I have an Atlas gp60, mth gp40 and an mth u30c all 2 rail O scale with tsunami 2 tsu-4400s in them. Very happy and impressed with the SoundTraxx products!
My question is, with the use of a rectifier to convert AC to DC, could this decoder be used in something like an older lionel tmcc engine? I have an older lionel AC-9 2-8-8-4 with TMCC command control but the sound is... not up to snuff anymore. So I'm looking to see what all is out there that can be done. I know that MTH has their protosound 3.0 that can run off both AC for 3 rail and DC for 2 rail. If I could figure out how to do this, it could be a game changer for folks out there who want a better sound system in their o scale engines that don't want mth sounds or lionel. I've never heard of anyone doing this, but I'm fairly certain it can be done.
You can get inexpensive AC to DC convertors, or make one for ~$2 in parts on any available diagram online. But the issue is to have 2 versions because the DCC-Based hardware cannot convert AC easily without added parts and complexity on the PCB.. Has to do with he way the DCC commands are sent, and since it is a DCC based product, no internal AC convertor.. But if you make one, then your AC track voltage will then be read as DC and the decoder will then only use it for power. Never say never, but there are bigger projects in Engineering’s to-do than this small and easy modification you can implement.
The Tsunami2 and Blunami all need a DC motor and DC power as an input. So as long as your motor is DC, then you can send DC power or DCC power along the rails and the decoder will get it through the track power and operate as desired. High-current AC motors would have to be replaced. If you need further assistance, please contact our support department and they can help you with the details: (970)259-0690 ext.22 or support@soundtraxx.com
Hello George, I'm finding your videos interesting and informative, but can your decoders be installed in "G" scale locos? I'm contemplating just running my locomotives analog via the throttle control but want that sound and smoke as they would be outside for some people to enjoy. Maybe you can post a video here. Thank You, Frank M.
Our TSU-4400 can be used in some G scale locomotives. Stall current is going to be important. You can contact our Support Team for more information on this: (970)259-0690 or support@soundtraxx.com TSU-4400: soundtraxx.com/products/tsunami2-digital-sound-decoders/tsu-4400/
Dear George, great video for O scale installs. A question/suggestion for the next videoif I may, how to "properly" connect the dual-motors in a "china drive" Atlas diesel so the decoder can do whatever-needs-doing backEMF-wise to get the crawly switching performance we expect from ST decoders... (Motors in parallel? Series? Any reqd motor-control settings tweaks?)
These were in parallel in the install shown. You can adjust the decoder to properly read the BEMF for our DDE and motor control. My first suggestion would be to lower the BEMF Reference Voltage in CV 215. Look through the Hyperdrive2 section of the User’s Guide for further explanation. Contact SoundTraxx Customer Support for further details if needed | 970.259.0690 or support@soundtraxx.com. On the model shown, I did not really adjust anything but add momentum in CV 3 and CV 4. Tsunami2 Diesel User's Guide: www.soundtraxx.com/manuals.php
I do have a question. I was thinking of buying a Williams semi-scale pacific steam locomotive that Bachmann is selling right now. It is DC controlled and has one chuff per wheel rotation. Am I able to take one of these sound recorders and "upgrade" the engine. I am new to O scale and if you have any other product recommendations, please let me know. Thank you
If the motor is a DC motor, and you want to run under DC or NMRA DCC, then yes, you can use the TSU-4400. Consult the User’s Guide for details on DC operation. Setting the decoder to run on DC does require CV changes, so you will need access to a DCC system to do this. Thank you!
Yes, each output is rated for 400mA, which should be enough for a smoke unit. Measure the current draw of the unit used and verify. Contact SoundTraxx Customer Support if you need further details | 970.259.0690 or support@soundtraxx.com.
The features yes, the TSU-4400 probably not. The board is large and has a high stall current. Our other Tsunami2 board formats have the same features but are on smaller boards with lower stall currents. Learn more here: soundtraxx.com/products/tsunami2-digital-sound-decoders
I have an Atlas gp60, mth gp40 and an mth u30c all 2 rail O scale with tsunami 2 tsu-4400s in them. Very happy and impressed with the SoundTraxx products!
We are glad to hear this!
Wish you guys made a sound board that could replace the lionel railsounds one and plug into the ERR or TMCC boards
Thanks for the feedback, we will keep this in mind.
