Just bought a B-Man G Scale K-27, #455. Wondering if anyone has installed DCC/Sound in this locomotive? And what kind of problems can be expected? Have not yet had the chance to run locomotive yet, so I currently know nothing about it! Gotta read instructions, and watch instructional video for more! Information appreciated. Thanks.
I have done two. Used a Aristo Steam sound decoder from QSI. See this link. http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/product.php?productid=999003272&cat=0&page=1 You will also need a Magnum kit. http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/product.php?productid=999002777 BTW if you want the chuff rate to be good do not use the Bachmann cam on the rear driver. The spring contacts cause false contacts resulting in multi chuff changes. I installed four small magnets on the driver and used the reed switch that comes with the Aristo Steam kit. There is also a air wire kit so you can make this a wireless remote unit if you want to use a CVP control throttle. If you check the two links above I think you will find all of the information you will need.
How about the Phoenix system? Caboose Hobbies in Denver shows the following for the K-27: DECODER;P5;K27 BACHMANN FOR DCC AND AIRWIRE SYSTEMS Unfortunately, they do not include any other useful information. Any other information is appreciated. Thanks.
Planning on running QSI board on Digitrax DCC, or maybe Airwire. Can I install a different smoke unit, without blowing something up? And what would be a good smoke unit replacement? Information appreciated. Thanks.
I myself do not care for smoke units. When you think about it they are a direct short! Think of them as a large heating element like a electric stove. DCC does not like shorts. On the installs I have done, I have removed the smoke units.
Still unsure about smoke. Getting conflicting information about them. Sound board should be arriving a bit later this afternoon. Gonna install and test run. Have help available, if necessary, with additional programming of QSI board. I'll see how I like it when it arrives and when I get it installed. May shoot short video and post, for those interested.
I installed a QSI decoder in my K but I removed all the bachmann wiring and direct wired it myself. I am using airwire so I had to install the G wire card as well. For the record I am on battery power. I am not overly impressed with my QSI compared to my other Airwire cards. The sound is nice and the DCC lighting effects are superb but for me controls are sluggish. The QSI responds slowly and some of the functions do not always work, this is usually F1 and F2 the bell and horn controls. Other than that I have no major gripes. I would say though that I won't buy another one as i like my airwire and phoenix p5 setup better. As far as operations with the K there have been a few extensive writeups on other largescale forums. (sry i'm new here and don't know if they can be mentioned) Some of the major points are the counter weight issue that binds the drivers and wheel slide from side to side. Lesser points are the opitcal chuff sensor that doesn't seem to work too well. For the smoke unit, people say to turn the cooling fan over inside of it because it actually pulls the smoke back into the loco. I don't find the smoke unit very realistic plus they eat battery power alive so i remove them. aside from all that (and most of it is very minor) the K is a fine looking and running loco. It pulls strong runs smooth and looks fantastic! good luck and enjoy it! Tery
