My collection of MTH Proto-3 Scale Wheel engines is pretty extensive, but I have a pure two-rail Sunset 44-tonner in my stable. Can anyone recommend a good DCC unit. Sound would be nice. The unit runs well under DC with surprisingly little noise.
Thanks.
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Hey Matt-- I have only used Loksound 5 boards on the few engines I have...I do like them a lot.
However, I found this thread from years ago that might help on the install...
@roll_the_dice posted:Hey Matt-- I have only used Loksound 5 boards on the few engines I have...I do like them a lot.
However, I found this thread from years ago that might help on the install...
Thanks Andy. I didn't realize I had asked about this before. Senior moment. 
I wouldn't have said anything! 
It must be a low priority as it has been almost 10 years! Don't we all have projects like that!
I have one also from the last run they did. I cannot say mine is very quiet, but it is not too bad. It does run very well.
I put a digitrax DH123D decoder in mine. this does not have sound, only headlights and motor control. It is Digitrax's very economy decoder. That small decoder is rated at 2 amps maximum which is a lot for a small one. by my measurements, the loco drew about .7 amps running and 1.5 amps stall. So far it has worked fine.
I decided it was too heavy and found that there were lead weights in both hoods and under the cab floor. I removed the ones in the hoods and cut the weight 1/3 to 1/2. It still pulls 12-15 cars on level track with no problem. Much more than the prototype.
@BenLMaggi posted:It must be a low priority as it has been almost 10 years! Don't we all have projects like that!
I know the feeling. I have drawings for a bridge I've wanted to build for years. Now that I'm finally retired and building a layout I'll finally get that bridge.
@prrjim posted:I have one also from the last run they did. I cannot say mine is very quiet, but it is not too bad. It does run very well.
I put a digitrax DH123D decoder in mine. this does not have sound, only headlights and motor control. It is Digitrax's very economy decoder. That small decoder is rated at 2 amps maximum which is a lot for a small one. by my measurements, the loco drew about .7 amps running and 1.5 amps stall. So far it has worked fine.
I decided it was too heavy and found that there were lead weights in both hoods and under the cab floor. I removed the ones in the hoods and cut the weight 1/3 to 1/2. It still pulls 12-15 cars on level track with no problem. Much more than the prototype.
Thanks Jim.
You have an ideal candidate for the new SoundTraxx Blunami wireless DCC decoder which will control lights, sounds and motion. I recently installed one in a NW-2 which is roughly the same size as the 44Tonner and it performs well.
Plus 1 on Blunami. With that little engine you might even be able to do the 2200 now vs the 4400 which is expected out in the new year. You would have to do a current test to be sure. Sounds are awesome. Check out the Soundtraxx website. They have a soundset for that engine. Been thinking of doing my MTH 44 tonner which is BlueRail with The MTH PS3 in DCC mode.
Ron
@Ron045 posted:Plus 1 on Blunami. With that little engine you might even be able to do the 2200 now vs the 4400 which is expected out in the new year. You would have to do a current test to be sure. Sounds are awesome. Check out the Soundtraxx website. They have a soundset for that engine. Been thinking of doing my MTH 44 tonner which is BlueRail with The MTH PS3 in DCC mode.
Ron
Thanks gents. Just went to the site and it might be worth getting an iPad to use as a remote. Liked what I saw.
interesting that it has a wireless mode. I'd need Android. Maybe soon.
Dave Rees from BlueRail trains said they are working on an Android app for Blunami. No ETA. My guess would be mid to late 2023.
@Ron045 posted:Dave Rees from BlueRail trains said they are working on an Android app for Blunami. No ETA. My guess would be mid to late 2023.
That's good to hear. Wireless direct access to locomotives would make my life easier for upgrading some old conventional engines. While I like DCS and TMCC, DCC is in the cards and things will be easier if I can do it wirelessly.
I may be 300+ years old, but I love new technology that makes it easier for me to play with more stuff.
I looked at the Blunami on the SoundTraxx website and watched their video. Did I miss it, but have they come out with a Blunami for O scale yet?
@roll_the_dice posted:I looked at the Blunami on the SoundTraxx website and watched their video. Did I miss it, but have they come out with a Blunami for O scale yet?
Not yet. The number would be 4400 as opposed to 2200. However, the 2200 is a 2-amp stall-current decoder which would probably support small O scale single-motored engines (provided you don't stall them, of course). Last time I ran a four-powered train at the club (4 MTH diesels) the draw at the transformer was just under seven amps -- 1.75 each for the 50-car train that was in tow.
Theoretically, the 2200 could probably handle a two-motored china-drive engine. Taking one of those engines and series-wiring the motors, the current draw would be cut in half and you'd be talking about an 850-900mA draw from the engine. That's well within the limits of the decoder. Dan Dawdy put DCC H.O. decoders into a quartet of RS1's with series-wired China drives.
The more I think about this, the more I'm on-board with the idea. As for a voltage source, it would be easy enough to put in an on-board voltage regulator inside a diesel to limit the input voltage to the decoder.
Based on my experience, the Blunami 2A version will work OK with lighter OGauge engines. (I've done several). Best to rewire the motors in series, which won't be necessary with the 4A version. On the plus side, once you've worked with wireless, it"s hard to go back to track involved control systems.
The only reason I am curious...I have a Rich Yoder Baldwin S12 I am going to remotor. I bought a Pittman 8424J181 that I am going to use...I just need to figure out the amp draw and stall current once I install it. Thanks for the responses guys!!
@AGHRMatt posted:....the 2200 is a 2-amp stall-current decoder which would probably support small O scale single-motored engines (provided you don't stall them, of course). ...
I was told by a tech at Tony's Train Exchange to install a fuse to protect the decoder, if I desired. I never popped the fuse and I never hurt the decoder. That was a 4 amp decoder by NCE going into a USA Trains engine if I remember correctly.
@roll_the_dice posted:The only reason I am curious...I have a Rich Yoder Baldwin S12 I am going to remotor. I bought a Pittman 8424J181 that I am going to use...I just need to figure out the amp draw and stall current once I install it. Thanks for the responses guys!!
If for from reason you decide you no longer want the S-12, I'll be happy to buy it. 😉
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