Hey guys, I'm back. I lost my favorite hobby partner, friend, and Dad last month... wasn't sure I could/would continue without him. Anyway, I'm installing tsunami decoder in DCC 4-4-0. Was wondering what all those diodes, resistors, etc are doing on the circuit board that I've been suggested to plug the decoder into. Is it ok to keep those in place?? I ordered the 8 pin to 9pin adapter as well as a few 8-pin nmra connectors from litchfield, the latter in case I decide I don't want to cut the covering on the new decoder. I've seen a few articles on the web where people are doing similar swaps, but unclear as to whether or not to remove components from existing board. Thanks for any advice or tips.

Just thought I'd ask 

   Well, I already loved the way the tsunami sounded, but wanted to tinker, and couldn't get over the "quarter sized" speaker or the little speaker "enclosures" in the sound equipped loco's!! I'm guessing the enclosures come from the fact that these sound systems are also in "diesels" and such that don't have a nice "sealed" enclosure that a tender naturally creates. First experiment was just removing said enclosure and opening up grill area of speaker. BIG difference!! Might have stopped there, but the lil' spkr was "clipping" with the whistle sound, just a little, but I could hear it. So installed a hi-bass QSI (31mm). It was a tight fit in that lil tender with the two decoders, and required the removal of the mounting "posts" to make room. I also opened top of tender a little and allowed some more room under the coal load. Results: Wow! Gone is that "tinny" sound that sounded like a "little plastic tender"! Much more "bark" from the chuffs, and no more "clipping" from whistle! Now to find and play with the EQ settings! I have a feeling that will REALLY get the most out of her!! Nice upgrade, big improvement! Now to quiet down her drive train (see other post), and install cam chuff!! Cheers.

Norm

Greetings.
   Waiting for my order from Litchfield (should be here today). As I stated, getting ready to install new decoder. She originally had the bachmann/tsunami decoder, but I transplanted all that into the 4-4-0 (Wow what a difference that made). I'm guessing, but checking, that the new decoder is "stand alone" and I wont be needing any of the circuitry that came with the loco? Maybe the 8 pin connector? My first new install here, as the 4-4-0 swap was just that (a swap), only had to solder wheel pick-up wires. Guess I should also go back into the 4-4-0 to retrieve that "nifty" back headlight harness (does somebody sell that). I'm all "ears" if someone can give me any new ideas or hints, please do. Anybody putting these decoders in the loco?? It's the TSU-1000, so it's probably going to be too big. Also doing exhaust cam, and found some nice "how to" info from different forums and clinics online. As soon as any of this happens, I'll post a follow-up. Thanks to all.

Norm

   Well, transfered the tsunami decoder from my 4-6-0 to my 4-4-0 with success. I didn't get my order from Litchfield yet (bigger better speakers and more), but... I took the speaker "grill" on the bottom of tender and opened it up using a dremel (removed all "holes"), leaving basically just a mounting ring to keep that tiny speaker in place. I also did NOT put the speaker "enclosure" back on. Just these two mods made a big difference in sound as there is now no more restriction in front of speaker, and a nice "cabinet" (tender body) for the speaker to work it's magic!! Much more "full" sound... I can't wait for my "Hi Bass" 1.22" dia speaker to come in!! I'll be putting it under the coal load facing up and drilling hundreds of holes in the load for the sound to come out. Will seal the bottom of the tender up as well. As for the 4-6-0... new TSU-1000 going in it with a 1.57" (40 mm) square "HIGH BASS" speaker. Should sound (and run) amazing!! Ordered "cam kits" to experiment with (to syncronize chuff) as well. I'll report when complete. As for now, I'm happy to have my 4-4-0 back "in service"!!

Norm

Greetings,
         
               Ordered a couple of soundtraxx's cam/wiper kits for my 4-4-0 and 4-6-0. Doesn't seem too hard (logically), although perhaps physically challenging given the small driver diams. Hope to do this without removing the drivers also. Any tips, hints or concerns... please help me out. The "auto exaust" isn't cutting it for my favorite fellow railroader (Dad). We used to play with early sound using "PFM" back in the day... anybody remember them??  Anyway, I'll post my results when finished.

Norm II

Greetings,

   Brand new to On30, DCC and sound (been an exciting week)!! I purchased a DCC 4-6-0 with tsunami sound and love it!! I do think the sound system can be a lot better though. I can't believe that tiny speaker in that HUUGE tender!! Also bought a "non-sound" 4-4-0. She didn't run as well out of the box, with slow speeds a little jerky and needing "notch 6" of 28 to get moving reliably. She's a little noisy too (gear mesh maybe). The 4-6-0 ran great with "notch 1" of 128 getting her moving easily and sloooowly. Anyway, on a whim, I decided to just switch tenders just for experimenting. Wow!! The 4-4-0 runs perfectly at slow speeds, just as the 4-6-0 did... and the 4-6-0... not so good. So I learned, as many here probably already know, that the decoder makes a big difference!! So I'm taking tsunami out of 4-6-0 and transplanting into 4-4-0, while I get a new Tsunami tsu-1000 from soundtraxx for the 10 wheeler. Also ordered upgraded "extended bass" (and bigger) speakers for both. I'll update with progress, and if I can be of help to anyone... just ask!!

Norm II

   Greetings all!! Nice board!! Well, like subject says: She's pretty noisy, especially on my 1" x 4" x 8' test track (acts like a soundboard). Is this normal? Perhaps some lube and a little break-in time?? Thanks for any help. She's not sound equipped yet, but taking tsunami decoder out of my new 4-6-0 (runs like a gem) and transplanting into 4-4-0 with upgraded spkr. Thanks again!!

Norm II