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I want to add sound to my Athearn Dash 9 loco,it is equipped with a digitrax DH163 decoder, considering im on a budget, what are the choice i have ?
I want a decoder with those feature :
-Playable horn(if possible)
-bell
-air drop ( the psshhhhh sound)
-air drop when idle
-engine noise linked with throttle
-startup sound
-compressor sound (accessory)
i do not uderstand how the decoder will know when to play the sound, is it programmed on the same adress as the loco ??
You'll need a sound decoder and a speaker. The best sound I've heard is using a Soundtraxx TSU1000GN (for GE FDL prime mover) and a small speaker, and both fit nicely inside an Athearn Dash 9 or AC4400. I forget who makes the speaker, but it is self contained (has its own box) and only needs to be hooked up. The prices for the Soundtraxx is anywhere from $79 to $109 and the speaker is $12-14. Installation is rather easy. Programming takes a little bit more, and requires a Programming Track Booster.
The GN will fit. The GN suffix is a board type decoder, as opposed to a chip decoder that plugs into the wiring harness like your DH163. The GN replaces the board, and thus gives you some more space in your shell.
The PTB-100 is a programming track booster that looks like a large computer chip card. I run a Zephyr, but other guys who run Super Chief have it, because it has some features that you don't get with your command station. I can program (ops mode) horn, bell, etc., but I can't program the address without the PTB.
If you're going to do one locomotive, then it would be more cost effective to have someone do it for you, and pay the $20-$50 for the install (shop around). If you are going to upgrade all or most of your locos, then buying a PTB-100 is recommended.
