Sound for PIKO BR260
- Thread starter MartinP
- Start date
Zerogee
Clencher's Bogleman
Hi Martin,
Massoth XLS, item 8220530 is the one pre-programmed for the V60/V260 I believe (though most stockists both here and in Germany will programme a generic stock one with whatever sound file you need). About £160-£180-ish, including speaker, over here (shop around for best price, they do vary!) - or about £147 direct from Germany, but watch out for flat-rate shipping charges. Very straightforward to fit, all connections to the decoder are via screw terminals so you don't need to do any soldering. Someone recently posted a similar installation on here for a Piko BR199/Harzkamel, showing what to do with the power and lighting connections - your V260 will be pretty much the same. The only (slight) complication is making sure you remember to adjust the relevant CVs for the lighting voltage before applying track power, as the lights are all LEDs.
There are other sound decoder options, such as the ESU Loksound, which some folks on here like a lot - I only suggest the Massoth because that's the one I'm most familiar with myself. The Piko option, as you've noticed, seems extremely expensive for what it is - possibly because it's two separate units rather than a single integrated driving and sound decoder. I think the Piko units are actually re-badged Uhlenbrock decoders and Dietz (or is it Zimo?) sound units - others here know more of this than I do and can confirm or correct.
Jon.
Massoth XLS, item 8220530 is the one pre-programmed for the V60/V260 I believe (though most stockists both here and in Germany will programme a generic stock one with whatever sound file you need). About £160-£180-ish, including speaker, over here (shop around for best price, they do vary!) - or about £147 direct from Germany, but watch out for flat-rate shipping charges. Very straightforward to fit, all connections to the decoder are via screw terminals so you don't need to do any soldering. Someone recently posted a similar installation on here for a Piko BR199/Harzkamel, showing what to do with the power and lighting connections - your V260 will be pretty much the same. The only (slight) complication is making sure you remember to adjust the relevant CVs for the lighting voltage before applying track power, as the lights are all LEDs.
There are other sound decoder options, such as the ESU Loksound, which some folks on here like a lot - I only suggest the Massoth because that's the one I'm most familiar with myself. The Piko option, as you've noticed, seems extremely expensive for what it is - possibly because it's two separate units rather than a single integrated driving and sound decoder. I think the Piko units are actually re-badged Uhlenbrock decoders and Dietz (or is it Zimo?) sound units - others here know more of this than I do and can confirm or correct.
Jon.
bunnyrabbit03
Registered
There is no need to adjust the CVs for lighting, as the LEDs come complete with resistors suitable for full track power anyway. Just wire the lights directly to the decoder.
Piko used to sell Uhlenbrock decoders and now sells Massoth decoders. The add-on sound units are from Dietz (also sold as Uhlenbrock Intellisound modules).
If you buy a Massoth decoder, it should already come with a Visaton FRS 5, which fits perfectly into the loco and is actually included with the Piko sound set as well.
Piko used to sell Uhlenbrock decoders and now sells Massoth decoders. The add-on sound units are from Dietz (also sold as Uhlenbrock Intellisound modules).
If you buy a Massoth decoder, it should already come with a Visaton FRS 5, which fits perfectly into the loco and is actually included with the Piko sound set as well.
Thanks for the advice everyone.
Hi
I bought the XLS configured for the V60 and fitted it at the weekend. Very impressive and very loud. I turned it down considerably as it sounded like the real thing to start with and SWMBO would not be impressed.
However, all is unfortunately not well. All of the sounds work fine but when the loco is moving with the sound on start making a sound that does not match any of those that can be selected but is sounds the same as the sound you get as what sounds like the starter motor is operating. When it starts making this sound it will not make any other sound and the only way to stop it is to stop the loco and start it again. Just turning the sound off with F6 stops the loco making a noise but if it is still moving and you turn it back on again it continues to make the noise.
Don!t think it is dirty track. Tried it on two layouts one inside and the other outside - same results. There were other locos there with sound and non of these had a problem. Fairly certain it is a problem with the XLS. If anybody has any ideas it would be appreciated before I return to Mr Massoth.
Martin
LNeR
Chief Engineer.
Hi
I bought the XLS configured for the V60 and fitted it at the weekend. Very impressive and very loud. I turned it down considerably as it sounded like the real thing to start with and SWMBO would not be impressed.
However, all is unfortunately not well. All of the sounds work fine but when the loco is moving with the sound on start making a sound that does not match any of those that can be selected but is sounds the same as the sound you get as what sounds like the starter motor is operating. When it starts making this sound it will not make any other sound and the only way to stop it is to stop the loco and start it again. Just turning the sound off with F6 stops the loco making a noise but if it is still moving and you turn it back on again it continues to make the noise.
Don!t think it is dirty track. Tried it on two layouts one inside and the other outside - same results. There were other locos there with sound and non of these had a problem. Fairly certain it is a problem with the XLS. If anybody has any ideas it would be appreciated before I return to Mr Massoth.
Martin
LNeR
Chief Engineer.
