Bachmann EM-1 with Tsunami Sound (photos added)

[jdcolombo]

Here's my first effort at putting sound in the new Bachmann EM-1:

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Components: TCS Z2 decoder in the cab for motor control (that's the red wire you see in the video; needs paint!); TSU-750, medium steam in articulated sound mode in the tender; 14 x 25mm oval speaker in separate enclosure made from lead sheet mounted below the coal load, and a whole bunch of wires.  The original electronics board and stock decoder were completely removed.

Still experimenting; I might replace the medium steam decoder with a heavy steam, since I think the articulated chuffs sound better on the heavy steam decoder.  The whistle isn't correct for the EM-1, but I used what I have

This is more "proof of concept" than anything - proving to myself that it can be done.  Took about 8 hours of work, and I'll post some photos of the very crowded tender with the various components tomorrow sometime.

John C.

[GaryHinshaw]

Really nice!  While mostly a confirmed modernist, I can see wanting to run sound-equipped cab-forwards over Tehachapi BC someday.   

[rogergperkins]

  John, you have proved it can be done!!
Thanks for sharing.
Sounds as if some tweaks may be in your plans for phase 2.

[davefoxx]

Really nice!  While mostly a confirmed modernist, I can see wanting to run sound-equipped cab-forwards over Tehachapi BC someday.   

Dual era layouts can be fun.  You'll just have to replace all of your concrete ties for wooden ties when changing eras to the distant past.   

[jdcolombo]

Some photos of the installation:

First, the tender insides as it comes from the factory:



Tender floor with circuit board removed:



Tender trucks hard-wired to a small piece of circuit board; note that the truck wiper posts on the front truck have been trimmed flush with the floor to clear the speaker.



Install almost complete; still need to put in an LED for the rear light.



John C.

[rogergperkins]

John et. al.,  is there a single decoder with sound that also controls motor and other functions and would fit this tender and allow for a speaker?
I have never added DCC or sound, so do not fully understand the basics. Thanks.
Just appreciate the results you have achieved with n-scale steam sound. 

[jdcolombo]

John et. al.,  is there a single decoder with sound that also controls motor and other functions and would fit this tender and allow for a speaker?
I have never added DCC or sound, so do not fully understand the basics. Thanks.
Just appreciate the results you have achieved with n-scale steam sound.

Doug Sluder over on Trainboard posted that he used a Tsunami (which will do motor control; I just don't use it for that purpose) and a Knowles Dumbo speaker (13mm X 18mm X 4.5mm) without removing the circuit board in the tender.  He mounted the speaker below the coal load (he built an enclosure from styrene that basically is the same height as the speaker); then he desoldered the stock decoder (8 wires) and soldered in the Tsunami in its place.  That's it.  I have ordered a few of the Knowles Dumbo speakers from Digikey and will try this next week on my second EM-1.  If this works like Doug said, then it makes the sound conversion about a 30-minute job and easy enough that anyone with modest soldering skills could do it.

The Dumbo speaker is very interesting, and I think is similar to the "sugar cube" speakers everyone is talking about.  It apparently was designed for use in smart phones and tablets, and has a rectangular cone area (instead of an oval).  The specs are excellent for a speaker this size, with useable output down to 500hz.   If it works well, it would be an ideal speaker for a LOT of applications given the 13mm width - it would fit in almost any tender.

I will say that I'm having thoughts about trying to use one of the new TCS WOW sound decoders.  They are large, but would fit in the EM-1 tender (again, I'd have to remove the circuit board and hard-wire the tender trucks, but that's not really an issue) with something like the Dumbo speaker.  I watched all the video demos of the WOW last night, and it is very impressive - particularly how easy it is to set the chuff rate and other options.   I'm hoping they make a "mini" version of this for N scale at some point, but since the EM-1 has the room, I might buy one and try it out.  I've generally been pleased with TCS's motor control, although the TCS Z2 I used in my first EM-1 install doesn't produce quite the slow-speed smoothness that the stock Bachmann decoder did (which someone told me was made for them by Lenz).  It's fine, but I notice just the slightest "hitch" at speed step 1.  Once I get to 3 (of 128), it smooths out.

But if I can replicate Doug Sluder's work, that's clearly the easier way to go.  You can't always get a perfect chuff-to-driver sync with a Tsunami alone, but you can usually get pretty close (witness the Athearn Big Boy and newest Challengers, which use only a Tsunami for both sound and motor control).

John C.

[Bill H]

Guys;
As the EM-1 was a simple articulated, any thoughts on which sound decoder has the best match for a simple articulated and still is correct for the B&O whistle?

Kind regards,
Bill

[Cajonpassfan]

John, I've followed Doug's Dumbo install with interest, and I will be especially anxious to learn what you think of it. The specs certainly look good, as does the size and integral baffle. If we can get continuous low frequencies down to 500 Hz, I can think of a whole bunch of applications, even in diesels where low end rumble is particularly important. Looking forward to learn more about these "smart" speakers...
Otto K.

[rogergperkins]

John, thanks for the critique of Doug's approach to sound in the EM-1.
Eagerly awaiting further developments.

[carlso]

Here is a picture of three speakers that I have used in different locos. The Dumbo is the far right. It is 13x18x4.5mm and should install easier in a tight tender. If you have seen Doug's posting with this speaker in his EM-1 you will agree, I think, that the sound is quite good.

Carl

[Mike Madonna]

Carlso,

The speaker in the middle, is that a CT Elektronik or Zimo "Sugar Cube" or ????

Thanks!

[carlso]

Mike,

I got that from Litchfield. It is Zimo 10 x 15 x 8 mm, 8 ohm, 1W speaker. At 8 mm high it will be more difficult to place in some N scale tenders. I have not installed one of these, however I placed a CTE in my GS4 and it is much better than the 11x14 oval that I had in it.

Carl

[peteski]

The Zimo speaker is so tall because it includes a sound chamber. If it is removed, it looks very similar to the Dumbo speaker.  The sound chamber is fairly easily removed (attached with double-sided foam adhesive gasket).

[rogergperkins]

Where has Doug posted photos or videos of his EM-1 with sound?  I checked TrainBoard earlier and saw a post, but no pictures.