S6? The 539 was the 6 cyl used in the little S1 and S2. I did not see the 6 cyl 539 listed. I’m not sure who could tell the difference in which case you could always ask to hear their sound equipped S1 if they complain.
As mentioned earlier you will probably need the twin 0.63 inch round speakers mounted in a twin chamber rectangular speaker enclosure both from ESU, P/N 50447. For my Baldwin I cut the speaker housing in half, filed a lot of plastic from sides and bottom and wired them per the instructions, no external capacitor required when using ESU. One speaker in the cab and one speaker in the car body and it looks like I will have to do the same on the ATLAS S-1’s, maybe even a little milling as well. I have not looked at my Reading P2K S-1 yet but think this strategy might also work.
Tony’s Train Exchange is a great source of the ESU Lok Sound decoders and speakers. The Micro ESU may work as this P2K is not a current hog.
The digitrax decoder is programable. You download the appropriate sounds.