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314 AW american flyer whistle

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  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Highland, Mi
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314 AW american flyer whistle
Posted by J. Daddy on Thursday, August 16, 2007 8:34 AM

Ok so I found and ole 314 AW in the box from my Dad's  collection. Cannot get the whistle to blow. somebody said that it is DC activated at 1000hz wave form? I do not have the original whistle activation unit (seems to be just as expensive as the engine itself). Will a lionel ZW whistle switch make this whistle come alive? Or should I be looking at a different wave signal maybe from a HO transformer....any help would be appreciated....

Also for the regular horn/whistle manufactured by American Flyer, How can I activate these sounds without using the complicated whistle tube rectifier wiring (talk about an octopus)!... will a HO transformer work here as well?  Anyone know why this whistle sounds like a sick diesel horn? I figured it might be the resister, but all the locomotives sound the same! Diesel engines and steam engines...like a sick cow...

When the men get together its always done right! J. Daddy
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Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Thursday, August 16, 2007 11:18 AM

The induced voltage closed a relay that allowed track power to energize a motor in the tender with a fan that blew the whistle.  Figure another way to close the relay and if you have track power you are in business

Jim

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Highland, Mi
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Posted by J. Daddy on Thursday, August 16, 2007 12:44 PM
Inducted voltage... wave form DC or AC? how many volts? Sounds like I headed down a path here I shouldn't  be.... I hoped I could keep it simple...
When the men get together its always done right! J. Daddy
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  • From: Austin, TX
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Posted by lionelsoni on Thursday, August 16, 2007 10:20 PM

This whistle works on the same principle as the Lionel whistle, that is, a DC voltage added to the normal AC track voltage operates a relay that controls the whistle motor.  Unfortunately, American Flyer did not specify how much DC voltage is required, only "a small amount of direct current".  It is probably similar to the voltage that Lionel used.  I would try it with a Lionel transformer if you have one available.

Bob Nelson

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    November 2006
  • From: Highland, Mi
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Posted by J. Daddy on Friday, August 17, 2007 6:58 AM
I have a ZW with a whistle switch works for the sound affects for american flyer lionel made after 1990. I will clean her up and give her a go tonight. I take it you can override the switch and jump the motor to test?... just not sure if should be AC or DC and what voltage.
When the men get together its always done right! J. Daddy
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    November 2015
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Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Friday, August 17, 2007 9:01 AM

The whistle motor is AC, the induced DC only closes the relay.  You can jumper the whistle to make it work.  I've got nstructions for operation and maintenance if you would interested from the American Flyer Complete Service Manual by K-line.

Jim 

  • Member since
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  • From: south east PA
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Posted by alexweiihman on Friday, August 17, 2007 1:55 PM
The K-line AF book would be your best bet.
K-Line The Difference is in the Details
  • Member since
    October 2010
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Posted by flyerfred10 on Monday, October 25, 2010 5:11 PM

Can I get instructions for wiring the control for the 314AW

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