I have six of the ES44AC NS Heritage locomotives and although I am generally pleased with them I don't like that I am missing many of accessory sounds I get on my Genesis Tsunami decoders like compressors, pop offs, etc.
Is it easy to upgrade these decoders? I have not removed any shells yet, but based on research I believe there is a light board with a 21 pin plug that the SoundValue decoder uses and that the SoundValue decoder could be removed and replaced with a Soundtraxx 885809 21plug in decider.
Is this correct?
I am also looking at a Bachmann E7 with SoundValue. Would the same plan as above work?
Any 21 pin decoder should work.
https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,33489.0.html
The above link will show you my work on the bachmann E-7 Sound Value.
The board, on top of the frame, contains all electronics for the loco, including the sound value decoder. You would have to remove the board from the pick up wires, motor wires, speaker wires, and light wires. You would have to solder those wires to the new decoder. There is no plug for attaching a replacement decoder. A bit more work, but still doable.
Regards,
Jonathan