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6 Responses to Bachmann Diesels
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“I have 4 Bachmann diesels, all with on board dcc, and I want to add sound. Is there a printed how to manual or something to show step by step instructions? I am new to this. Thanks”
I would do one of a couple of things.
First – ask some of your closest modeler friends about this question.You will get a real answer that has been done before.
Second – I’d go to a local hobby store that sell a lot of trains and train supplies and purchase a book or booklet about the subject.
Third – read and learn.
Adding sound using Soundtrax boards are not that complicated…just follow all the instructions carefully. The real headache is where to mount the speaker as Bachmann did not allow enough room anywhere. Consult Soundtrax.com for the correct light board and the smallest speaker they offer…mine are located in the cab facing down as I have 3 of the SD-40-2’s…Bachmann has known this to be a problem for many years but cares less…..I bought my last Bachmann 2 years ago….no more for me…too much of a hassle
I would sell/trade up to sound-on-board locos…small speakers aren’t worth the surgery.
It is fairly easy to do. As Marvin stated, follow the instructions that come with the sound card. He is also correct in saying that the most difficult part is to find places to install them. That be said, there is very little, if any, soldering to do on the newer units as most seem to be the more common plug and play type units.
Donn,
I have added sound to two Bachmann diesels. I used a small generic MRC decoder. I have used Soundtraxx decoders and they work as well. Just make sure you don’t get one that is too big. Yes, you have to be a little creative as to where to mount the speaker. The larger diesels have more room than the smaller ones. You may have to cut out some the metal inside, but it isn’t a big deal. Wiring is simple, just follow the instructions. Once you have an NMRA 8 pin plug attached to the wires on the decoder, it should simply insert into the plug where the old DCC decoder plugged in to.
Not too tricky, just takes time. Go for it and good luck.
Ted
PROTO, ATLAS AND BACHMANN LEAVE LITTLE ROOM, BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT THE QSI MINI OVAL CAN NOT ONLY FIT IN SMALL PLACES IT PROVIDES BIG SOUND.
A SUGGESTION I HAVE FOUND USEFUL IS TO GO TO YOU TUBE AND TYPE IN BACHMANN AND EVEN THE PARTICULAR MODEL YOU’RE INTERESTED IN AND LOOK FOR INSTALLATIONS. MANY RAIL FANS ARE KIND ENOUGH TO PROVIDE TUTORIALS FOR THOSE OF US NEW TO DCC OR JUST LACKING IN EXPERIENCE AND OR SKILLS.
GOOD LUCK AND I PROMISE YOU EVEN BACHMANN CAN BE CONVERTED.