Get The Alco Growl For Your Locomotives (118)
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- Опубліковано 12 сер 2020
- I love the sound of an Alco 244 prime mover--the growl is unmistakeable. In this video I'll share with you the step-by-step procedure I followed for installing TCS WOWSound decoders in a pair of Kato RS2 locomotives. This was the subject of my September 2020 DCC Corner column in Model Railroader so check out that article as well for some details I just didn't have time to include in the video. Yes the video is long but feel free to watch it in segments over the weekend. Also there are a lot of tips included that can be used on other installations, especially where you plan to use a Decoder Buddy and/or a TCS WOWSound decoder.
This model was made around 1998 but is still one of the best running locomotives I own so if Alcos fit in on your model railroad grab one when you can. In addition to appearing at most train shows, I checked and found tons of them for sale on eBay, many of them new in their original boxes. So the fact they were introduced 22 years ago doesn't mean they are no longer available. Just remember to check to see if they need any lube in the gears and a touch of oil to the motor bearings--one of mine was a touch dry.
For those who will ask the LEDs were purchased on ebay, just search there for Golden White SMD LEDs. they come pre-wired with 1000 ohm resistors, although depending on the Decoder Buddy board you use the resistor may not be necessary. - Навчання та стиль
Now we just need the obsurd amount of Alcos signature black smoke
This is amazing to me. I was ready to sell what I have and go to Z or give up altogether. I have watch a number of your videos and subscribed, You are a great teacher and I am inspired again!
It is good to see it done. I have been leery of soldering the wires to the boards because of the size and color. Being color deficient it makes things a little more work for me. But you explain it so well it puts my mind at ease. Thanks
Great tip with the 9V battery. Decoder Buddy is a great device. Thanks for the video.
Excellent tutorial...I watch all your vids and learn so much, very motivating that I can do this myself one day. Thank You !!!.... 👍👍
Thank you Larry. Excellent explanation and clear video presentation! Much appreciated!
You made it look easy! Now of I can just remember everything! Thank you!
What a great video!! I was amazed with your ability to work with such small wires and connections!! it looks very easy.. Thank you for sharing!!
Mmm... Amazing indeed. I see that I am going to purchase some of these decoder buddies...
Awesome Video! cant wait to get my hands on one of those decoder buddies to install into my atlas b40-8!
Great info and Thanks for sharing your learned wisdom, because I can tell it would have taken years to learn what you just displayed here on your video. Brian
Learning alot from all your videos. Thank
Thanks Larry great detail and info, my son and I bought two Kato RS2 when they were first available looking forward installing a sound decoder following your instructions.
I just finished a pair in Southern green with the TCS decoders and they run much better than my Atlas RS3s of about the same vintage. Have fun with the project.
Thank you for your excellent tutorial on this installation. This will be quite useful for in the future.....Wilmer
Darn nice sound!
Excellent.
Larry great video. I think I am going to get some of that UHU Tack
Thanks Larry!
I feel really dumb. I haven't done much soldering but never thought of pre-tinning. I'm certain my teacher didn't mention that in shop during high school. No more trying to hold the wire in place along with the solder and soldering iron. I wont be adding dcc to my locomotives anytime soon but as always enjoy your videos.
excelente job , thanks
vey good info thank you
If you can’t find Uhu, it looks identical to 3M Scotch Poster Putty in the stationary aisle at Walmart, I use it for tons of stuff in modeling, it never dries and has just the right amount of tack to not leave a residue when removed.
Instead of the uhu you can likely use electrical duct seal available at HD or Lowe’s or such. Probably cheaper and more abundant. Never dries like uhu
Great video again thanks, some suggestions, use flexible silicone wire (available on amazon 28 ga in multi color packs) wire direct to trucks, I do not use a decoder buddy, takes too much space, I wire directly to decoder, if you want removability then use connectors, use them anyway for lights and speaker, also I use a non flammable block (forget what it’s called, it’s white) under my soldering work area
Excellent tutorial, just one issue, you should have put the walkway in place before installing the speaker, keep alive & lights, and didn't remind us to do that for our installations.
Technically you don't need to mess with Positive or Negative wires having to worry which one is which when hooking up the power to the motor. If the normal direction of travel is wrong for you, its easy to change it in the CV codes when programming a decoder to change its NDot.
Thank you for your channel. I have been enjoying your videos. Back in video #38 you talked about building your own rj12 cables for a dcc system. What wire size would you suggest for a Digitrx system.
