How does dcc sound work

Our Decoder Selector lists our decoder and speaker recommendations many models though certainly not all locomotives and likely candidates for a good installation. If you are trying to select the right sound for your steam locomotive, Choosing the Right Steam Sound will be helpful. You can also cut to the chase and go directly to the Locomotive Airhorn Usage chart. Choosing the Right Sound System. If you are new to SoundTraxx and are unfamiliar with our products, knowing which product is most suited to your needs may seem to be a difficult choice.

We can simplify this decision with the following steps: 1. Understand the Key Differences Between Products Your next step in deciding which SoundTraxx product is right for you is to have a basic understanding of the differences in our product line: Digital Sound Decoders are designed to be installed onboard your model with a speaker to provide sound that comes from the locomotive itself.

They are most effective in HO, S, O and large-scale models. SurroundTraxx is currently designed to work with DCC layouts using Digitrax Command Control and block detection and provides under the layout surround-sound. It is especially effective with small scales, such as N-scale, where good onboard sound can be more difficult to achieve due to space constraints and the need for too-small-to-be-effective speakers. Some work better than others.

Broadway Ltd. As for the sound, you will need a sound box of some kind, Broadway and others make them, to operate sounds on DC. Above that and you risk frying the decoder, even a dual mode one. Have you treated yourself to a new locomotive recently? Many will also go further by including startup and shutdown sequences, crew radio conversations, coupling and uncoupling, dynamic braking, and even rail and flange sounds!

Just program the locomotive and activate the sounds as desired! Controlling the sounds of your locomotives from your DCC system is great, but you can go even further to truly immerse yourself in the ambience of your model railroad! The key driving factor of locomotive decoder choice has to be whether you desire sound and are prepared to pay the extra premium for the added functionality. The ability to play realistic sounds from your models has played a large part in converting many modellers from analogue to DCC.

For owners with large fleets of model locomotives looking to convert, the additional cost of sound might seem prohibitive, but ask yourself if every locomotive in your fleet requires sound. The noise of a Deltic Napier engine at full pelt hurtling around your layout is sure to be more impressive than a Class 08 that spends most of its time idling in a siding between duties. Calculating amperage. After sound come two simultaneous factors to consider — the size of decoder for the amount of space inside your model and the number of Amps that the decoder can handle.

Generally speaking, the larger the decoder, the larger the surface-mounted technology used, and hence, the more Amps the decoder can handle. Most new RTR models are designed for the easy installation of decoders inside models. These can be recognised by the DCC-Ready wording on the box. Matching a decoder to your model is important to avoid premature failure.

In essence, your model will consume a maximum number of Amps when in use - consider this the volume of electricity that is flowing through the components in your decoder. The highest reading that your multimeter indicates is your motor amperage — a key factor when choosing your decoder. Continuous or peak power are terms that many decoder manufacturers use. Knowing the difference between each is important.

As the name suggests, continuous power is the number of Amps that the decoder can handle non-stop without risk of damage. Peak power is the number of Amps a decoder can withstand for a brief moment lasting just a few seconds. Socket Type. These vary in dimensions and number of pins fitted.

Some manufacturers offer wiring harnesses or adapters to permit the installation of decoders with non-compatible sockets, too. Bear in mind that the six and eight-pin decoder sockets will restrict the number of individual accessory functions — such as lights — over Next18 or pin decoders, for example.

Eight-pin sockets are common with Hornby locomotives, with Bachmann and Dapol favouring pin versions for their OO gauge models and Next sockets on their most recent N gauge releases.

The manufacturer has kept away from the development of sound decoders in favour of developing unique features such as automatic shuttle technology — great for layouts with repetitive operations such as a DMU moving from a fiddleyard to a bay platform. Zen Black has three key advantages over Zen Blue:. The eight-pin harness decoder can be fitted either plug-and-socket or hard-wired.

Zen Mini has four mA functions along with a 1A motor drive. This four-function decoder measures 19mm x 11mm and benefits from an advanced brown-out protection that removes requirement for a small stay-alive capacitor and assists with running on dirty track.

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