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I have a friend who just puts a train up during Christmas for about a month. I gave him a couple of diesel locos, and now I want to put some sound in them for him. What inexpensive sound system could I put on these locos that wouldn't involve DCC control??...as he only has a DC power pack.
I bought a few of these MRC Sound Decoders (#1867) at a great sale price without really realizing exactly what they were. Are these decoders both sound and DCC?? I'm a little confused by their description:
"New, Low-Cost, HO Diesel Sound Decoder
The new, universal fit, HO Diesel 1867 decoder comes with one-Prime Mover sound, one-bell, and one-horn, yet is a full 28 NMRA function power and sound decoder. This is not just a simple sound only decoder. This new compact unit includes a 28mm full fidelity speaker, has 1.5 amp capability and its control functions and generic sounds will provide a new level of authenticity and value for the railroader on a budget."
The vast majority of modern DCC/sound decoders are dual mode. They will run fine on DC only system and your friend will get the sound he desires with your install help. Plus if he ever expands to DCC he will be all set there as well. For a little less money you can get DC sound only units but then you don't have the option for future DCC upgrades.
-Art
Aren't most of the 'aftermarket' decoders just DCC and sound, not dual mode? Don't most of the dual mode decoders come in the new product locos that need to appeal to both groups, DC & DCC??
And aren't most dual mode decoders fairly expensive?
That cheap MRC decoder I mentioned above is not dual mode, I'm quite sure?
Aren't most of the 'aftermarket' decoders just DCC and sound, not dual mode? Don't most of the dual mode decoders come in the new product locos that need to appeal to both groups, DC & DCC??
And aren't most dual mode decoders fairly expensive?
That cheap MRC decoder I mentioned above is not dual mode, I'm quite sure?
Nope, even the "cheap" dcc/sound decoders have dual mode. Here is an inexpensive example Digitrax SDH164D it costs $39.99 at model train stuff.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Digitrax-HO-SDH164D-Wired-Mobile-Sound-Decoder-p/dig-sdh164d.htm
Here is the PDF instruction manual:
http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/SDH164D.pdf
Look at the last paragraph on page 9 "Digitrax SoundFX decoders will operate on smooth DC power. The sound will not start until about 5 volts of track power and there will be no start up sounds."
Hope this helps.
"Cheap sound" is better than no sound in my opinion. I have 6 of these decoders in various engines with different sound schemes.
-Art
You are correct, the MRC #1867 is sound only...no dcc controller chip in there.
-Art
Thanks for that info above Artieiii.
That is what I thought that is was only sound, but some other source that suppossely sold lots of decoders told me it was both?
i think that it does control the motor and lights, the functions are limited. i think it is the one that is in my gp30. i believe it is a full function decoder. how many wires are attached?
So we agree it produces sound and DCC motion.......
.....But is it dual mode, both DC and DCC??
So we agree it produces sound and DCC motion.......
.....But is it dual mode, both DC and DCC??
The description does not mention this. I looked on the MRC site to see if I could find a user manual but I don't see it. If you have the instruction manual it should say if it will operate in DC mode. Sorry.
-Art
I do not know what i did with the manual, but if i recall it would run on dc, but it was not automatic, you had to go and change a cv value. you can put it on dc track and it will make noise.
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