Although not relatively new to programming, but still learning the N scale side with limited decoders as I standardized my HO fleet with Soundtraxx mobile decoders and Tsunami/Econami decoders because they are virtually identical in speed matching with little programming and ease in consisting so that's all I'm used to. So my question is that I'm debating about getting a couple of the Aztec frames for the Kato F7s for sound for my two A units and maybe my middle B unit. Currently the B's are equipped with Digitrax DN163K0B decoders. If I install Digitrax SDN144K0A decoders in the A's, how close are they speed "matched out of the box" with the non-sound decoders? I also intend to unsolder the OEM light and wire a headlight to the door light, and also install a gyralight in the upper housing area. Is this possible? I'm guessing I could map the rear headlight to be on when running forward and use it for gyralight effect, but also have thought about doing a red emergency light in the top housing as well. Is any of it possible or an easier way of going about this? I only intend to most likely do it in one A unit. This is the soundfile I was going to most likely use unless someone has a better one out there I haven't found. http://www.digitrax.com/sound-depot/emd-567b-16-fp7a-non-turbo-roots-1500hp/ I believe that would be correct for Santa Fe F7s. Chris
I can't speak to how close the sound vs regular decoders are "out of the box", but I have never had problems speed matching N scale Digitrax decoders to each other with JMRI. There are extra pads on the decoder which you can wire other LEDs to for additional functions, and there is built in gyralight effect, so you don't have to give up the rear LED. The drop in board has front and rear LEDs installed.
Thanks for the info. I just wanted to make sure if I went that route that it was possible before spending the time and money on frames and decoders. Now with the new Soundtraxx Econami decoders I'm half tempted to hard wire of those in to see how they sound, just not sure if I will have to mill the frame down some to get the shell to fit over the decoder. Since I have an ABBBA set, thought about doing the two As and the middle B with sound and the middle two Bs with the Soundtraxx MC1Z102SQ. Lots of hard wiring with that project though. With them being so new I haven't seen any N scale applications with them other than THT use it in a FEF. Chris
