Train whistle (newbee)

[lionelsoni]

That's a good point.  I suppose one could replace the copper-oxide rectifier with modern silicon if necessary, just as folks do with old transformers.  But the 6-5906 is an easier route.

[sir james I]

The question was what would work and why. I was just giving options,not recomending.But I would prefer the 6-5906 as a lot of the #167 don't work anymore.

[lionelsoni]

Even though Lionel did use a D cell in the 147, I am skeptical that this is a good thing to do.  Primary cells often don't react well to attempts to charge them.  Manufacturers tend to warn against leaking or rupture.  In this case, the cell is being charged and discharged 60 times per second at several amperes, which is a pretty high current for that size of cell.  Another consideration is that dry cells have changed in the decades since Lionel sold the 147.  There are some very different types now; so what may have worked then might not now.  I think the 167 is a better choice.

Here is an old discussion about this topic:

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/428949/ShowPost.aspx

 

[sir james I]

Lionel #147 whistle controller 1961-1966,black plastic case, button on top. insert size D battery to activate whistle relay.

[lionelsoni]

The relay is supposed to operate at 1.1 volts DC and hold at .5 volt.  The polarity doesn't matter.  The modern, electronic ones whistle when the center rail is positive relative to the outside rails and ring when it is negative.

I would advise against putting a dry cell in series with the transformer, since the full AC current powering the train will have to pass through the cell, which is far from what it is designed for.  Lionel has made add-on whistle controllers.  You can make your own if you want, using a few diodes and a switch.  Either way, you will lose a little voltage when you activate the whistle.  The transformers included an extra 5-volt winding that was switched in to compensate.

[sir james I]

After 1970 Lionel went to electronic boards. some have only whistle, others have w/bell.As I stated earlier depending which way the dc travels activates one or the other. I have not tried a D battery on one of these but I'm guessing it would work. Remember the DC direction will decide which works W or B.

[rtraincollector]

electronics are out of my league here but if you would post the numbers on the side of your engines theres ones here that can give you the correct help from that

[Anonymous]

OK, thanks

 I'm sure most my trains are pre 1970 but what if I have a newer train. How does the whistle work in the newer trains?

 

Thanks again for all the info.

 

GWoody

[sir james I]

On pre  1970 the dc triggers the relay and track power runs the whistle motor.

[Anonymous]

what is the foward voltage (DC) that will activate the whistle? It would only be 1.5 volts if a D battery can be used. Or does the D battery just trigger a relay and the whistle actually runs off of track power?

[sir james I]

The whistle and bell are activated by DC being added to the track circuit. depending which way the DC travels+/-,,-/+ determines which works.A pre 1970 whistle doesn't care which way as a relay is activated. You need a whistle controler Lionel # 6-5906 is a very good one.Or you could make one with a rectifier or even a size D battery.

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

  I'm getting ready to set up our christmas village with some older Lionel (O) trains. I'm used to HO scale trains and don't know to much about three rail systems. My question is; I have a few older Lionel Locomotives that have whistles in the tender but I don't have a transformer with a whistle or bell feature. Is there a way to make the whistle sound without such a transformer (remote button or pushbutton switch) ? What kind of electrical current actually makes the whistle work? Thanks,

Gwoody