Digitrax Decoders

[Toolbelt]

I'm planning to convert my old Athearn BB GP50 to DCC with sound, and am pretty much settled on the Digitrax mainly because I'm trying to stick to a budget. The two choices are the SDH167D or the SDXH167D. Both appear to be identical except the latter comes with 8 loco sound schemes with the former having 2. I'm not sure that's a factor as neither list my GP50's 645 Turbo engine and my retailer will upload the sound files for $15 (should be free?)although I don't see my specific engine listed for download. The retailer has been pushing me towards Loksound, however I can't justify spending another $200 on top of the $50+ I've spent detailing this old girl including 9 smd LEDS and a beacon light, etc etc. He suggested that Digitrax sound is sub-par and barely audible over even the wheel noise. Both Digitrax units come complete with speaker and a keep alive for around $80-$100 Cdn, and will be a hardwire installation. Any suggestions or comments are welcome.

 

[bnsf971]

A Loksound sound decoder should only be about $100, not $200.
If you want the correct sound, you would be looking for a 645F.
As for Digitrax sound decoders, well- the motor control is good. The sounds, not so much. This is one of those times you get what you pay for.

 

[Toolbelt]

$100 US but much higher in Canada? This old girl is from the late 80's but sat idle in a box for 30 yrs so it has low mileage and runs like a top. That said, I can buy brand new DCC Loco's for $240 and up, so I'm just trying to give her a basic upgrade and a voice, for sentimental reasons if anything. I'm not looking for perfection although it would be nice to give her the correct voice if possible. I don't think a 12 cyl 645 would sound even close to a 16 cyl 645 but I dont want to drop an extra $80+ to get it.

 

[bnsf971]

$100 US but much higher in Canada? This old girl is from the late 80's but sat idle in a box for 30 yrs so it has low mileage and runs like a top. That said, I can buy brand new DCC Loco's for $240 and up, so I'm just trying to give her a basic upgrade and a voice, for sentimental reasons if anything. I'm not looking for perfection although it would be nice to give her the correct voice if possible. I don't think a 12 cyl 645 would sound even close to a 16 cyl 645 but I dont want to drop an extra $80+ to get it.

The real GP50 had a 16V645F turbo prime mover. As for the actual sound, a generic turbo 645 would be "close enough". You could probably pick up an older Soundtraxx Tsunami with that sound for relatively inexpensive. If you think outside the box... I have a pair of Athearn F45s with factory Tsunami sound that I paid $100 each. Doing that would get you the decoder, speaker, lighting, and a more better sound. You would also have spare parts for future use, if you found something with compatible parts.

 

[dennis461]

SDH167D is fairly new. Will your command station be able to program it?

 

[Toolbelt]

SDH167D is fairly new. Will your command station be able to program it?

It's supposed to work with all brands of DCC controllers.

 

[Toolbelt]

The real GP50 had a 16V645F turbo prime mover. As for the actual sound, a generic turbo 645 would be "close enough". You could probably pick up an older Soundtraxx Tsunami with that sound for relatively inexpensive. If you think outside the box... I have a pair of Athearn F45s with factory Tsunami sound that I paid $100 each. Doing that would get you the decoder, speaker, lighting, and a more better sound. You would also have spare parts for future use, if you found something with compatible parts.

The only other 645 they list is a 2000 hp unit, whereas the Gp50 had 3600 hp I believe.

 

[bnsf971]

The only other 645 they list is a 2000 hp unit, whereas the Gp50 had 3600 hp I believe.

The other 645 is a naturally aspirated V16. It is a completely different sound, more like an old F unit.
The GP50 had 3500 hp, but most railroads derated them to 3000 or less because of reliability problems. EMD had pushed the 645 a little bit past the edge, and it showed. The 710 in the SD60/GP60 had 3600hp.
BTW, Youtube can be your friend. Search videos of the decoder you're interested in with the sounds you want, to see what it sounds like. There are some sound decoders that produce sound that, honestly, would be better off with the sound muted.