Its just standard 6 conductor flat cable. If you look at the video description I gave catalog numbers and source info for everything.
Larry, excellent video on the Decoder Buddy installation, I use those boards also and love them. They make changing decoders and if needed speakers so easy. You made the installation look easy. You provided a lot of tips and tricks in this video, thank you. What gauge wire are you using? And can you provide a link to the surface LED’s you used? The speakers are awesome and I use them also, thank you for that link in the past. Keep up the great job on the videos and stay safe. Thanks for sharing. Ken
Most of the wires are from a package that Digitrax sells with all the NMRA colors. Each is about 10’ long and I think they are 30 awg. However if you check the streamlined backshop website (www.sbs4dcc.com) he sells individual color rolls in various gages.
Thanks for the help Larry.
Great install. I noticed that after all of the wiring and components were complete, the running board, hand rail, pilot piece was not in place. Was that piece easy to slip over the body shell and in to place before the RS3 shell was finally set in place?
Yes, the decoder components and wires do not interfere and it is safer and easier to keep it out of the way during the installation.
First love ur vids stay safe
Hi I am new to this so just wondering if you could tell me exactly the buddy mini you used to get that amazing sound and apart from the train and speaker, what else is needed for that particular sound. Cheers from Australia
The Decoder Buddy Mini is just the interface board that the TCS WOWSound decoder plugs into. If your loco is DCC ready with a decoder socket then you can purchase a TCS WOWSound decoder to match it. All their current production decoders come with either all their diesel or steam sounds installed.
Love the hands on install of the decoder buddy. Curious why use the two component install (decoder buddy and TCS Wow 121) vice using single TCS Wow 101 or single soundtraxx TSU-PNP?
Good question Walter. The benefits may be that you are soldering onto a relatively inexpensive board. The ease of replacement to an upgraded version of a decoder and the sale of a locomotive while retaining a decoder makes the sale more “generic”. The size of both the Mini and the other two Decoder Buddys generally leave more room for speakers, weight and stay alives. Thanks for asking!
In addition to what Nick said, I personally think it simplifies the installation process making it quicker and less likely for errors.
My opinion! This is a great job of how to hack a engine. Why people watching this are going to follow his directions and in the future sell it on eBay or other and someone is going to be extremely disappointed. either because they wanted a unmodified original or that this has been done. I know I would be. Given he did a good job.
Usually having a sound decoder installed in a loco is a selling point. And if you don’t want it you don’t have to buy it, simple.
Hi Larry, Nice work! What was the dimension or part number of the SB enclosure you used on your RS? I'd like to get the same one and try it out. Thanks!
I actually have done this a couple different ways. In the Atlas RS3 I used the TCS kit designed specifically for these locos. It includes a motherboard with Keep Alive on it, the decoder, and a WOWSound speaker and enclosure. I wrote about this installation in the June 2016 issue of Model Railroader if you want more pictures. For the Kato RS2 installation I used the small Decoder Buddy, 21 pin TCS WOWSound diesel decoder, and the Streamlined Backshop 11x15mm sugar cube speaker in their enclosure that is curved to fit the inside of a cab roof. I wrote about that version in the September 2020 MR.
Thanks. Where do I find a decoder like you installed ?
Just do a search on eBay for TCS WOWSound decoders or check dealers like Tonys Trains or Litchfield Station.
Could you do an old Atlas RS unit with the two weights?
Perfect timing, I have two just out of the paint booth that will need decoders.
@@TheDCCGuy Awesome. I have 6 with mobile only and LED lights I had done about 12 years ago. ALCO sounds would go nice with all my old steamers.
Larry could you share your cv settings? I have installed a Wow in my alco Atlas RS3 and love the way yours is running
2120 became 2110 at the end?
There are a pair of them.
lol, thought “grow”.😂😂😂😂
Nice tutorial but... you work in a RS2 2120 and you tested a 2110... why? Something wrong when you closed the 2120? Cheers from Portugal.
No, I did both at the same time and already had 2110 on the track so I shot it. They both run and sound the same.
Can I put a Mars light in an EMT gp40 bachman DCC
Can I put a Mars light in an EMd gp40 bachman DCC
Ho scale
If the decoder in the loco supports the Mars light option then yes, however you need to read the literature that came with the model to see.
Thank you ur awesome I love your videos very educational keep up the good 👍
Can I change CVS with my bachmann EZ command plus system