If there was a badge for “model train diagnostician” you would be in line for it. Great work and nice run-by’s on the layout. I’ve got to get myself one of those Brightech lamps, looks like it would solve some of my challenges modeling N Scale. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Lance, will do! The way things have been going this summer it will be a couple more months before I get back into modeling mode. I have a couple more DCC install programs ready to be edited, but no slots to publish them! I also have a couple installs yet to do! There's no shortage of material here...
I love watching you work on the engine and the comments you make while doing it..that's real life.. not just here is step 1 step 2 and so on..thanks again and you make me want to try and do the same instead of just passing out the money for one that is already done..
Thanks! I like showing the trial and error nature of figuring this stuff out. I'm lucky to have observed someone who was very good at this stuff for a few years, so I have a small head start compare to someone who has never even seen it done, but there's nothing like opening the model up and getting your hands on it. So glad you like watching! If you know anyone else who might enjoy it, please share it!
With the new sound board in it sounds great. When you put the first ESU speaker in the system I thought it sounded like a lot of static, the other replacement speakers were just weak. Good job troubleshooting Nick and John.
Thanks Joe. I'm researching other possibilities for speakers to use in N scale locos so when I start filming more of my DCC install projects this fall I can show folks cool stuff that they might not have seen before.
I think you got it. Bad decoder, great video John. I have ESU Loksound decoders in some of my HO Scaletrains.com Locomotives. It's nice to know that ESU has good customer service. I may need it in the future. Thanks, Russ
As soon as you put the cube speaker on I knew it was the decoder that was messed up. One thing I notice about these decoders though is that they never ship in any kind of anti-static or ESD certified packaging. Those little circuits are just as prone to getting zapped as any other computer chips and this may be the reason for the bad sound from the first one. Anymore I think it is probably better now days to buy a sound version if available, it usually is about the same price or cheaper, and are typically custom programmed already with the correct sound file. But if the model does not come in a decoder that you like, then this is the route to go.
It does seem a bit curious that anti-static packaging isn't used. I have been enjoying the tinkering aspect of installing my own DCC decoders. Still learning, but that's also part of the fun, right?
John, I’m so glad you were able to get the new board. What speaker did you install, can you provide an item number. The speaker looks and fits perfectly in an N Scale loco. Please keep up the good work and looking forward to more. Arthur
The speaker I used is 11mmx15mm cube. It's a generic one off eBay and most closely resembles ESU's part # 50321 speaker. I got the one I used off eBay because the wire leads come off the speaker on the side, giving it a slightly thinner profile than the ESU part.
TSG Multimedia Make sure you go to the lower level of the observation car between Sacramento and Reno. There’s usually a volunteer from the California State Railroad Museum there who tells about the history of.spots along that stretch.
I believe I have two SD35s in that series that I still need to add decoders to. If I find anything unusual about them I'll make a video about it. They say DCC ready on the box, so I'm not expecting anything out of the ordinary.
No need to apologize. I was floored by all the comments from people who wanted to help! I thought it was going to be the speaker too, until I trouble-shot that piece of the equation.
That's what we all need to instill in not just the young by the old as well and that's not turning our noses up at others in the hobby who need help. What good is knowledge if you don't share it. If everyone would be willing to try and help everyone else like this, than for sure the hobby will grow by leaps and bounds again, at least imo.
If there was a badge for “model train diagnostician” you would be in line for it. Great work and nice run-by’s on the layout. I’ve got to get myself one of those Brightech lamps, looks like it would solve some of my challenges modeling N Scale. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the compliments. I use my Brightech lamp quite a bit when I am working on my models.
Wow..the sound blows me away.. great job.. always better to ask someone with more knowledge.. thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.. Lance
Thanks Lance, will do! The way things have been going this summer it will be a couple more months before I get back into modeling mode. I have a couple more DCC install programs ready to be edited, but no slots to publish them! I also have a couple installs yet to do! There's no shortage of material here...
I love watching you work on the engine and the comments you make while doing it..that's real life.. not just here is step 1 step 2 and so on..thanks again and you make me want to try and do the same instead of just passing out the money for one that is already done..
Thanks! I like showing the trial and error nature of figuring this stuff out. I'm lucky to have observed someone who was very good at this stuff for a few years, so I have a small head start compare to someone who has never even seen it done, but there's nothing like opening the model up and getting your hands on it. So glad you like watching! If you know anyone else who might enjoy it, please share it!
Glad you are staying with N scale, next time you came by...bring your Trains. Backroads
Will do, Backroads!
THANK YOU...for sharing. All this time I thought it was the speaker. Nice fix.
