Sound Systems Latest Topics

Supercaps in place of battery in Sierra

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:34:16 +0000

On another forum someone posted a schematic using super capacitors (three 2.7v 6 - 10 Farad wired in series) in the older Sierra sound systems. All of my batteries have gone below the ability to re-charge due to my lack of attention. Here are my results:

Base Test: Sierra switch ON, no battery, no caps, system stuttered and came alive @ 12V.
First Test: Sierra switch ON, caps in place of battery, ran it for 45 sec, (I was slow to react on the video) removed track power and the sound continued for 60 sec before the caps were fully discharged just as I was about to add track power.
Second Test: Switch ON, ran for 60 sec, removed track power. Sound system idled for 45 sec, restored track power and sound ramped up.
Third Test: Ran for 30 sec and disconnected the caps. When the caps were reconnected the system started up with no stuttering. I published the First test, have the videos of the other two and if requested will upload them also.

P H Hobbies Sound

Mon, 05 Aug 2013 16:57:14 +0000

I've recently resurrected one of these and installed a new battery.

It works fine on slow speed, so I guess the battery's O.K., but when the loco is brought to a stand the sounds cut out after a relatively short time compared with Phoenix, Soundtraxx Sierra or LGB units.

Is there any way of extending the time to sound shutdown after the loco comes to a stand?

Converting Proto Sound 2.0 to reed switch activation?

Sat, 16 Oct 2021 14:20:08 +0000

Is it possible to convert MTH's Proto sound 2.0 to reed switch activation?

TCS wow 501 micro SD card?

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 02:47:34 +0000

Okay so I’m stuck with this TCS wow 501 steam decoder….. I know other manf. Decoders you can change the sound and such. When I asked TCS if it can be done to this one as I need a diesel one they said it’s not very easy……. And never heard back……. So annoyed in the shop the other day I’m looking at this pos and notice it has a micro sd card in it. So I can think of what it probably serves a purpose for (thinking sound or the audio assist) can’t it just be re configured to be a diesel one….

my question is just this, anyone mess with one yet or check out or know what it does and can you change it!? Going to put it in the PC in a little to see what comes up if not password protected. I’ll post a picture as well. Picture here

QSI Sound Defunct??

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 17:41:53 +0000

I don't see much posted online these days about QSI sound. At one time they were THE sound folks for model trains of all scales.

I recently seen this posted on another forum by a high end O Gauge importer/ manufacturer. Few years ago I spoke with QSI and they said they were developing a new large scale sound decoder...guess not?

"We are out of QSI boards and there are no more to be produced as QSI doesn't have their system chip for sale any longer. So if your QSI system stops working you can easily replace it with an ESU system purchased from us. This took a good amount of planning and design work from both ESU and Robert Lopez."

Timing strip adjustment for different gear ratio

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 13:39:31 +0000

I am switching the complete sound system from one loco to another. The gear ratios are different. The original loco ratio is, 11:1, and the target loco ratio is 8:1. The number of pulses required for one cycle of chuffs, (one rev. of the wheel) is 275. 25 black lines times 11=275. To transfer this cycle to a loco with a ratio of 8:1, the same number of pulses is required, so 275 pulses divided by the new ratio of 8:1=34. So, the new strip of lines will have to have 34 lines instead of 25 to achieve the correct cycle of chuffs per one rev. I printed out 68 spaces therefore 34 lines. The circumference of the new flywheel is 5.4 inches, so the 34 lines had to be arranged within the 5.4 inches. If anyone has any info. that I missed, feel free to comment. Here is a picture of the strip. Bob.

Dallee sound system used in Fine Art Models

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 11:11:50 +0000

Does anyone know or have any information on the Dallee sound systems? I would appreciate any info on these systems. I found out that the Fine Art Models locomotives used this system. I am trying to figure out whether to put a DCS System in my FAM T1 or use it as is. So, if you have any pros. or cons, please let me know. Bob.

hyde-out mountain steam sound

Sun, 01 Sep 2019 14:14:35 +0000

Know it's very basic and cheap but does anyone have any experience with these?

Chuff-Whistle-Bell sound for Model Trains, from HYDE-OUT MOUNTAIN LIVE STEAM

Condition: New

ITEM PRICE: US $34.95Free Shipping

Mth gauge 1 Hudson low sound volume problem

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 22:52:28 +0000

Just bought a used mth gauge 1 Hudson and the volume is very low. You can hear it, but it sounds more like an HO model.

I tried a different hudson tender and it worked fine. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what the fix might be. I could try another speaker, or ? I hope it's just the speaker.

New to sound

Sun, 21 Jan 2018 02:04:08 +0000

I am new to G scale and was wondering what options there are for sound using an analog layout. I have seen devices that can be put in a tender or boxcar, but are there options that can be installed inside the locomotive without too much difficulty? Specifically I am looking to bring sound to my LGB 23430.

LGB 65001 American Steam Sound Installation Problem

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 20:32:15 +0000

I just finished installing a LGB 65001 steam sound board into an LGB 27253 Forney locomotive. I powered the sound board from the loco's rear axle truck wheels which are power pickup for the loco. I also switched out the other rear wheels (none power) pickup wheels with an LGB power pickup wheels and spliced these into the other pickup power line from the rear axle. Purpose of this is to give constant and even power. The sound works fine but I the LGB 65001 Sound Unit Power Storage unit does seem to hold enough charge at low speed to keep the sound board operating.......the owner's manual for it states to run the loco at high speed for 30 seconds. But when operating at low speeds there's insufficient storage power to keep the sound unit operating. Is this a defective Sound Power Storage Unit that doesn't hold any charge very long at low speed? Or is there a better way powering the sound unit from other wiring in the locomotive instead of directly from the rear truck? It's not acceptable to not be able to run the locomotive a low speed without getting the sound unit to operate. Suggestions please.

