Superb! I did this install a year ago with the TSU-4400 in USA Trains and Aristo and it works extremely well. I went ahead and just replaced all lights with LEDs. So cool to see a professional (George) do this install. Would love to see how you do the smoke unit in the future.
Thanks for the feedback. George removed the smoke unit because he is not a fan of them. But if you need assistance with a smoke unit our support team can help.
We have not done a more in depth video on this model, but our Support Team can give you more advice on this: (970)259-0690 ext.22 or support@soundtraxx.com. They will be happy to help.
I do dead rail Gscale for the Protothrottle. This decoder is my favorite. Great sounds, easy to setup. I generally gut my locomotives and rewire them for LEDs so the common negative really isn't a problem for me. I use the CL2N-G led drivers which work great, no need to calculate resistor values. Parts-Express has some really great smaller speakers, they sell a couple of 2.5 inch speakers that have passive radiators built in - really great bass response.
Thank you for all of the feedback. We are glad that you are enjoying this decoder! We would love to see some of your models in action if you have video to share.
You said you would show pictures of the install but you didn’t. In particular I am wondering about the motors. How did you wire them? My GP-9 has two positive and two negative in both motor blocks.
It was a Visaton speaker, FRS7S-8Ohm, 2.66” in diameter I got from Mouser. We will be looking at more speakers for larger scales to be added to our product line soon.
I have question about mounting the decoder with doubled sided sticky tape. Did you elevate it that high to let the chip breath? What size wiring did you use for your motor and track pick up?
I used double-sided foam tape to install the decoder, but I used 2 layers to rise the decoder up above the solder points of the screw headers below the PCB. That way is was more firmly mounted. The air flow helps, but is not necessary. The wires for track power and motor leads were what was inside the model. But if you were replacing it, I’d probably look at 18-20 gauge. Maybe 22 if space or flexibility is more necessary.
Hi, I just installed this card in an Aristo Craft U25b and it works and sounds great. I do have one issue I'd like to ask you about. I removed all the electronics and wired everything directly to the board except the smoke unit control. I powered the control board and smoke unit switch using the track pickups. If I turn on the smoke unit with sound off and then turn sound back on everything works perfectly no matter speed or direction. If I turn on the smoke unit while the sound is on the decoder trips and restarts, after restart everything works fine again. I'm guessing the smoke unit is overloading the board when sound is on, what are your thoughts.
Nice installation George, although you repeated yourself discussing the LED problem with the model. It does annoy me when manufacturers fail to follow NMRA wiring standards.
Not sure. It seems to be used more commonly for china-made factory-installed sound systems. Not sure why this one is using it as well, but this is what I found.
Superb! I did this install a year ago with the TSU-4400 in USA Trains and Aristo and it works extremely well. I went ahead and just replaced all lights with LEDs. So cool to see a professional (George) do this install. Would love to see how you do the smoke unit in the future.
Thanks for the feedback. George removed the smoke unit because he is not a fan of them. But if you need assistance with a smoke unit our support team can help.
Are there aby step by step instructions for this install for us rookies new to USA Trains and dcc?
We have not done a more in depth video on this model, but our Support Team can give you more advice on this: (970)259-0690 ext.22 or support@soundtraxx.com. They will be happy to help.
I do dead rail Gscale for the Protothrottle. This decoder is my favorite. Great sounds, easy to setup. I generally gut my locomotives and rewire them for LEDs so the common negative really isn't a problem for me. I use the CL2N-G led drivers which work great, no need to calculate resistor values. Parts-Express has some really great smaller speakers, they sell a couple of 2.5 inch speakers that have passive radiators built in - really great bass response.
Thank you for all of the feedback. We are glad that you are enjoying this decoder! We would love to see some of your models in action if you have video to share.
@@SoundtraxxDCC ua-cam.com/video/TSgNP1zXmtc/v-deo.html
You said you would show pictures of the install but you didn’t. In particular I am wondering about the motors. How did you wire them? My GP-9 has two positive and two negative in both motor blocks.
Contact our Support Team: (970)259-0690 or support@soundtraxx.com
George, what was the speaker? If you had to supply one, what would it be?
It was a Visaton speaker, FRS7S-8Ohm, 2.66” in diameter I got from Mouser. We will be looking at more speakers for larger scales to be added to our product line soon.
I recently purchased the FRS7S-8Ohm for my USA Trains G Scale after reviewing this video.
I have question about mounting the decoder with doubled sided sticky tape. Did you elevate it that high to let the chip breath? What size wiring did you use for your motor and track pick up?
I used double-sided foam tape to install the decoder, but I used 2 layers to rise the decoder up above the solder points of the screw headers below the PCB. That way is was more firmly mounted. The air flow helps, but is not necessary. The wires for track power and motor leads were what was inside the model. But if you were replacing it, I’d probably look at 18-20 gauge. Maybe 22 if space or flexibility is more necessary.
Nice vid. George (Goalie George) MoPac Jack
Thanks
Hi, I just installed this card in an Aristo Craft U25b and it works and sounds great. I do have one issue I'd like to ask you about. I removed all the electronics and wired everything directly to the board except the smoke unit control. I powered the control board and smoke unit switch using the track pickups.
If I turn on the smoke unit with sound off and then turn sound back on everything works perfectly no matter speed or direction. If I turn on the smoke unit while the sound is on the decoder trips and restarts, after restart everything works fine again.
I'm guessing the smoke unit is overloading the board when sound is on, what are your thoughts.
Contact our Support Team and they can help you with this: (970)259-0690 ext.22 or support@soundtraxx.com
I work on big trains on a daily😂. Seeing this video might send me to ebay and get a couple of the 4400s lol. Great video again george!
Good deal :D
I’ve done four USA trains locomotives. They are not plug n play. They take a bit of work to switch to dcc.
George did have to do some wiring as he mentioned here, but the results are amazing! It is awesome to hear our decoder through these larger speakers.
@@SoundtraxxDCC I think the large soundtraxx speaker sounds better than the visaton
@@cato12 thanks for the feedback
Nice. That's a GP38-2 btw.
Thanks
Nice installation George, although you repeated yourself discussing the LED problem with the model. It does annoy me when manufacturers fail to follow NMRA wiring standards.
Thanks for the feedback.
Did the manufacturers just decide since MTH is mostly out, that common negative is the new standard? If so that’s stupid.
Not sure. It seems to be used more commonly for china-made factory-installed sound systems. Not sure why this one is using it as well, but this is what I found.
Georrrrggg
:D