NEW Decoder - AZL1D4
New Product Announcement - AZL1D4 decoder
Today we are happy to announce the latest member to our product line - the AZL1D4!
Click Here to Order Your AZL1D4
Dimensions (LxWxH): 1.65” x 0.27” x 0.1” (or 42mm x 6.9mm x 2.54mm)
The AZL1D4 is a brand new drop-in decoder designed for the latest generation of American Z Line diesel locomotives. The design features an improved screw-down design, unlike previous designs which relied on slide-on contacts. Examples of American Z Line locomotives which this decoder will fit include the following:
- ALCo PA
(Currently, the new ALCo PA is the only locomotive from AZL which uses this chassis design)
The AZL1D4 can support up to four lighting functions. This decoder includes one on-board LED for the forward headlight with no soldering required. Optional reverse headlight is available upon request. Solder pads for two additional lighting functions are also available. (The AZL PA does not have provisions for a reverse headlight, so it has been omitted for now. You could add your own reverse headlight, cab light, or ground inspection lights using the additional lighting function pads.)
Included in this decoder are mainstay features such as:
- Back EMF Load Compensation: Provides superior slow speed control and high performance under load.
- Quiet Drive: Super-quiet motor control for "buzz" free motor performance.
- DC Mode: Decoder will automatically detect DC power. You can also configure how your lighting effects function on DC.
- Variable Momentum: Allows you to make custom acceleration and deceleration curves.
- LED Support: This product does not require external resistors when connecting LED's.
- Function Remapping: Buttons 0 through 12 may be used to control the lighting functions of this decoder.
- Programmable Lighting Effects: Choose from 20 separate user-programmable lighting effects!
- Dimmable Brightness: Configure multiple different brightness levels for your LED's.
- Decoder Lock: Feature which prevents accidental/unwanted programming while activated.
- User-Loadable Speed Tables: Configure custom speed curves and set speed limits.
- Keep Alive® Ready: Clearly indicated V+(BLUE) and GND pads can be used to wire an external Keep Alive® device to keep your locomotive running reliably, even over the worst track conditions.
...And many more features you have come to love and expect from TCS decoders!
Also available on the AZL1D4 - RailCom® - This feature allows the decoder to talk to the command station. RailCom supports expansion for new features.
Specifications:
- Continuous Current: 1.3A
- Peak Current: 2.0A
- Lighting Function Current Rating: 100mA (each)
Orders are open now for the AZL1D4!
Installation process documentation for the AZL PA will be coming soon, but is not currently available.
New Installation - Walthers Mainline GE SC44 GEVo
Check out our new installation documentation for the Walthers Mainline GE SC44 GEVo by clicking the link below:
Click Here to View the Installation
This installation was performed earlier this year by TCS' very own Dan M (of YouTube fame). Not only did Dan perform the installation, but the new WM-MB1 motherboard used in this installation was designed by Dan as well. Great job, Dan!
Also new in this installation, the debut of our new 28x18mm speaker! You can learn more about that speaker by clicking the link below:
New Speaker Available From TCS
Both the new WM-MB1 motherboard, as well as the speaker are included in a new WOWKit for this installation, which you can check out here:
New WOWKit for Walthers Mainline GEvo
New WOWKit - WDK-WAL-2
A new WOWKit is available in the WOWDiesel line of kits - the WDK-WAL-2 - TCS Part Number 1789
WDK-WAL-2 stands for "WOWSound Diesel Kit (for) Walthers Locomotives (kit number) 2.
The WAL-2 kit was purpose-designed specifically for the Walthers Mainline-series GE GEVo locomotive in HO-Scale. The kit features, most notably, a brand new motherboard, the WM-MB1 (PN:1617), and our New 28x18mm Speaker (PN:1717).
As with all of our WOWKits, the WAL-2 kit includes everything you need to convert your locomotive to TCS WOWSound, which includes:
- 1x WOW121-Diesel sound decoder
- 1x Motherboard
- Integrated Keep Alive® on-board
- 1x WOWSpeaker - compatible with the model
You can check out the conversion process by looking over our Documented Installation for the Walthers Mainline GE GEVo.
