dcc & sound gp 40 diesel ???

[union pacific 844]

im putting dcc & sound in my bachmann gp 40 diesel  is this the right decoder for the job http://www.ebay.com/itm/TSUNAMI-SOUND-DECODER-EMD-645-TSU-1000-P-N-827109-/170952196975?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item27cd8b836f ? and what speaker will fit ?

[richg]

Look at what SoundTraxx recommends. Store the link in favorites. It is a light board type decoder, not the shrink wrapped type so that might make a difference for fitting inside yours.

http://www.soundtraxx.com/choose/step3.php?t=ho&s=Bachmann

Litchfield Station sells for under $100. The have very good service. I Strongly suggest using them instead of ebay.
Take time to look though their site. They sell speakers.

Even if you want the shring wrapped, still buy from Litchfield. They are a trusted DCC company.

http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php?cat=116

Specs for the GP40 prime mover if you are curious about the engine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_GP40

Rich

[richg]

I just looked at the GP40 diagram and that is going to be a tight fit. No idea on what space is available. Not sure SoundTraxx looked this up either.

Rich

[Tom M.]

I have done a couple of these for clients.  I used the Tsunami AT1000 model with the EMD second generation sound set.  I soldered the track pickup and motor connection wires to the appropriate pads on the decoder board.  I insulated the decoder from the metal weight by using a layer of Paton tape.  Depending on whether the loco has bulbs or Leeds, you may need to also install current limiting resistors.

The biggest issue was finding space for the speaker.  I had to machine away a portion of the weight at the rear of the loco.  This was not a trivial task.  I used a small oval speaker and enclosure.

Good luck,

Tom

[union pacific 844]

ok my GP40 has stock  dcc installed  if that helps any  how much would this cost me if some here did it for me im really bad at wiring stuff

[richg]

ok my GP40 has stock  dcc installed  if that helps any  how much would this cost me if some here did it for me im really bad at wiring stuff

I will recommend Tony's Trains. I see them every year doing installs at the two day train show in West Springfield, MA. I have bought DCC stuff from them in the past.

http://www.tonystrains.com/products/tteinstall.htm

Rich