I just purchased this loco at my local shop. The Amazon product description says it has sound on board, no decoder. This locomotive says "(DCC ready)", so I know it does not have a decoder.
It runs fine DC. But I'd like to know if I add a sound decoder, and run it DCC, will I get sound?
Thanks, Ted
It can't have factory sound if it has no decoder. Assuming your locomotive is DCC ready you will need to add both a sound decoder as well as a speaker and baffle. Then you will get sound,and if you run it on DCC you can control all the sounds.
Thanks, ACY. This is where the confusion comes in, as at Amazon it says:
"DCC - Sound Value equipped for speed, direction, lighting, 16-bit polyphonic sound
All-wheel drive, precision can motor, and Fine scale details
Performs best on 18" radius curves or greater
E-Z Mate Couplers
HO Scale 1:87 "
Amazon often has incorrect product descriptions or images or other inaccuracies. Bachmann makes the S4 locomotive both as DCC ready and as DCC equipped with sound. If you bought one that already has sound then obviously it has sound and you need not do anything else. If you bought a DCC ready locomotive then you must purchase both a sound decoder and speaker and baffle to have sound. Those are only two possibilities. You would have noticed if your locomotive has sound as it makes random sounds on DC analog operation.
If you want sound, you can use a Tsunami 2 or econami, Lok Sound, or WOW. Bachamann sells the sound value decoder as well. You'll need a speaker and enclosure. I used the enclosure that comes on the sound value loco. Joe
enclosure: http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_573&products_id=7121
sound value decoder: http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_573&products_id=10483
The sound value is a stripped down SoundTRaxx decoder. If you're on a budget, it's a good way to get into sound.
Thanks all for the clarifications!
- Ted
Quote from: ACY on May 01, 2017, 06:45:20 PM
Amazon often has incorrect product descriptions or images or other inaccuracies. Bachmann makes the S4 locomotive both as DCC ready and as DCC equipped with sound. If you bought one that already has sound then obviously it has sound and you need not do anything else. If you bought a DCC ready locomotive then you must purchase both a sound decoder and speaker and baffle to have sound. Those are only two possibilities. You would have noticed if your locomotive has sound as it makes random sounds on DC analog operation.
What kind of "random sounds?" Thanks, Ted
While I'm here, any suggestions as to how to remove the "shell" so I can access the decoder location? Other than, "very carefully", any more specific suggestions would help. The diagram is not too helpful. Looking at it, and at the locomotive, it seems like I should be prying the sides away from the body near where the hand rails attach. But that could be wrong. Maybe removing the long screws for the couplers is what I should do. - Ted
Honestly taking off the shell is the easiest part of installing a decoder. After you install the decoder and speaker it will be a very tight fit, or will not fit if you choose the wrong decoder or speaker. The locomotive with sound will have a bell and horn that will go off like the bell will ring when the locomotive is traveling slowly.
Quote from: ACY on May 01, 2017, 10:05:05 PM
Honestly taking off the shell is the easiest part of installing a decoder. After you install the decoder and speaker it will be a very tight fit, or will not fit if you choose the wrong decoder or speaker. The locomotive with sound will have a bell and horn that will go off like the bell will ring when the locomotive is traveling slowly.
That's interesting, but I'd like to know more about taking off the shell. I'm glad it's easy, but do I remove the long screws on the couplers, or do they have nothing to do with prying off the shell? - Ted
Your intuition is correct. Simply remove the couplers. Take out the screws. The coupler boxes should pull right out. Then, the shell will lift right off the frame.
Sometimes things are a little sticky the first time. So, a little gentle wiggling may, or may not, be necessary.
Regards,
Jonathan
Thanks all for the feedback. After re-reading the thread and thinking it over, I decided that I am trying to do things backwards.
I'll return the S4 for one that has the DCC decoder and sound already built in, and use it with DCC. If I ever decide I want to run it DC, then I'll remove the decoder.
Best regards, Ted
The decoders that come pre-installed are "Dual mode". They will run in either DC or DCC mode.
Thanks, Yardmaster!
Does anyone know the pin configuration for the ends of "Black Interconnecting power cable" between the Analog Controller and the E-Z Command Controller?
Ok, now I have a DCC with onboard sound S4. I have a NCE Power Cab starter for my controller. No problem getting the locomotive to run, turn on and off lights, and sound the horn. I thought I had a bell sound, too, but this evening I don't so maybe I imagined it earlier?
That said, I would like to reduce the volume using the CV function, but there seems to be sparse or no information on how to do that either in the Power Cab manual or with the S4.
Any suggestions? Since I have blocks left over from DC, I can turn off the block (and sound of the idling locomotive) but I am curious as to what CV value to change, or if there is a mute function somewhere.
A few bumps along the way getting three locomotives programmed and working, but so far so good.
- Ted
I think function 8 is mute. You should have something listing a few of the basic CVs for the decoder, but if not it can be found online on the Bachmann website. I don't know the CV offhand.
I believe CV128 is the master sound control...0 is mute and 225 is full volume...so if you use the NCE program track mode it should show you what value CV128 is set at, remember that number and then rduce it until the sound is at a volume that you prefer.
Thanks, genetk44!