OVERVIEW:
This device is an electronic sound system for installation in model locomotives that are designed to
operate with conventional AC track power with standard Horn and Bell operation. In addition to
conventional control of the Horn and Bell, this sound system may also use of our LocoMatic™
Controller (Item 755) to operate the horn, bell, door sound on/off, and sectional / welded rail
selection.
The audio amplifier can produce 1.1 watts of power which is in excess of what most small speakers
can handle. The speaker impedance must be 8 ohms or higher. Sound volume is adjustable. Refer
to our catalog, web site, or price schedule for available speakers.
Sounds produced include horn, bell, door sound, and rail traveling sound. Air Compressor
sounds are only in the "Later Type" trolley system (item #635).
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:
The sound system consists of two printed circuit boards, two 2-pin jumper cables (already installed),
three 2-pin connectors with wires and one 3-pin connector with wires. Not included is a choke (item
702 or 703 depending on motor power requirements) which is required for LocoMatic™ track power
installations. It is not required for conventional operation.
Refer to the drawing on page 2 to familiarize yourself with the connectors and controls on the sound
board. Then refer to the specific instruction sheets for the type of installation you intend to make.
Before proceeding with the installation read the balance of the instructions on this page carefully so
you will be completely familiar with what is required and what sounds you should hear.
The sound circuit board should be mounted so that at minimum, the volume control is accessible
either through the frame or via a hatch or a hole in the locomotive body shell. The power board can
be mounted anywhere convenient. Be certain that the components on the circuit boards do not
come in contact with any metal objects as such contact can destroy them. To mount, degrease the
area and then simply remove the coating on the tape. Once mounted they will be quite difficult to
remove after a period of time. The speaker should be mounted as per available space bearing in
mind that sound reproduction is enhanced when a speaker is properly enclosed and baffled. Be
extra careful to insure that none of the speaker wires come into contact with any other metal or
wires!
There is an on-board storage capacitor to keep the sound operational during power sequences. If
the sequence time is too long, or if the volume is set high, the storage time will be shorter therefore
requiring a fast sequence.
If any connections are not done properly, especially the power connections, you will damage the
sound system. This type of damage is not covered under any warranty. The sound system is
thoroughly tested and inspected before packing to insure proper function. There is a minimum
charge of $40.00 plus s/h for repair.
SOUND INFORMATION:
TRAVELING:
sounds range from no sound when stopped to full speed based upon motor voltage
present and the "Notch" control setting. The traveling sounds default to sectional rail. You can
select welded rail by merely connecting J5, pin 1 (red wire) to the ground connection (J2, pin 2,
gray). With our LocoMatic™ Controller (#755), activating the ALT and F3 buttons simultaneously
(and then releasing) will direct the sound system to alternate between welded and unwelded rail.
HORN:
sound is controlled by the HORN button on the transformer or other conventional controlling
device. The LocoMatic™ Controller can also be used if connected for it. The HORN will sound as
long you are holding the control on. This will allow you to actually play the sound as on a real
TROLLEY. Early TROLLIES had no horns.
BELL:
sound is controlled by the BELL button on the conventional transformer's remote controller or
again by the LocoMatic™ Controller if wired for it.
When BELL sound is only activated when sitting
at rest. It operates the BELL in a slow fashion to represent the motor man activating it. With the
LocoMatic™ Controller you depress and release the BELL button to turn on the BELL and then
again depress and release the button to turn the BELL off. The bell will automatically turn off if the
trolley starts to move. It also automatically rings two times before the traveling sounds occur. If
the door sound is on, the door will close just before the bell is rung. The bell sound may have a
delay until it starts to ring after activation. When BELL sound is activated while running, it will start
a bit after the TROLLEY has stopped and is sitting at rest. The bell will automatically turn off if the
TROLLEY starts to move.
DOOR SOUNDS:
close sound is produced when the sound unit is first powered up and when the
TROLLEY motor receives voltage to start moving. Opening sound is produced a few seconds after
the trolley has come to a stop. For those without doors on their trollies, the door sound can be made
not to play by connecting J5, pin 2 (gray wire) to the ground connection (J2, pin 2, gray). The
LocoMatic™ Controller can also operate this function by activating the F4 button (requires the ALT
button to also be pressed simultaneously).
AIR COMPRESSOR:
run at random in the "Later Type" trolley system. "Early Type" systems do
not have air compressor's.
SPEAKER MOUNTING:
The speaker generally should be mounted so that the sound can actually
"get out" of the locomotive. A hole in the floor or fuel tank is acceptable but open grills or a doorway
may be a better choice as the sound can exit upward rather than down toward the track. In some
cases, particularly with plastic body shells, just mounting the speaker against the shell will be
adequate as the vibrations of the shell can enhance the sound. Enclosing the speaker in a chamber
will also enhance sound reproduction. A very simple enclosure can be made with a tube or pill
container. The longer the tube the better the speaker will reproduce low frequency sound which is
inherent in diesel prime movers. It is usually best to seal the end of the tube, so there are no air
passages to the rear of the speaker, thus creating a sound chamber. A better method is to utilize the
entire engine or car body cavity. By carefully sealing all openings it may be possible to use the
entire body shell as a sound chamber. A simple wall behind the speaker may be all that is possible
or perhaps all that is needed.
Speakers can be attached with double sided tape, with glue or with "hot melt". Enclosures can be
made with plastic, wood, card stock or even metal. Film cans or medicine bottles make excellent
sound chamber enclosures for small diameter speakers. Attachment with "hot melt" is
advantageous as the "hot melt" can be used as a gap filler when creating an enclosure.
Speaker enclosure is an art and experimentation is definitely in order for your installation so as to
gain the maximum benefit of the superb sound quality available in this sound system.
GENERAL OPERATING INFORMATION:
VOLUME ADJUSTMENT:
should be set as desired for your application. Please remember that the
amplifier can produce more power than a small speaker can handle and that the sound will be
louder if the speaker is properly enclosed and baffled.
NOTCH ADJUSTMENT:
for most AC operators, full counter-clockwise will yield notch #8 with a
higher track / motor voltage. Rotate the control CW to decrease the voltage required to reach notch
#8. This setting is an arbitrary setting to whatever best suits your needs.
1
TROLLEY SOUND
for
AC track power
by
CAUTION:
THIS DEVICE CAN BE DAMAGED BY STATIC DISCHARGE. PLEASE EXERCISE CARE DURING INSTALLATION
TO AVOID THIS POSSIBILITY. DISCHARGE YOURSELF TO AN ELECTRICAL GROUND (OUTLET COVER SCREW) BEFORE
REMOVING THIS DEVICE FROM ITS ANTI-STATIC BAG. PLEASE READ INSTRUCTION SHEET COMPLETELY BEFORE
ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL AND OPERATE THIS PRODUCT.
Save the anti-static bag for possible reuse of storing or shipping the sound unit!
ACv0
