Adding A Sound Decoder to an existing Lenz Gold Maxi

G

Graham ASH

Fn3 Logging & Mining
Hi AllL
I have 3 Bachmann locos and each one has a Gold Maxi in it, and all work okay. I use Lenz Dcc and the locos are a Mallet (2-6-6-2), a Heisler, and a Climax.
I would like a easy to connect Sound decoder to fit into each of the three locos, and wish to retain my 3 Lenz decoders.
Dose anyone have any idea as to what sound decoder I can fit in, there cost and how easy they are to fit ?
thanks
graham
 
Hi Graham,

You need Dietz X3 SUSI sound decoders, you can get them for £50.00 each from a UK dealer.

Dietz do have sounds for Heisler, Climax probably the Uintah one for the Mallet. Check out the web site for the sounds available here: http://www.d-i-e-t-z.de/

The sound decoders simply connect to the SUSI interface on your decoders, and to an 8ohm speaker (extra cost). The install is very easy. Most of my sound installs have been done this way, including two recent installs. I did a review of the sound decoders on the Dietz X3 vs Massoth S thread.

Get the decoders from here: http://www.aandh-models.co.uk/ as the Uhlenbrock 32300 Intellisound 3 Module, these are the same as the Dietz X3. Get Chris to progarm in the sounds of your choice, which he will do for free.
 
Thanks for that Cliff, will get back to you on it
 
Hi Cliff
Just spoken to Chris. Ive ordered a Sound decoder, plus cable and speaker from him which should be here tommorow, thanks for your help will let you know how I get on fitting it in
Graham
 
Hi Graham,

Good luck with the install.

What speakers did you get? I got mine from elsewhere.

By default the instructions that come with the SUSI module are in German, but English instructions are available on the Uhlenbrock web site.

If I can help in anyway do let me know.
 
Hi Cliff
I had a short chat with Chris, I think its a 47cms speaker, but should know if it all arrives tommorow.
I also am getting it ready loaded with Heisler sound and with a connector to fit it straight on to the Lenz Gold.
I can get by in German, spent 12 years out there, but if I get stuck I will certainly ask.
If this installation goes okay i will certainly use it on my Mallet and my Climax
Should arrive tommorow, will let you know
thanks again Graham
 
Am I seeing correctly that the 36320 is a sound decoder for the small locos for just £81.
 
SGR said:
Am I seeing correctly that the 36320 is a sound decoder for the small locos for just £81.
Click to expand...
Yes it seems so according to my web searching. Probably designed for OO/HO as it is rated at 1.2A (2A peak). Possibly might do for a small one motor G scale loco.
 
Cliff George said:
SGR said:
Am I seeing correctly that the 36320 is a sound decoder for the small locos for just £81.
Click to expand...
Yes it seems so according to my web searching. Probably designed for OO/HO as it is rated at 1.2A (2A peak). Possibly might do for a small one motor G scale loco.
Click to expand...

Couldn't find anything in the specs about voltage limits on this or the other small decoders - will they take 22-24v or are they designed for the typical 12v of an OO/HO system?

Jon.
 
High Cliff, Sound Decoder arrived an hour ago, plus speaker and instructions.
Looks like an easy fit, going to have a go at it now, so should be back soon.
The speaker is an Uhlebrook 31160 and is (LxBXH) - 46x46x22 cms - its square so should fit ok, I think enclosing the speaker in a housing will be longest job, rest looks a piece of cake
Graham
 
Hi Cliff
All ok, Ive fitted the speaker in and its nigh on a perfect fit, not room for anything bigger.Had to drill holes through the base of the tender, and then used a silicon glue to fix it down and seal the whole speaker in.Soldered up the two wires from sound decoder to speaker, simply fitted the sound decoder to side of tender and connected up to Lenz decoder with no problems. It sounds pretty good, especially the whistles, will need to adjust CV on blow down valve but other than that its great. Money wise I paid about £160 for an XLS, this system its £50 for a Lenz maxi and £64 for the sound decoder and speaker - thats a saving of £64 which is huge in this day and age. Only my Mallet and Climax to do now - thanks such a lot Cliff for your help, your a star
 
Zerogee said:
Couldn't find anything in the specs about voltage limits on this or the other small decoders - will they take 22-24v or are they designed for the typical 12v of an OO/HO system?
Jon.
Click to expand...

Good point Jon. I couldn't find anything either but I've asked a contact the question.

Assuming it would take the higher voltages then it could possibly be used as a complete and cheaper replacement for the Massoth S just by ignoring its motor outputs.
 
I thought that this was a neat feature of the Uhlenbrock large scale decoder, although possibly needing clarification as to whether they are referring to the older analogue sound modules with the axle driven Hall sensor or the later digital sound box, #6500X series -

"Connection of older LGB sound modules possible by outputting of LGB pulse trains (via output A1)"
 
Zerogee said:
Couldn't find anything in the specs about voltage limits on this or the other small decoders - will they take 22-24v or are they designed for the typical 12v of an OO/HO system?
Jon.
Click to expand...

I have been told by Uhlenbrock that their OO/HO decoders will work at 24v and below. I only asked them if they would work at up to this voltage. Any decoder (except those designed for n scale) that meets with the NMRA standard will work at up to 27V. I note that Uhlenbrock are claiming their decoders are 'NMRA compatible'. Not sure if this means full compliance or not.
 
As a Finale on fitting a Lenz Maxi decoder and a Dietz Sound decoder to a Bachmann F Scale Heisler, heres how it went.

Firstly I obtained a brand new lenz maxi 5 amp decoder from Ebay - cost £50. I fitted this decoder by simply removing the engines tender by undoing 4 screws underneath, and then taking out the weight in the base of the truck and putting this to one side. I then used a 1/4" drill bit and cut 12 - 1/4" holes in the base of the loco in order to let the sound out. I cut the holes in such an area so that the speaker I intended to use (a 46mm one) would cover all the holes. I used silicon sealant to seal the speaker on to the now holed area, with this sealed properly I knew that I would have no problems with sound leakage.
Next I soldered 2 cables onto the two speaker attatchments and left it all to settle.
I ordered the Dietz (Uhlenbrook ) 32300 Intellisound unit plus a spare speaker from A&H Models and it arrived the following morning - excellent service Chris
I then had a quick look at how it all went together and set out to do it,
I soldered the two wire ends coming from the speaker to the sound decoder, and fitted the sound decoder onto the rear wall of the tender using double sided tape.
Next I plugged the suzi interface lead into the socket on the Lenz Maxi.
Put the loco on a test track and it fired up straight away. Tested all the sounds which had been already programmed in by Chris at A & H and although some CV`s need fine tuning theres not much wrong.
Pricing wise and ease of fitting: Well the Lenz Maxi is to me an industrial strength decoder, up to 5 amps and its easy to fit - just follow Lenz`s instructions.
and that cost me £50. The Dietz sound decoder, cost me £50 again plus a speaker at £3.99, total cost = £104.
The last ESU XLS cost me £165 plus a speaker plus postage, the sounds are about equal and I reckon Ive enjoyed fitting this one, much easier and quite a bit cheaper
Anyone with any questions please contact me
 
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