Agreed, these sound so much better...
@@eric-mi3nn thanks
Does it have keep alive?
It has a CurrentKeeper plug to easily add a CurrentKeeper.
My question is, with the use of a rectifier to convert AC to DC, could this decoder be used in something like an older lionel tmcc engine? I have an older lionel AC-9 2-8-8-4 with TMCC command control but the sound is... not up to snuff anymore. So I'm looking to see what all is out there that can be done. I know that MTH has their protosound 3.0 that can run off both AC for 3 rail and DC for 2 rail. If I could figure out how to do this, it could be a game changer for folks out there who want a better sound system in their o scale engines that don't want mth sounds or lionel. I've never heard of anyone doing this, but I'm fairly certain it can be done.
You can get inexpensive AC to DC convertors, or make one for ~$2 in parts on any available diagram online. But the issue is to have 2 versions because the DCC-Based hardware cannot convert AC easily without added parts and complexity on the PCB.. Has to do with he way the DCC commands are sent, and since it is a DCC based product, no internal AC convertor.. But if you make one, then your AC track voltage will then be read as DC and the decoder will then only use it for power. Never say never, but there are bigger projects in Engineering’s to-do than this small and easy modification you can implement.
@@SoundtraxxDCC I'll try it out and if it works, I'll get back to y'all on it.
Will this work on O gauge 3 rail ?
The Tsunami2 and Blunami all need a DC motor and DC power as an input. So as long as your motor is DC, then you can send DC power or DCC power along the rails and the decoder will get it through the track power and operate as desired. High-current AC motors would have to be replaced. If you need further assistance, please contact our support department and they can help you with the details: (970)259-0690 ext.22 or support@soundtraxx.com
Hello George,
I'm finding your videos interesting and informative, but can your decoders be installed in "G" scale locos? I'm contemplating just running my locomotives analog via the throttle control but want that sound and smoke as they would be outside for some people to enjoy. Maybe you can post a video here.
Thank You,
Frank M.
Our TSU-4400 can be used in some G scale locomotives. Stall current is going to be important. You can contact our Support Team for more information on this: (970)259-0690 or support@soundtraxx.com
TSU-4400: soundtraxx.com/products/tsunami2-digital-sound-decoders/tsu-4400/
Dear George, great video for O scale installs. A question/suggestion for the next videoif I may, how to "properly" connect the dual-motors in a "china drive" Atlas diesel so the decoder can do whatever-needs-doing backEMF-wise to get the crawly switching performance we expect from ST decoders... (Motors in parallel? Series? Any reqd motor-control settings tweaks?)
These were in parallel in the install shown. You can adjust the decoder to properly read the BEMF for our DDE and motor control. My first suggestion would be to lower the BEMF Reference Voltage in CV 215. Look through the Hyperdrive2 section of the User’s Guide for further explanation. Contact SoundTraxx Customer Support for further details if needed | 970.259.0690 or support@soundtraxx.com. On the model shown, I did not really adjust anything but add momentum in CV 3 and CV 4.
Tsunami2 Diesel User's Guide: www.soundtraxx.com/manuals.php
I do have a question. I was thinking of buying a Williams semi-scale pacific steam locomotive that Bachmann is selling right now. It is DC controlled and has one chuff per wheel rotation. Am I able to take one of these sound recorders and "upgrade" the engine. I am new to O scale and if you have any other product recommendations, please let me know. Thank you
If the motor is a DC motor, and you want to run under DC or NMRA DCC, then yes, you can use the TSU-4400. Consult the User’s Guide for details on DC operation. Setting the decoder to run on DC does require CV changes, so you will need access to a DCC system to do this.
Thank you!
Can the 4400 control a fan driven smoke unit?
Yes, each output is rated for 400mA, which should be enough for a smoke unit. Measure the current draw of the unit used and verify. Contact SoundTraxx Customer Support if you need further details | 970.259.0690 or support@soundtraxx.com.
Can this be used for Ho Scale locomotives
The features yes, the TSU-4400 probably not. The board is large and has a high stall current. Our other Tsunami2 board formats have the same features but are on smaller boards with lower stall currents. Learn more here: soundtraxx.com/products/tsunami2-digital-sound-decoders
Hi George, which one is bigger 3 rail o scale or Standard O or oo scale .
3 rail O scale and 2 rail O are the same size, while OO is closer to HO.
thanks