I have just fitted a Soundtraxx DSD-AT100LC decoder into a Kato AC4400 loco everything has gone fine accept for the lighting . The paper info that came with the decoder says that it is not recommended to fit LED’s as they could glow faint when the function is turned off. That’s O.K. I understand that this is a possibility. However, Soundtraxx website has a complete guide to fitting this decoder into this loco and the pictures show the LED’s being installed,so I did fit them as instructed and , yes they do glow faint when turned off and also the rear one flashes when the loco is moving forward with the front lights on full.
How then can I replace the LED’s with conventional bulbs , do I just wire them via the terminals that the LED’s are wired to or do I need to make other connections that are not mentioned in the Soundtraxx papers. ??? Any thoughts or observations would be welcome … Thankyou in advance CPPedler.
CPPedler,
You should be able to replace the LEDs with 12-16 volt bulbs directly. They should not need a dropping resistor if they are rated for this voltage. If you use 1.5 volt bulbs, you will need a dropping resistor for each bulb (not a common one on the common wire).
I have a Soundtraxx decoder with LEDs and while it does not glow faintly when off, the rear LED flashes intermittently when going forward. Not too many folks notice, however.
Mark C.
I found the same, I have just put up with the problem of the rear light flashing.
A mate of mine, who is an electronics whizz, suggested a zener diode in series with theLED, zeners don’t conduct until a certain voltage is reached.
Do what I’ve done… order some BLI loco’s instead!!!
Ken.
Thanks Guys , I guess I’ll just stick with the LED’s it’s not a big deal and yes Ken, I like BLI loco’s too , can’t wait till the AC6000 appears!!! CPPedler
CPPPedler,
Just to let you know, the new Tsuanmi decoder is designed so as to not have the problem with the rear LED blinking or coming on when not wanted.
10-4!
Thanks, AntonioFP45, I can’t wait to get a couple of these Tsunami decoders just to see if they’re as good as everyone says. Are they Loco Specific and if so are most diesel types going to be available, do you know ??? CPPedler.
Last I heard, it will be the same type of offerings as with current sound.
In otherwords EMD, GE, ALCO, and Fairbanks Morse diesel engine sounds with 3 different horn choices to select from. The major difference being that the sounds now will be much more clear and dynamic, like the QSI sounds. Choices could change as the actual Spring 05 production date approaches.
I really do hope that the Tsunami will be a success and not turn out to be a lot of hype! I’m a-waiting!
This is good news, I was wanting to fit a sound decoder into a Kato SD90 MAC but I believe that the sound is diferent to a normal EMD loco due to AC traction… we shall have to wait with antisipation. Of course there are so many people waiting for this decoder that we probably won’t see one for quite a while… have to get in the pecking order, I guess… CPPedler
I installed a 14V with the Soundtrax with good results.
It’s not really the AC traction that makes it sound different - it’s that it has a completely different diesel motor. The 90MACs have a 265 series diesel which is a 4-stroke engine, all prior EMD’s up to the 710 series were and are 2-stroke.
–Randy
Thanks for that info Randy, you obviously know more about them, than I do. I wonder if Soundtraxx will take it on board with the Tsunami, I hope they do… CPPedler.