external DCC-decoder

[UodalKauf]

Hi!
I'm building a very small indoor G-Scale layout using just one engine. I don't want to open the engine to put a DCC sound decoder into it (I don't know if it has a socket), so I thought: how about using the decoder outside the engine, connecting the motor control to the tracks and the sound output to a computer aktive sound system (I've got several). Do you think that there may be some problems with this setup? What decoder would you recommend (for an USA trains S4)?
Utz

 

[dunnyrail]

Hi!
I'm building a very small indoor G-Scale layout using just one engine. I don't want to open the engine to put a DCC sound decoder into it (I don't know if it has a socket), so I thought: how about using the decoder outside the engine, connecting the motor control to the tracks and the sound output to a computer aktive sound system (I've got several). Do you think that there may be some problems with this setup? What decoder would you recommend (for an USA trains S4)?
Utz

Nothing wrong with that in theory, however you will loose the benefit of the higher AC voltage passing through the loco to power the DC of the motor.

 

[Software Tools]

Do you think that there may be some problems with this setup

A fundamental problem is the motor-side of a DCC decoder has marginal (if indeed any) short circuit protection, so any short circuits on the track connected to the motor-side will quite likely kill the decoder. Basically a DCC decoder is just designed for that sort of operation.

 

[UodalKauf]

A fundamental problem is the motor-side of a DCC decoder has marginal (if indeed any) short circuit protection, so any short circuits on the track connected to the motor-side will quite likely kill the decoder. Basically a DCC decoder is just designed for that sort of operation.

Okay that would be a big problem - so I just have to live with DC control without sound ... that is sad because I was used to sound in my earlier HO and On30 engines. Is there any way to get sound while using DC control?

 

[dunnyrail]

Okay that would be a big problem - so I just have to live with DC control without sound ... that is sad because I was used to sound in my earlier HO and On30 engines. Is there any way to get sound while using DC control?

Erm My Loco Sound will work just fine with a DC controller, ok you will need a TV remote to access the sounds but will work just fine.

 

[UodalKauf]

Erm My Loco Sound will work just fine with a DC controller, ok you will need a TV remote to access the sounds but will work just fine.

I just looked at these sound cards and I think these will be my best choice. Using it outside the engine with an active Computer speaker system should be easy to install and use. I don't mind that I have to use a TV remote for the sounds.
Thank you for this information!