Thanks

Tom

Any advice on sound Installation on my PIKO Diesel Switcher # 37531)

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 18:46:29 +0000

I've never installed sound on any of my locomotives before. I think that I'm ready to try it my own, but am a little nervous. I have a few questions about this endeavor:

Should I install DCC while I am installing sound?

Does anybody have any recommendations or advice about the sound and dcc units that I should purchase?

What are the pitfalls that I will run up against during the installations, and how can I avoid them?

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and regards,

Bill

MRC Loco Genie

Sat, 18 Feb 2017 12:47:46 +0000

Does any one have information on these "New" decoders??

I am specially looking for this one: http://www.modelrectifier.com/product-p/023700.htm

but I cannot find anything around the net.

Also they have an HO version and I believe it's rated for 16v AC/DC/DCC so could that be used instead?

It may be my only option at the moment... and if it doesn't work out I can always throw it into the few HO Katos I have laying around...

Thanks for your help!

New speaker installed in BB short video

Sun, 15 May 2016 18:31:15 +0000

First run of the BB with the new speaker, sounded good.

I forgot to blow the whistle, so not sure how you can compare the tests.

Zephyr First MTH Sound Run

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 14:06:25 +0000

Ray installed the MTH P3 board in my Pioneer Zephyr. Finally got weather I could give it a run and see how it sounded. VERY happy with it to have that sound and the MTH DCS/DCC control system. Makes it easier to run, since all my other track power trains are MTH. Short video below:

https://youtu.be/EtEzh8SerMc

Hudson with PS3 board

Sun, 27 Mar 2016 15:54:32 +0000

I was talking to Ray about my Hudson sound. He sent this video that has the ne PS3 board in it. I think I will get it.

http://https://www.dropbox.com/s/681bf89gjfmvexm/Hudson-PS3_file.mp4?dl=0

My BB and Challenger and Daylight seem to sound fine.

Dallee sound choice for RS3

Sat, 26 Mar 2016 23:19:12 +0000

I've been asked to fit a new Dallee "Hi Line" sound unit In an Aristo RS 3 and, as a Brit, I have little knowledge of U.S. locos' details.

I'd appreciate help choosing the most appropriate sound options.

The loco is a Rio Grande example, road number 5205, which I understand existed in real life.

There is a choice of two Alco prime mover sounds, a road loco or a switcher. I believe the RSs are Road Switchers so I'm confused!

There is a choice of ten horn sounds. Five Leslies, A-200, S-3, S-3K, S-5, and S-5T. Also three Nathans, K-3, K-5L and P-5 together with a Webco E-2 and a Hancock Air Whistle. Which of these is closest to what the Rio Grande would have specified?

Regarding the bell there is only one Alco bell a "CNW". I can't see a bell on the Rio Grand model, would it have had one?

Installing Sound in Bachman Shay - TE Revolution

Thu, 19 Mar 2015 16:49:35 +0000

I would like to start figuring out how to get sound from a Bachman 2 truck Shay engine.

Will use TE Revolution controller and Track-Side receiver (allegedly comes with steam engine sound).

I am fine with the lower quality sound from this unit and do not feel the need to get better sound.

What do I need to buy and how do I install it? Is there any tutorial for this?

I hope that all i need to do is buy a small speaker and install it into the Bachman - but I bet that level of simplicity is unlikely, lol.

Thanks.

Phoenix remote trigger

Thu, 08 Jan 2015 09:25:33 +0000

Has anyone yet had any experience of this?

It is on their website with the suggestion that it would be ready for Christmas but they didn't state clearly what year!

Piko sound systems in parallel with Aristo REVO?

Wed, 11 Dec 2013 19:03:09 +0000

Hi guys,

I keep hearing the new Piko american steam sound file and think it sounds great. I see this added to a lot of the new mogul locomotives and am curious if anyone has attempted to run the sound card in parallel with Aristo's revolution TE. I run my LGB mikado sound board in parallel with the REvo (used for controlling the motor and triggering the whistle and bell only).

Interested to hear experiences..

Why can't I operate my MTH one gauge engines in different direction with my DCS?

Sat, 04 Jan 2014 00:05:01 +0000

Good evening everyone. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rigo. I live in California and have been collecting G gauge trains since I was ten years old. Twenty years later, my collection is rather big. Anyways, here is my dilema. I recently got into MTH one gauge and I must say, I'm sold by it. Absolutely amazing trains. I have several of my one gauge locomotives hooked up to the DCS (wich is a great system by the way) but it seems like all locomotives have to face the same direction on the track in order for them to work. If I take an engine that is facing north and turn it around to face south, i can no longer operate it with my wireless DCS device. It goes into vonventional mode. Can someone give me some advise on how I could fix this dilema. Thank you.

MTH Gauge1 Sound File Change

Sat, 26 Oct 2013 17:33:36 +0000

Anyone know if a soundfile can be changed by the end user?

Would like a PS2 change to a S4.

Speaker

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 01:50:25 +0000

What speaker should I get for my Bachmann Spectrum 2-6-6-2 and where can I get it?

I am putting in a Aristocraft TE Revolution.

Tom