Add Sound to a Athearn Blue Box Loco


B

bigB

Active Member
I am going to add a Digitrax DH163AT wireless decoder to a C44-9w blue box athearn I have. Does anybody make a sound decoder additionally that I could add or am I stuck just with dcc motion and no sound with this loco?
 
Yes, some soldering will be required.
Here's a good place to start:

http://www.mcor-nmra.org/Publications/Articles/Athearn_TuneUp.html#TRUCKS

It's a good idea to make sure that the loco is running well to start. In addition, it is imperative that you ISOLATE the bottom brush on the motor from the frame. This can be done by removing the motor and cutting off the small tab that rests against the frame. Then you need to solder a wire from that brass brush holder on the motor to go to the decoder. Use some kapton tape (very thin tape, you should be able to get some where you buy the decoder) to insure that the motor does NOT contact the frame on the bottom.

I agree 100%, go with QSI or try a diesel Tsunami. Digitrax sound comes with generic sound schemes and you'd need a programmer to change it.

I've found the hardest part of the install to be coming up with a place for the BIGGEST speaker I can fit in the shell. Make sure you baffle the speaker correctly or the sound will be weak.

This is an example of an old bluebox. It's not QSI, but you can get the idea. This was one of my early installs, before QSI was available.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i7SRcgqVeU

Look at the other videos too, there's a factory installed QSI and a Digitrax soundbug. At least you can hear them.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks for the helpful responses. Im just getting into DCC, so I am evalating what to do with some of these engines.
 
Can't go Tsunami yet, no GE sounds available.

By the way, Summit Custom Cuts makes a speaker enclosure for the Dash 9 and AC4400 from Athearn...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.



Back
Top