MTH Protosound in G scale loco

[beavercreek]

I have just been looking at some MTH Protosound footage of units that were installed in G scale locos. The sound quality is really superior even to Phoenix ( I have Soundtraxx, LGB and Phoenix sound units). Has any one over here in UK done an install of MTH protosound and control into a USAT, Bachmann, Aristo or even LGB?

US installer detail
http://www.rayman4449.dynip.com/DCS_Install_Services.htm < Link To http://www.rayman4449.dyn...S_Install_Services.htm

 

[royale]

You could try Tennents Trains in Hagley near Halesowen. They're Lionel and Gauge 0 MTH dealers. They used to do 1 Gauge MTH and their repair mechanic is an American guy, Rob Lewis, who would probably know how to install the Protosound system, as he is very familiar with it.

 

[royale]

Should have added that you might need the MTH DCS Remote Control System to operate the Protosound. It's digital, like Massoth, where you can operate many locos on the same track with the one controller. I have one to use with my 1 Gauge Challenger and Daylight - got it from the US for about $250 - very clever piece of kit.

 

[beavercreek]

Many thanks John

Of course I imagine that the MTH system is totally incompatible with any other digital system (VHS and Betamax, Bluray and HD disc etc etc)

 

[Westcott]

Absolutely right - totally incompatible!

Yes, the sound - chuff, bell, whistle - is great, but as Royale notes, you'll need the DCS transmitter and receiver as well as a ProtoSound upgrade kit for a non-MTH loco.

The upgrade relies on being able to fit an optical coding ring round a flywheel. This is used by the "chip" to control the loco speed and chuff.

Picture of flywheel inside my Challenger -

 

[beavercreek]

Thanks Hamish
Did you have it done by the company that was suggested (Tennents)
As I have so many locos which are analogue (controlled with Aristocraft TE system) and only a few have DCC chips in situ, it seems that installing the protosound system will be a real expensive luxury to have the superior sound. I was watching some vids of the smoke control as well which looked absolutely superb....oh well it is nice to dream. My challenger will just have to have Phoenix and be done....
The next phase will just have be to DCC a part of my layout (I have three distinct sections) and chip a few of the locos.....

 

[Westcott]

Mine's an MTH Challenger, so it came already fitted.
I had to open the loco to get the sound to work, a plug had come loose.
While it was open I took the picture of the motor.


What make of Challenger do you have?

 

[beavercreek]

Hi Hamish
It is an Aristocraft one

 

[royale]

My Challenger and Daylight are both MTH - the sound and smoke systems are built in.The sounds are impressive and include passenger station or freight announcements as well as cab chatter when the locos are stationary. The synchronised smoke looks great, especially on my Daylight, which blasts it out. Be interesting to see how much it would be to get a loco converted over here.

 

[Tony Walsham]

As far as I know AristoCraft have never made a Challenger.

 

[beavercreek]

Whoops sorry, you can never be imprecise on this forum. It is in actual fact an Aristocraft Mallet 2-8-8-2 and not a Challenger which would be 4-6-6-4