I have bought a Walthers Proto 2000 F7AB set.

I plan to use a Soundtraxx mobile decoder with JST nine pin harness for the A-unit.

But what will be the best solution for the Tsunami in the B-unit?

An Atlas-style decoder, or the Genesis-style with onboard caps?

I think the sound-units from Walthers  uses an A-frame-speaker configuration which replaces the weight (gray block to the right):

One solution could be to buy that part and speakers which fits.

Anyone who can dig out the part-number for me, and maybe even provide a picture of the inside of the Walthers Proto F7B with sound?

Which speakers would fit the Walthers block.

An other solution could be to make some kind of infinite baffle “MrDCC-style”.

Yet an other one is to just use a speaker in an enclosure.

Or use the shell as an enclosure.

I would prefer to use one or two HighBass-speakers.

I would appreciate suggestions and tips from the group. Thank you.

I've never seen one in person, so I'm just working from your words & photo, Knut.

What is the gray box in your photo?

Are you looking at a non-sound A?

I'd go toward the AT version so you'd have the option for more capacitors easily (678-828040).

Thanks for the answer, Bruce. Also good to be reminded about that the AT version has option for more capacitors.

The gray box is a detachable weight. I do think that this part is "replaced" with an A-frame type of weight in the sound locos. The picture shows a B-unit.

If you have access to the ModelRailoader site, you can go to an august 23 2007 review of the sound version of this loco, Far down is a small picture where you might see the difference between the sound and non sound versions.

A difference between the Walthers F7 shell and the InterMountain F shells, is that all openings behind grills and fans and windows are tight, making it easier to use the shell as part of an enclosure or infinite baffle.

Work goes slow, so this will take time.

Tsunami has a great new tool on thier web site for selection and instalation tips for thier decoders.

Thank you UP MAN. I am aware of the SoundTraxx Decoder Selector, but so far I have found nothing for the Walthers F7. The P1K F3s are mentioned though, which brings me to my first and sadly enough so far only sound-decoder installation.

Six years ago I installed a Soundtraxx DSD-100LC generic diesel sound decoder in a Life Like Proto 1000 F3B unit.

To make that first installation simpler, I bought an enclosure for the 25mm speaker. There was not enough room over the speaker to use the extension tube.

I made solder pads from bits of PC-card, and even soldered connectors as I want to have jumper wires between the A and B units. This way more wheels will pick up power from the tracks. I also want to do that on my P2K F7AB set.

You can read more about that one in my not so active Peavine-blog.

Again Bruce has an installation tip on his site.

I have a couple of questions on this one were Bruce has a warning: “this is not an install for the faint of heart!” Bruce writes that you will need to isolate the motor. Is that right? I do have a NCE SW9-SR installed in this loco now, but can’t remember if I ever isolated the motor.

As for the Tsunami in this one. The space is tight inside the hood so Bruce uses a MicroTsunami, but is it possible to use a TSU-AT 1000 (Atlas style) decoder.

In Bruce’s installation the speakers are placed inside the cab, and the windows are closed. Which might be appropriate for more northern climates, but this engine is working in the Phoenix area on my layout. So how do I simulate open windows since my prototype is located in hot Arizona? Maybe I can try to have a figure leaning out of the window, but use clear plastic glazing behind him?

Install an air conditioner on your cab roof and you can keep the cab windows shut.

Tom, thank you for the suggestion. But do know if they actually used aircondioners in engines, particulary switchers, in 1960?