Gang, I seem to remember seeing a place on the web for help selecting DCC decoders for O Scale 2 Rail. But now that I need some info, I can not find anything for O Scale. I have 2 Locos I want to do add DCC / Sound to. #1 - a Sunset (not 3rd Rail) Pennsy 2-8-0 and #2 - A Early MTH SD-45. Thanks, Bruce in Mount Airy, MD
Bruce,
I am new to the world of sound decoders. However, the decoder I use on my engines is the TSU-4400 https://soundtraxx.com/products/tsunami2-digital-sound-decoders/tsu-4400/ . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPDfjFNjSk0 It's deadrail compatible as well. I've been very happy with it.
I don't know of any other O Scale sound decoders out there right now. I'm curious what else it out there.
Nick
Bruce,
You might want to check out offerings from LokSound and QSI, both offer sound decoders that will handle O scale current requirements. Sunset 3rd Rail engines come with QSI decoders. I have a couple and they're OK. Jay Criswell at Right-O-Way.us can probably speak for LokSound, I think he has used them in his custom re-powering jobs. I'm with Nick, Tsunami TSU-4400 series for my own installations (and very happy with the results).
Lowell
ESU Loksound 'L' decoders are very good, they don't take up as much space as the 'XL' which helps with U.S. narrow-hood diesels.
QSI are also good, and I have also used a TCS Wowsound decoder in my Atlas GP35. Although this is an HO rated decoder, I wired the motors in series & it works just fine. Top end speed is down a bit but that's of little consequence on my layout.
I have used an HO Soundtrax Tsunami in my Atlas SW1200RS which is a single-motor drive, and a "boosted" 3Amp Tsunami supplied by Protocraft in an Atlas SD40.
But to be honest I'm no fan of Tsunami decoders; I find them very 'fussy' - on even the cleanest track they can stutter & the sound drop out where other decoders have no problems, and the horn sounds are pretty feeble too - all the other decoders I've mentioned above have horn sounds that blow Tsunami out of the water, almost literally!!!