Sound Decoder For N Scale Aerotrain

[spookshow]

I'd like to put a sound decoder in my N scale Con-Cor Aerotrain, but I have no idea which of the currently available options (if any) would be appropriate. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
-Mark

[nstars]

You need a decoder with a 12 cylinder EMD 567 engine. Both Loksound and Soundtraxx have these in their program. Even Zimo could be an option if you use the NW2 sound file (same as in the Kato NW2).

Marc

[peteski]

I have the Aerotrain set.  IIRC, it is equipped with a standard 8-pin decoder connector, but my plan is to eliminate that and neatly hardwire the decoder and add a speaker. One of these days  . . .

[spookshow]

I ordered an ESU LokSound 58420 V5 8-pin sound decoder loaded with an SW1200 sound file. I also ordered an ESU 50342 rectangular speaker (8 ohm, 1/2 Watt, 11/32" x 1/2" x 1/8"). So, we'll see how that all works out.

Thanks,
-Mark

[nstars]

Mark,

My brother did the sound conversion of our Aerotrain 7 years ago using a Loksound Select decoder with a 12 cylinder 567C sound file. I do have to mention this was more than only inserting a sound decoder and speaker but it makes a great noise.

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Marc

[spookshow]

58420 turned out to be too wide to fit inside the Aerotrain's DCC car. Gonna try a 58820 instead.

-Mark

[Wutter]

My brother did the sound conversion of our Aerotrain 7 years ago using a Loksound Select decoder with a 12 cylinder 567C sound file. I do have to mention this was more than only inserting a sound decoder and speaker but it makes a great noise.

Any chance you have the documentation somewhere about the conversion of the couplings to be 2-conductor through the magnets and get rid of the connectorized wire harness between the cars? I seem to remember that modification was done?

[spookshow]

The install was pretty painless and everything seems to be working as advertised. Now I just need to figure out why the rear truck on the engine keeps derailing and I'll be in business.

I did notice something a bit odd about the add-on cars (of which I have two in my train). Whereas the cars in the base set have interior lighting that is always on, the interior lighting in the add-on cars only comes on when the locomotive is moving. Also, it's noticeably brighter in the add-on cars.

Anyway, I'll try to organize a video when I have some time.

-Mark

[spookshow]

Apologies for the quality of the video, I don't know how to get foreground focus with my phone.

-Mark

[spookshow]

I did notice something a bit odd about the add-on cars (of which I have two in my train). Whereas the cars in the base set have interior lighting that is always on, the interior lighting in the add-on cars only comes on when the locomotive is moving. Also, it's noticeably brighter in the add-on cars.

Actually, that's not quite right. It turns out that cars behind the DCC-Coach are always lit and cars ahead of the DCC-Coach only have lighting when they are moving. So, I moved the DCC-Coach to the front of the line (behind the engine) and now they all have interior lighting all the time. What a strange feature (or accidental behavior).

-Mark

[Allthingsmustpass]

Mark,

I am also trying the 58820 8-Pin with speaker into the N Scale Aerotrain.   Did everything fit in the DCC ready car comfortably or did you have to do modifications.

Do you have any pictures of the install?

Thanks
Tom

[spookshow]

I am also trying the 58820 8-Pin with speaker into the N Scale Aerotrain.   Did everything fit in the DCC ready car comfortably or did you have to do modifications.

Getting everything to fit inside the DCC-Coach required the removal of most of the seats. Once that all was out of the way, I was able to mount the speaker to the floor. I had to use the lowest profile plastic sound baffle they had and also had to sand a bit off the ends to get it to fit crosswise inside the car. Once that was installed there was just enough room to put the decoder on the floor next to it. Said decoder has an 8-pin connector at the end of a long ribbon cable, so that plugged right into the car's motherboard (I had to fold the ribbon cable into an "S" to get it to fit inside the allotted space). Lastly, I soldered the two brown speaker wires to the contacts on the speaker.

-Mark