Has anyone attempted to install a micro Tsunami in a Kato PA or PB? I have been thinking about trying this, I was figuring you could go one of two ways. Fit the decoder with a tiny speaker in the PA unit or turn the PB unit into just a sound unit with a larger speaker and send wires to the PA, this would make a permanent lash up. I searched but did not find much through Google. Although I did find some expensive professional installs. The easy choice would be to go with the MRC drop in decoder, but every post I see that compares the MRC to a micro-Tsunami - it is no contest. A Micro-Tsunami wins hands down. I have fallen in love the PA and I really think I want to attempt adding sound to it.
Thanks for asking this question Tom... I have been wondering the same thing. I have 3 sets of PA/PB's all ABA so dummying the B unit wouldn't be that big of a deal if it came down to it. :tb-cool:
This was the professional install I found...with Loksound... [ame="http://tr.youtube.com/watch?v=uL_9VhEsa8U&feature=channel_page"]YouTube - KATO N Scale PA Diesel with Custom LokSound Micro Sound Decoder and MARS light[/ame] Expensive, but impressive with the Mars light.
I picked up recently a Lifelike PB dummy with tons of room for a sound decoder. The trucks have the pickups, still, so track power won't be an issue. The couplers are proving to be a pain to swith, but I will get them out eventually. I have been looking at different decoders. I like the sounds of the TSU-1000 for the Alco 244. I am concerned about programming the chip, however. I don't have a sound decoder programmer, and I don't know if I can edit setting with either my Zephyr or my Sprog II. Anyway, this will be run in a consist with other Alcos without sound decoders.
Here is a Life Like FA with Loksound, the A unit has a TCS decoder, the B unit has the loksound decoder. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ2LRt2Pw3s"]YouTube - Alco FA's N de M on SDSONS layout[/ame]
I did some more research, and it looks like Tsunami recommends a gas tank install location for the speaker for Diesel locomotives. This would require modification to the frame, something I don't think I am ready for yet. I found a picture of dummy PB unit install using a larger decoder and 2 speakers that looked interesting, but I would need to find a dummy B unit the matched the Kato's already purchased. Looks like I am going to go the MRC plug in route for now in the PA, and make the GS-4 my first Tsunami install since I can find great instructions on this board for it. Maybe after that experience I will be more confident to do the PA on my own. I will be tempted to do this in the future and hope to find more people who have done this.
I have a dummy PB unit made by LL in Daylight colors. If I remember, I will check it against my daylight cars when I get home to see how it matches id you'd like.
That sounds very close to an Alco. There needs to be more sounds like pop off valves and the like especially at idle. The start up sounded like it needed some work but otherwise I thought they did a good job imitating and recreating the sound.
I thank you for the offer, and would be interested if it is close. My current PA/PB is actually Santa Fe, but I was planning on getting a PA/PB in SP Daylight too. I bought the PA/PB set in Santa Fe and an E8/9 in SP Daylight this past weekend. I am collecting both passenger trains.
I will compare them. I don't know if the LL dummy PB is still made, but I got one off that auction site without too much difficulty or expense.
I like them, and have had no issues with them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itzt...d.php?t=109015&page=2&feature=player_embedded
I've done three PA's (ABA) with the new MRC PA sound decoders and am also pleased with them. I had previously done one with the F unit decoder as pictured above and it might be my ears playing tricks but if anything I think the new PA decoders might sound a bit better. And there's no frame milling involved with either.
To get back to the color matching question - I cannot discern any difference between the paint on the LL PB dummy that I have in Daylight colors and the Daylight paint on my passenger cars. The prototype cars probably had more variation than this.
They're not hard to find on that auction site, and some retailers may even still have them. If you are in doubt as to whether it's the same kind of thing, just PM me the URL of what you are looking at and I will let you know. The number on my dummy is 5912. I got it for installing sound.