New WOWSpeaker Available
New TCS Speaker - The 28x18mm* "micro" speaker with enclosure - TCS Part Number 1717
*dimensions are reflective of the total outside perimeter
TCS recently released a new style of speaker for sale. This speaker is, at it's core, based upon the increasingly-popular cellphone-style "sugar cube" speaker; however, no other speaker of a comparable size can deliver crisp, clean, quality audio the way this speaker does. Even compared to some of the high-quality offerings from TCS, this new speaker can blow some of them out of the water! (Now just imagine what it can do to your OEM speaker *wink*)
In TCS' march for continuous improvement, and continuing dedication to delivering the best quality products with the latest and greatest technology, we guarantee you can hear the difference between this speaker and the competition.
This 28mm x 18mm speaker is a tough little beast capable of pumping out 1.2 Watts of power, despite the relatively small size of the actual driver. This micro speaker comes packaged inside an air-tight injection-molded plastic enclosure to maximize the volume and frequency response, especially at the low end. On the outside, 5 out of the 6 sides are covered in a padded foam material. This material will prevent distortion caused by vibration if the enclosure is within a small space, or crammed up against any surface(s).
This speaker also comes from TCS with 6-inch (152mm) long 32AWG wire and a 2-pin JST "SR"-Series connector. This connector can be clipped off if not needed, but can be readily plugged into some products such as the WM-MB1 and WM-MB2 motherboards. Check it out in the 1717's debut installation for the Walthers Mainline GE GEVo HERE.
Specs
Dimensions: 1.1" x 0.71" x 0.32" (or 28mm x 18mm x 8.1mm)
Sound Pressure Level (SPL): 95 dB ± 3.0 dB at 1.2W, 10cm, 2.0 KHz.
Effective Frequency Band: 500 Hz. to 20,000 Hz.
Power Rating: 1.2W (Typical) 1.5W (Peak)
DC Impedance: 6 Ω ± 20 % at 1.2W 2000 Hz.
Important Safety Note When Using This Speaker:
TCS WOWSound decoders use an audio amplifier capable of supplying up to 2 Watts of power to an 8 Ohm load at maximum volume. The amplifier(s) on a WOWSound product can support speakers with impedance ratings as low as 4 Ohms. A reduction in impedance will result in a more power (more Watts) being supplied to the speaker. This speaker is rated at 6 Ohms of Impedance and 1.2 Watts of continuous power. (See "Specs" for more details) It is recommended that you set your master volume to ~60% or less to prevent over-driving and damage to your decoder or speaker.
How This Speaker Came to Be
Our audio experts at TCS were truly blown away by the first impressions we got of the first samples of these speakers, delivering an impressive amount of volume, and more importantly bass, in such a small package!
Originally, this design was going to be a one-off use for an OEM project, the Bachmann Sound Value GP35, but we were so impressed that we couldn't NOT make it available to our customers for their own installations!
The latest run of EMD GP35 locomotives for 2022 in the Sound Value line from Bachmann Trains are a unique lot. The chassis used in these particular locomotives was originally not designed for sound AT ALL, so our clever engineers at TCS had to think outside the box for a solution. Our line of thinking led us to a unique decoder design with an integrated speaker inside the decoder itself! (shown below)
By integrating the speaker directly into the decoder's PCB, we were able to place the speaker in a tactical position - directly above the motor! Doing so allows the sound output from the speaker to flow through the only hole in the top of the chassis, around the motor, through internal routes in the chassis, and out through the trucks. We also noticed that the sealed nature of the shell also amplifies resonance, improving the audio quality. The foam padding on the enclosure prevents unwanted vibrations and distortion, and holds the speaker in place within the decoder. Very clever, if we do say so ourselves. But don't just take our word for it; pick up your own Sound Value GP35, coming later in 2022 from Bachmann Trains!
Your New Favorite N-Scale Companion
Thanks to the compactness, as well as its ability to output a lot of power, this new speaker is very useful in N-scale sound decoder installations. One of our favorites is the KATO FEF-3.
