For double board locomotives, I just put in either TCS CN or CN-GP boards. I've done 4 of Atlas' GP9/7 engines with them, and I had issues with the CN-GP boards, but not with the CN boards. They do require soldering, but come with very fine wires that can usually fit between the split in the body with no modification, and they're fairly cheap
I recently picked up a DCC ready version of the Kato SD45, Great Northern 400. I installed a Digitrax SDXN146K1E SoundFX decoder in it myself and had a friend download the proper sound file from the Digitrax web site for me. The decoder was a simple replacement of the existing board and the speaker fit nicely with no drilling or milling required. I still need to adjust the momentum control to get rid of the jack rabbit starts, but all considered I'm pleased with the installation.
Right on, I have been hunting for a good deal on the old Hustle Muscle. With the drop in sound decoder does it get reasonable loud? My experience with Digitrax sound decoders is they are very quiet, but I have not tried any newer one.
Enjoyed your info on early DC Kato's vs the newer Kato's. Haven't read about that before. Do the early DC Kato F units have similar issues compared to the newer DCC version F-units?
For double board locomotives, I just put in either TCS CN or CN-GP boards. I've done 4 of Atlas' GP9/7 engines with them, and I had issues with the CN-GP boards, but not with the CN boards. They do require soldering, but come with very fine wires that can usually fit between the split in the body with no modification, and they're fairly cheap
I recently picked up a DCC ready version of the Kato SD45, Great Northern 400. I installed a Digitrax SDXN146K1E SoundFX decoder in it myself and had a friend download the proper sound file from the Digitrax web site for me. The decoder was a simple replacement of the existing board and the speaker fit nicely with no drilling or milling required. I still need to adjust the momentum control to get rid of the jack rabbit starts, but all considered I'm pleased with the installation.
Right on, I have been hunting for a good deal on the old Hustle Muscle. With the drop in sound decoder does it get reasonable loud? My experience with Digitrax sound decoders is they are very quiet, but I have not tried any newer one.
@@thenscalereviewer the sound is quiet when the decoder is first installed, but I set it to the maximum volume and it's reasonable now.
I ran into the issue with digitrax sound decoders that with the sound cranked up, mute was not muted. Have that issue?
Where do you soder black and red pick wires??
Enjoyed your info on early DC Kato's vs the newer Kato's. Haven't read about that before. Do the early DC Kato F units have similar issues compared to the newer DCC version F-units?
I don't have any to confirm but I do believe that is the case.