 

[Toolbelt]

The other 645 is a naturally aspirated V16. It is a completely different sound, more like an old F unit.
The GP50 had 3500 hp, but most railroads derated them to 3000 or less because of reliability problems. EMD had pushed the 645 a little bit past the edge, and it showed. The 710 in the SD60/GP60 had 3600hp.
BTW, Youtube can be your friend. Search videos of the decoder you're interested in with the sounds you want, to see what it sounds like. There are some sound decoders that produce sound that, honestly, would be better off with the sound muted.

The ESU 58420 HO LokSound V5 DCC 8 Pin Sound Decoder does looks like another good option, and their EMD16-645F3B LATE EXH T Ed2 sound file was recorded using a GP50. The decoder is described as blank, so does that mean you have to specify the sound file when ordering or is their an extra charge involved? I don't plan on buying a programmer.

 

[bnsf971]

The ESU 58420 HO LokSound V5 DCC 8 Pin Sound Decoder does looks like another good option, and their EMD16-645F3B LATE EXH T Ed2 sound file was recorded using a GP50. The decoder is described as blank, so does that mean you have to specify the sound file when ordering or is their an extra charge involved? I don't plan on buying a programmer.

Whether you can get a sound file loaded onto the decoder before they ship to you depends on the seller. Some will do this as part of the sale, some may charge you, some may not do anything other than sell you a blank decoder. I would send an email before purchasing to make sure you don’t get any surprises. The blank generic sound that comes on the decoder is not much more than a white noise file to make sure the decoder functions before loading your files onto it.

 

[Toolbelt]

Whether you can get a sound file loaded onto the decoder before they ship to you depends on the seller. Some will do this as part of the sale, some may charge you, some may not do anything other than sell you a blank decoder. I would send an email before purchasing to make sure you don’t get any surprises. The blank generic sound that comes on the decoder is not much more than a white noise file to make sure the decoder functions before loading your files onto it.

I can certainly understand why they're produced as blanks, so I've contacted the store to see if they provide the sound file service. I would imagine most major retailers would, whether or not there's an upcharge. Doing so would likely help them sell more decoders.

 

[bnsf971]

I can certainly understand why they're produced as blanks, so I've contacted the store to see if they provide the sound file service. I would imagine most major retailers would, whether or not there's an upcharge. Doing so would likely help them sell more decoders.

You might be surprised. Many sellers simply order what you ordered, and have it drop-shipped to you.

 

[Toolbelt]

You might be surprised. Many sellers simply order what you ordered, and have it drop-shipped to you.

Seems I've uncovered yet another rabbit hole in my re-entry to this "simple" hobby? lol First couplers, then detailing, followed by LED lighting, now decoders......and I still need a DCC system, although I'm pretty much set on the NCE 25 for my small layout.

 

[Toolbelt]

I've been poking around on Google and ESU's website and I've been looking at their 58420 8 pin (which could be cut off the socket and hardwire direct) and the 58821 Direct Sound Decoder (which is a board with soldering tabs). I realize some of their products are designed to "drop in" or replace existing boards, however my Blue Box is straight DC with no board. Provided that the product will fit within my loco, and can handle the amperage, is there any reason why I should choose a board style or board with wired socket? The price of either unit is comparable, and both can have the correct sound file loaded into it, and both will handle the number of functions I require. One installed, I will never have a need to swap it out to another loco, nor will I ever be messing with the "programming" other than to adjust cv's with my PowerCab . I'm capable of isolating my motor, and soldering wires, etc. Can I just kapton tape either on top of my motor, making sure none of the board electrical components short out against the brush retainer strips?

