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Sound and Motor Decoder for Kato SD90/43mac and Kato F40PH Track and electrical/DCC
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Regular poster 335 posts taholmes160 Regular poster 335 posts
taholmes160

When I first bought these 2 locos, I made a bad mistake and put in MRC decoders which have been no end of troubles.  So I want to replace them.  I am looking for some kind of a drop in decoder replacement.  Sound is important but moreso is motor control.  I run an NCE powercab -- I found the digitrax SDXN146K1E -- which looks good and digitrax is a good name -- but what I am wondering if there is something better -- I googled for Drop In decoder for Kato SD90/43MAC -- and got a hit on the digitrax one as well as some others that are not obviously sound as well as motor decoders -

So some of you that are DCC gurus -- what do you recommend? and why

 

THanks

TIM
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AzBaja Prolific poster 2,086 posts
AzBaja

You forgot to point out that

You forgot to point out that this is "N" scale...?   I had issues with my MRC sound decoders too.

AzBaja
---------------------------------------------------------------
I enjoy the smell of melting plastic in the morning.  The Fake Model Railroader, subpar at best.
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taholmes160 Regular poster 335 posts
taholmes160

OOPS!

Yes, You are right -- these are N scale Locos

 

TIM
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marcfo68 Frequent poster 656 posts
marcfo68

. . .

Digitrax sound decoders have got better but they still have one issue: availability of the sound project.

There is no SD80 or SD90 projects available on the Digitrax Sound Depot and nothing close is pre-loaded in the decoder over the counter. Of the 8 loaded projects, 2 are steam and others are pretty generic.

Add to this you will need the Digitrax PR4 and Windows based Soundloader to load any sound project, if you find one that matches your needs.

You might be lucky and find it in this Groups.io group, specialized in Digitrax Sound Projects by John McMasters.

(edited link)

https://groups.io/g/AnPRR

You can create your own, if so inclined.

Marc
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BadOrder New member 29 posts
BadOrder

New Soundtraxx decoder



George pointed out that this decoder the TSU-KN1 comes with 2 LED's, a small amount or wire and a rediculously small speaker.

I believe he stated he drop in decoder fits KATO EMD F and E series diesels along with the F40PH, PA1's and the GE P40-2. Its pretty much restricted to wide bodied locomotives for now. I know this might not help with the SD90.

TSU-KN1.jpg 
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taholmes160 Regular poster 335 posts
taholmes160

This group does not seem to be available

Hi Marc:

I tried to get to this group and kept getting told the group doesnt exist -- 

Any ideas?

 

TIM
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marcfo68 Frequent poster 656 posts
marcfo68

. . .

Yes I see that.. Use the Groups.io 'SEARCH'   for ANPRR and you will find it. they are still active and John McMaster still posting sound projects. His  latest is Dec 9, a 16 bit file for an 0-4-0T 

And I SEE YOU ARE IN  : - )

Marc
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taholmes160 Regular poster 335 posts
taholmes160

Yup, Found it

Thanks Marc

 

TIM
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marcfo68 Frequent poster 656 posts
marcfo68

. . .

OUCH!..  Unfortunately you were given some "surprising" recommendations on that page. The SDHX166D will never fit in your N-scale loco, even less adding the PK108-12 or the TCS WDK-KAT1 kit.  Guess the guy did not realized you were talking N-scale.  Getting keep alive + a decoder + speaker  will be a challenge.   Just use that site to get the Sound Project if you go Digitrax.  Be aware there are 8 bit SPJ and 16 bit SPJ. The X means it is a 16 bit decoder and will play any file. The standard 8 bit decoder will not play 12 bit or 16 bit.  So your SDXN146K1E  is a good choice for a DROP IN.

TCS web site is a good place to get an idea of what fits. There Install  page gives a good start point on what is possible.  And for your n-scale SD90  or FP40H  they have no SOUND recommendations.

https://tcsdcc.com/installations

Soundtraxx say to use the TSU-1100 (hardwire in) . forget the keep alive unless some major machining is done. You need to decide if  you go with the EMD or EMD-2 sounds. 

I did not bother looking at ESU, that is your call.

Marc
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marcfo68 Frequent poster 656 posts
marcfo68

. . .

That Soundtraxx TSU-KN1  does not have any 710 prime mover in it, if it matters.  I am not up on diesels.

Probably wait for the TSU-KN2  : -)
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