Sound Decoder for 0-6-6-0 Mallet

stevelewis

stevelewis

Registered
Are there any recommendations for Sound decoders for a DR 0-6-6-0 LGB Black Mallet ( the one with all the Gubbins on the boiler)

Its a few years since I fitted one in a Mallet and I am out of touch with latest developments!
 
Personally I still think it's hard to beat a Massoth XLS for ease of installation and general reliability, Steve. I have exactly the same Mallet as you mention, bought it with factory sound board and a horrible (but factory-installed!) mix of old 55020 decoder plus 55030 booster (which was faulty) - ripped out both the latter and put in an XL with the six-pin interface cable, dead easy and works fine. As you've got a non-sound version an XLS should be a simple install, plus you've plenty of room for one of the nice powerful speakers.....

Only talking from personal experience and preferences here - i'm sure others will chime in with their own favourites! ;)

Jon.
 
Thanks Jon

I thought it would be something like you suggest,

I bought this one recently from Tim at Arcadia and I fitted an LGB Decoder as a stop gap until I could get around to fitting a sound decoder,

There seems to be even more room inside these locos now than the older ones i used to own, when I get round to fitting a sound decoder I will post a pic of hte innards.

Incidentally it was interesting to note that Marklin are obviously trying to shave costs by not fitting some parts but supplying them for the buyer to fit, in dhe case of this Mallet it was the 2 crew figures, and the 2 flag poles? which fit on the fron of the footplate.
 
Ah, so yours is one of the brand-new Marklin types, Steve? Mine is quite old, dating from the first MTS period around 2000 (hence the use of the very early 55020/55030 lash-up!).

What kind of DCC interface does your loco come equipped with? I'm assuming it's NOT the new Marklin 28-pin one, but most likely the inline 10-pin connector? If I'm right in that assumption, then putting an XLS in should be a doddle, using the ten-pin plug that comes supplied with the decoder - just make sure you wire the plug wiring loom correctly to the XLS's screw terminals, then plug it in and Robert is your Dad's brother..... :)

Jon.
 
Yes its the familiar 10 pin socket which I suppose will become redundant as future production swings toward the MFX system.

I used to really enjoy (Not) fitting decoders to LGB locos in the early days hardwiring and isolating such fun!!
 
stevelewis said:
Yes its the familiar 10 pin socket which I suppose will become redundant as future production swings toward the MFX system.

I used to really enjoy (Not) fitting decoders to LGB locos in the early days hardwiring and isolating such fun!!
Click to expand...

Oh I dunno, it can be very satisfying hardwiring an old clamshell loco for DCC..... ;)

But yes, if you've got the 10-pin socket then an XLS is about as plug'n'go as you can get, I reckon! :)

Jon.
 
I found in the old days!! the best place for hardwiring g scale was the kitchen plenty of flat surfaces!!

So I used to arrange it when SWMBO was out for the afternoon, used to get everything spread out soldering irons , tools etc... one afternoo I managed to do 3 USA Trains F7 diesels, without leaving a trace of my activities.

Then one afternoon it was the turn of an LGB Forney, no problem decoder socket on board 1/2 hour job I thought :)
However the decoder socket was in a really difficult place right under the smoke box, which involved an almost complete loco disassembly and rebuild when the decoder was finally fitted..... just manged to clear away as footsteps were coming up the drive!
 
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