​

 

[bnsf971]

I've been poking around on Google and ESU's website and I've been looking at their 58420 8 pin (which could be cut off the socket and hardwire direct) and the 58821 Direct Sound Decoder (which is a board with soldering tabs). I realize some of their products are designed to "drop in" or replace existing boards, however my Blue Box is straight DC with no board. Provided that the product will fit within my loco, and can handle the amperage, is there any reason why I should choose a board style or board with wired socket? The price of either unit is comparable, and both can have the correct sound file loaded into it, and both will handle the number of functions I require. One installed, I will never have a need to swap it out to another loco, nor will I ever be messing with the "programming" other than to adjust cv's with my PowerCab . I'm capable of isolating my motor, and soldering wires, etc. Can I just kapton tape either on top of my motor, making sure none of the board electrical components short out against the brush retainer strips?

​

Yes, it will come down to which one will fit in the space you have. If you get the version with the 8 pin plug, and remove the plug, there will be less chance of a random part of the board touching something it shouldn’t.

 

[Toolbelt]

Yes, it will come down to which one will fit in the space you have. If you get the version with the 8 pin plug, and remove the plug, there will be less chance of a random part of the board touching something it shouldn’t.

Thanks. I just don't want to pull the wrong move and avoid an "Oh crap" moment. I think I would be mounting the decoder on top of the motor in either case. Is it safe to assume that most boards have exposed leads or soldering points on their underside which have to be taken into consideration when mounting above any conductive surface?

#58420

#58821

 

[bnsf971]

Thanks. I just don't want to pull the wrong move and avoid an "Oh crap" moment. I think I would be mounting the decoder on top of the motor in either case. Is it safe to assume that most boards have exposed leads or soldering points on their underside which have to be taken into consideration when mounting above any conductive surface?

#58420
View attachment 207329

#58821
View attachment 207328

That particular brand does. Many other brands are factory-wrapped in a plastic cover to, among other things, help prevent unwanted shorts.

 

[Toolbelt]

That particular brand does. Many other brands are factory-wrapped in a plastic cover to, among other things, help prevent unwanted shorts.

I will protect it using kapton tape if needed, which is a good electrical insulator, but also disperses heat (or so I've been told).

 

[flyboy2610]

I'm going to throw something out here: Have you considered Soundtraxx? Their TSU-PNP8 board decoder https://soundtraxx.com/products/tsunami2-digital-sound-decoders/tsu-pnp8/ can be ordered with a number of different sound profiles installed, they are made here in the USA, they have excellent customer service, they have a YouTube channel, and their sound decoders come with a built in equalizer sound you can tailor the sound profile exactly how you want it. Plus the price is quite reasonable. Before you spring for an ESU decoder, check them out.
I used one for my EMD TR5A project, and it sounds great and performs flawlessly!

EMD TR5A

It's a chilly, cloudy, windy day today. This kind of weather often makes my right knee act up, so working under the layout on the wiring is not something I want to do today. Maybe tomorrow. I decided instead to start work on a project I've been meaning to get around to for quite some time...

modelrailroadforums.com

 

[Toolbelt]

I'm going to throw something out here: Have you considered Soundtraxx? Their TSU-PNP8 board decoder https://soundtraxx.com/products/tsunami2-digital-sound-decoders/tsu-pnp8/ can be ordered with a number of different sound profiles installed, they are made here in the USA, they have excellent customer service, they have a YouTube channel, and their sound decoders come with a built in equalizer sound you can tailor the sound profile exactly how you want it. Plus the price is quite reasonable. Before you spring for an ESU decoder, check them out.
I used one for my EMD TR5A project, and it sounds great and performs flawlessly!

EMD TR5A

It's a chilly, cloudy, windy day today. This kind of weather often makes my right knee act up, so working under the layout on the wiring is not something I want to do today. Maybe tomorrow. I decided instead to start work on a project I've been meaning to get around to for quite some time...

modelrailroadforums.com

My Rapido unit has an ESU in it, although I only have a DC layout, so the features and sounds are quite limited. ESU has a good reputation as well, so my thinking is to keep my decoder brands consistent. I've heard of Soundtraxx but haven't really done much research on the decoder world at all. I will check them out. As soon as I get this GP50 converted (it's been a 3 month project), I will be getting a PowerCab and going full DCC, at least until I completely re-do my layout from scratch.