i am installing a older Soundtraxx sound decoder in a Proto engine. Having trouble getting the sound to work. I am using a newer sugar cube speaker and have tried it with and without the capacitor that came with the decoder. I also had trouble with the 680 ohm resistor that came with the decoder causing the lights to be very dim. I changed this to a 180 ohm resistor that helps with this. Any words of wisdom?
I have to assume you have the older DSD decoder in yellow shrink. I have some and work just fine with an eight ohm speaker and baffle.
I use a 1k resistor for LED’s which allows 9 ma current and look fine.
What does your loco use, LED or light bulb?
Rich
It is the older decoder. I am using the bulbs that came in the engine since the instructions with the decoder does not recommend LED’s. I did try them but they burn at a low level when on. Depending on the direction of the engine, the corresponding LED burns at a higher level. Did you use the capacitor on the speaker that they include with the decoder?
I used the cap. The decoder puts out a DC voltage also so the cap prevents the DC from getting to the speaker, though I have run it both ways. That is why it is a bipolar cap.
The newer SoundTraxx do not need the cap for the speaker. They use a different cap for sound stay alive in the present SoundTraxx decoders.
I have used the older decoders for LED’s. I just put in a 1k resistor. Usually standard for LED’s for most people. Maybe your loco had a resistor already before you added your own resistor.
By the way, SoundTraxx has stopped producing the present Tsunami line. If you want any, get to your LHS.
Rich