DCC Impulses Column - 3
Mechanically
– The SoundCar’s dimensions are 1.85 x 0.55 x
0.33 inches (47 x 14 x 8.5 mm). They are small enough to fit
inside N-scale cars. They have 9 wires coming through a mini
JST connector and out of one end, and a 2-pin socket on the
other end to connect the SoundTraxx CurrentKeeper. They are
shrink wrapped for heat management and electrical protec-
tion. There is a magnetic sensor on the board. For reasons we
will discuss later, the recommendation is to mount the decoder
on the ceiling of the car and as far away from the speaker’s
magnet as possible.
Electrically
– The SoundCar will withstand G-scale voltages, track
as high as 22 volts. They are optimized for an 8-ohm speaker
load, but will stand higher. The audio output is one watt.
The unit I received draws about 10-20 mA in a quiescent state
– enough to trigger any block detector. Sound and lights add
more current. To deliver 1-watt, the sound could consume as
much as 100 mA.
3. SoundTraxx Installation drawing.
3
MRH-Sep 2014
