Sound Installation

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’ve decided to try and install a Soundtraxx decoder in my FTB unit, and I need some advice.

It is a Bachmann FTB, powered, with a DCC decoder already installed. I got a DSX decoder for it.

As far as I can tell, you really just need to solder a few connections and fit the decoder into the body (it does fit). I have two 1" speakers for it. For the speakers, I need some advice on where to put them in this unit. Where would the best place to mount them be?

Note: I do have baffles to put the speakers into.

2

I probably should keep my mouth shut as I haven’t put a decoder in a Bachman “B” but I have put them in Stewart, Genesis, and Intermountian. Just solder the two power wires to the wires comming up from the trucks and put the speakers where their is room. In the Genesis I put the speaker where the cab would have been had it been an “A” unit. In diesels I like to use the 1" square speaker as it fits better.

Bob

3

The baffles I used(P2K FA1) fits snug into the roof of the loco. It seals the back of the
speaker and gives a good sound. Is this the baffle that you have?:

Dave

4

dave9999: So your speakers are firing downward?

So even if there is no openings/holes in the shell, the speaker sound still comes through the shell?

5

Yes, to both.

The fact that there are no holes in the shell gives it a deeper sound. And with the volume turned up,
but not all the way up, it sounds good.

It’s not as loud as my BLI Hudson, but I don’t like my loco’s blarring. I have installed sound in my
Athearn Genesis 2-8-2 and I drilled a lot of tiny holes in the coal load(as recommended by
Soundtraxx) and it is no louder than the FA1. Infact, I think the FA1 has a better quality of sound. The
2-8-2 seams to be a little too high pitched. With small speakers, you need to do all you can to
get some bass out of them. Good luck, Dave

BTW, the FA1 is a NYC unit.[:)]

6

Dave did u make these baffels? or did u buy them,I have a set of fa’s with sound and i never really could get good volume out of them.The way you mounted the speakers turns the whole shell into somewhat of a bass reflector.If you did make them what material did u use.Thanks any info would be appr. Terry

7

Terry,
I bought them at my LHS. I can’t recall who makes them, but they work. The baffle comes
in an easy to assemble kit and fits perfectly if the roof of the FA. I’ll try to research it for you.
If I can’t find it online, I’ll be going back the the hobby shop soon and I’ll check there. Dave

8

Thanks Dave BTW nice job on the install i bet that Alco sounds great… If you can get me the name of the manf would be greatly appr.Terry.