I did too, at first!
John great job! That new decoder and speaker did the job. sounds like it should." NICE"!
For sure! I was relieved when that new decoder switched on.
With the new sound board in it sounds great. When you put the first ESU speaker in the system I thought it sounded like a lot of static, the other replacement speakers were just weak. Good job troubleshooting Nick and John.
Yes, it turned out to be the amplifier in the first board. I thought the solution was a little surprising!
Great follow up video John. Glad you got it working! N scale is too small for my big clumsy hands! Keep em coming John!
Imagine working on Z scale!
Hmmmm not sure I can see that happening any time soon!!!!
Thats great you were able to trouble shoot it. It does sound great and looks good.
Thanks Joe. I'm researching other possibilities for speakers to use in N scale locos so when I start filming more of my DCC install projects this fall I can show folks cool stuff that they might not have seen before.
I think you got it. Bad decoder, great video John. I have ESU Loksound decoders in some of my HO Scaletrains.com Locomotives. It's nice to know that ESU has good customer service. I may need it in the future. Thanks, Russ
They really do. Nice people, good products, great service.
Sounds as good as a factory installed loco. Great work
Thanks, that might be because the speaker has a small enclosure.
Sounds 100 times better!
Nicely done John! Can't wait to see more installs.
Thanks MGR! More are forthcoming. I just have to get them shoe-horned into the schedule.
As soon as you put the cube speaker on I knew it was the decoder that was messed up. One thing I notice about these decoders though is that they never ship in any kind of anti-static or ESD certified packaging. Those little circuits are just as prone to getting zapped as any other computer chips and this may be the reason for the bad sound from the first one. Anymore I think it is probably better now days to buy a sound version if available, it usually is about the same price or cheaper, and are typically custom programmed already with the correct sound file. But if the model does not come in a decoder that you like, then this is the route to go.
It does seem a bit curious that anti-static packaging isn't used. I have been enjoying the tinkering aspect of installing my own DCC decoders. Still learning, but that's also part of the fun, right?
John, I’m so glad you were able to get the new board. What speaker did you install, can you provide an item number. The speaker looks and fits perfectly in an N Scale loco.
Please keep up the good work and looking forward to more.
Arthur
The speaker I used is 11mmx15mm cube. It's a generic one off eBay and most closely resembles ESU's part # 50321 speaker. I got the one I used off eBay because the wire leads come off the speaker on the side, giving it a slightly thinner profile than the ESU part.
Excellent!
Great video John.
Thanks SGT! It's always great to hear from you!
Nice work!
Thanks, I had fun figuring it out!
So, John...Do you think it was worth the trouble? I think it sounds great and I might need to do this to my Atlas UP SD24!
It was worth the trouble! That sound I was getting in the last episode was awful!
Glad to see you discovered the wonders of the sugar cube!!! Btw, you’re riding Amtrak to Salt Lake right?
Yes, and yes!
TSG Multimedia Make sure you go to the lower level of the observation car between Sacramento and Reno. There’s usually a volunteer from the California State Railroad Museum there who tells about the history of.spots along that stretch.
Cool thanks for the tip!
A sd9 install would be sweet
It will happen! I have one just waiting for DCC & Sound! Stay tuned...
I’ve never seen track cleaning cars, but I’ve heard of track cleaning locomotives. Kits you install underneath the locomotive so it cleans the tracks.
I'm surprised you haven't seen track cleaning cars. Most of the layouts I have visited use them.
John, I know this is not about the video but wanted to see if you had any idea. Is there a way to connect an NCE system to Kato track? Thanks!
I am 100% sure you can connect any DCC system to any track!
Have you ever tried to install sound into an HO scale Atlas "Red Box" locomotive, apparently they are DCC ready.
I believe I have two SD35s in that series that I still need to add decoders to. If I find anything unusual about them I'll make a video about it. They say DCC ready on the box, so I'm not expecting anything out of the ordinary.
@@tsgmultimedia By the Way I enjoyed your Star Wars Reference, Yours Always Darth Jedi Cody. And Yes, May the Force Be with you.
I am still not sold on sound in N scale.
I thought it might have been the speaker. Sorry I wasn't much help with my comment on part 1
No need to apologize. I was floored by all the comments from people who wanted to help! I thought it was going to be the speaker too, until I trouble-shot that piece of the equation.
That's what we all need to instill in not just the young by the old as well and that's not turning our noses up at others in the hobby who need help. What good is knowledge if you don't share it. If everyone would be willing to try and help everyone else like this, than for sure the hobby will grow by leaps and bounds again, at least imo.