This locomotive in particular has an internal design which is very friendly to the installation of this speaker and a WOW101-Steam sound decoder. TCS' Dan M has done three successful installations for customers using the setup shown below:
The final product of this setup is loud, clear, and authentic steam sound which might confuse your HO buddies into thinking you changed scales!
Video Coming Soon!
Upcoming From TCS & Bachmann Trains
Here is a summary of the upcoming projects you can expect to see releasing this year from Bachmann Trains featuring TCS decoders:
For more information and details on these projects described below, as well as other announcements from Bachmann trains, you should check out their 2022 Product Catalog
Fourth Run HO-Scale Siemens "Charger" Locomotives
Get in on the hottest and best-selling modern diesel locomotive - the HO-scale Siemens "Charger locomotive from Bachmann Trains. Following the success of the SC-44 Charger release in 2020, Bachmann recently announced new tooling and paint schemes for the ALC-42 Charger variant. In addition to the existing paint schemes, customers can expect to see new paint schemes for the following roads and numbers:
Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) SC-44 #3110
Amtrak Cascades (WSDOT) SC-44 #1400
Amtrak "Day 1" 50th Anniversary ALC-42 #301
Amtrak Phase VI ALC-42 #300
Amtrak Phase VI ALC-42 #305
NCTD Coaster SC-44 #5001
VIA Rail SC-42 #2200
(Production Version Picture Coming Soon)
As with all previous runs, all of the Charger locomotives will come equipped from the factory with a dual-mode DCC sound decoder made specifically for the model by TCS. For more information on the HO Charger project and decoder, check out our Wiki Documentation for the SC-44 and ALC-42 models.
First Run N-Scale Siemens "Charger" Locomotives
Did we say ALL Charger locomotives from Bachmann were coming with TCS WOWSound from the factory? We did? Good. Because it's true.
Coming to a hobby shop near you - the N-scale Charger! This year, Bachmann will be delivering the long-anticipated N-scale version of the Siemens Charger. Bachmann has announced that they will be simultaneously be releasing the SC-44 and ALC-42 variants. Paint schemes and road numbers are yet to be announced as of the writing of this article.
New Run Spectrum-Line HO-Scale PRR K4
The latest, 2022, run of the HO-scale 4-6-2 "K4" locomotive from Bachmann will include a TCS WOWSteam decoder. Four versions will be available:
- PRR #5353 - Pre-war "slat" pilot Stock No. 84405
- PRR #5492 - Pre-war "slat" pilot Stock No. 84406
- PRR #612 - Post-war "modern" pilot Stock No. 84407
- PRR #3747 - Post-war "modern" pilot Stock No. 84408
The K4 will feature TCS' new Chuffinity technology.
New Run Sound Value Line USRA 0-6-0 Steam Locos
The latest, 2022, run of the HO-scale 4-6-2 "K4" locomotive from Bachmann will include a TCS WOWSteam decoder. Many versions will be available, including:
-
Road-specific tenders
-
Vanderbilt tenders
-
Short-haul tenders
-
Slope-back tenders
New paint schemes and variants will include:
- Baltimore and Ohio
- Union Pacific
- CRNJ
- Seaboard
- Southern
- North Pole & Southern
- And many more!
New Run HO-Scale GE 44-Ton Switchers
New to this model - Sound! The latest run of GE 44-ton switchers in HO-scale will feature a custom TCS WOWSound decoder solution.
The GE 44-tonner will also include a new paint scheme for Amtrak - #1000
Recently Released - HO-Scale Sound Value EMD FT
Recently revived from the Bachmann Catalog for the 2022 year, the EMD FT! An absolute classic model given new life with TCS WOWSound!
Recently Released - HO-Scale Sound Value ALCo RS-3
Also released in the 2021-2022 yearly transition, the ALCo RS-3. A long-standing favorite of many model railroaders new and old alike, now fitted with a quality sound decoder from TCS!
You can view a video from Bachmann showing off more examples of their upcoming products in 2022 below: