CR 812 chip

[dexterph5]

I'm thinking of going to DCC/sound and I was wondering what to put into my Bachmann Caledonian 812. It needs a next 18 decoder and it already has a prefitted speaker. I assume I need a sound chip with steam sounds for it. I know many dcc chips have wiring for a speaker fitted to them. I've taken it apart but I see no wires coming out of the loco to connect to the prefitted speaker.  If it makes any difference I live in the US, but i buy from the UK all the time. If you find an appropriate product could you send me a link in the comments? I'm new to this and I have yet to get any DCC chips or a controller.

-Dexter

[RAF96]

A Next18S (sound) decoder connects to a built in speaker via two of the socket pins. The speaker likely connects to the loco PCB simply by press touch contacts, hence why no obvious wires. If a decoder has a speaker plug as well (e.g. HM7000-N18TXS) this will be in parallel to the speaker pin connections, so either - or can be used. 

[dexterph5]

Quote

 

Thanks! I've heard some negative things on the Hornby bluetooth decoders such as they burn out and don't fit in to many locomotives. How would this be as an alternative?  https://www.ironplanethobbies.com/product/soundtraxx-tsunami-2-tsu-n18-steam-2-dcc-sound-decoder-next18-884010/

[Harlequin]

You could get a high quality Zimo sound decoder with an NEM compliant Next18 interface and a sound project specifically designed for the Caledonian 812, such as this:

 

https://www.youchoos.co.uk/Index-Shop.php?L1=Project&Item=CALEY812&SNDDECO=MS590N18&SPKFILT=ShowAll&SPK=None