Digitrax decoder and sound install

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BigGRacing

BigGRacing

Aka. Gary Russell
Good morning, wondering if anyone has any suggestions for which Digitrax decoder and sound set up I should consider for my HO scale Mehano 2-10-2 steam locomotive and possibly a reasonably priced speaker set up?

I have a guy from the club that will coach me through my first install, I just have to get a decoder.
 


I like this one, but some members in the club here said that the sound isnt very good?

Screenshot 2023-01-04 080338.png


and I am correct in assuming that at 1 amp, I could only have 3 trains running on my 3 amp Zephyr power supply at a time?
 
Once you install it in your locomotive, you put it on the programming track using JMRI and you can just go through the menus selecting and trying what you think you might like.
As for the amp draw, that would be absolute peak stall current. That means, if you ran your loco up to full speed then held it in place so the wheels couldn't turn, you would see the full current draw. Typically, the loco would prolly pull about .3 maybe .4 amps with everything running.
If I were selecting a decoder, I would use either Tsunami or ESU. With ESU you would need their LokProgrammer to fully program the decoder.
The Tsunami can be programmed with JMRI but their instructions leave a lot to be desired. Ya just have to tweek and try it to see how it sounds.
 
BigGRacing said:
Good morning, wondering if anyone has any suggestions for which Digitrax decoder and sound set up I should consider for my HO scale Mehano 2-10-2 steam locomotive and possibly a reasonably priced speaker set up?

I have a guy from the club that will coach me through my first install, I just have to get a decoder.
Click to expand...
If this is a first install for you, go with XLSystems. Very inexpensive, includes speaker and reasonable volume.
I prefer these over DIgitrax in my steamers.
xlsystemsdcc.com

HO DCC Steam Sound Decoder w/ 28mm speaker w/ baffle XL 0001911 - XL Systems Inc

Contact us at [email protected] if you have any question. For oversea shipment please tell us the details of your address in the following ways: Street name: City name: Zip code: State name: We will not ship without proper addrsss 10 types of synchronized chuff sounds with double chuff enabling...
xlsystemsdcc.com
 
How is the support for the xl system decoder?
OK, just did a quick Google on it. Looks like a makeover of the MRC decoders.
My experience with MRC was very disappointing. Now they pop back up with another name.
Fool me once... .
 
Last edited:
You got it backwards, XLSystems always built the MRC, now selling under their name. I just ordered another one to replace a failed one year old Digitrax that stopped 'chuffing". I'd say,pick something, test it out every which way, make sure you like it before converting a fleet.
 
dennis461 said:
If this is a first install for you, go with XLSystems. Very inexpensive, includes speaker and reasonable volume.
I prefer these over DIgitrax in my steamers.
xlsystemsdcc.com

HO DCC Steam Sound Decoder w/ 28mm speaker w/ baffle XL 0001911 - XL Systems Inc

Contact us at [email protected] if you have any question. For oversea shipment please tell us the details of your address in the following ways: Street name: City name: Zip code: State name: We will not ship without proper addrsss 10 types of synchronized chuff sounds with double chuff enabling...
xlsystemsdcc.com
Click to expand...
Thank you Dennis, I am going to try the Digitrax first and then will try the universal one next.
 


D&J RailRoad said:
Once you install it in your locomotive, you put it on the programming track using JMRI and you can just go through the menus selecting and trying what you think you might like.
As for the amp draw, that would be absolute peak stall current. That means, if you ran your loco up to full speed then held it in place so the wheels couldn't turn, you would see the full current draw. Typically, the loco would prolly pull about .3 maybe .4 amps with everything running.
If I were selecting a decoder, I would use either Tsunami or ESU. With ESU you would need their LokProgrammer to fully program the decoder.
The Tsunami can be programmed with JMRI but their instructions leave a lot to be desired. Ya just have to tweek and try it to see how it sounds.
Click to expand...
Awesome help today DJ, thank you!
 
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