I have a medium size American Flyer layout, with an inner and outer main lines. Each is run with the ZW transformer. This way I can run two trains along with the accessories, and use the sound controls on ZW for my rail sounds for the #800 4-8-4, Silver Flash.
I have feeder wires running every 6 feet to my track so there is an even power flow. Everything runs just fine the way it is, but I would like to have the option to use the older diesel horn and whistle.
This is my question. Is there a way to make use of the older diesel horn and whistle while still using the ZW transformer with update diodes and sound controls, or will I have to use the older American Flyer diesel horn generator. If so, how do I make it work, because I’m using feeder wires already to the track. What I’ve found online is that you can’t have feeder wires along with the diesel horn generator. Is this correct? Is there any other options available for this type of layout. Thank You, for reading this post, and any help would be appreciated.
Chuck, from Arizona
P.S. It’s cold here too, that’s why I’m inside working on the layout today.
“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.”
AZ-Flyer@American Flyer Cabinet-top Layout (5'x16'): http://az-flyer.blogspot.com/
Chuck,
I will let someone else address the sound issue, but I want to address your P.S.
It is going down to 10 degrees below zero here tonight in the Chicago area. Today, we shoveled 21 inches of snow and 36 inch drifts. So, I don't want to hear any complaints from somebody in Arizona about cold weather. What was it today, only 69 degrees?
Rich
Alton Junction
Rich,
I just checked, its 40 degrees
Being from Minnesota most of my life. I still love the snow, but not the ice and cold. I remember the days when only snowmobiles were out on the road. You could go right down the street or highway...that was a blast! That was the time when you got the necessities, beer, wine, and cigarettes. These were the times you got to know your nabbers and played a lot of cards.
p.s. I'm pulling for Green Bay this Sunday!
Chuck
I am told you can wire the AF generator into your main bus wire. I haven't tried it yet, because I am about to start a new layout.
I don't know how your AF horns and whistles work, or if you have tested them on a piece of test track wired through the generator. I have tried that with my 336, and my Alco PA/PB set, and neither of them are very impressive.
I hope you get additional responses, and we can learn from others, becasue I would like to wire these generators into my new layout.
George
azflyer Rich, I just checked, its 40 degrees Being from Minnesota most of my life. I still love the snow, but not the ice and cold. I remember the days when only snowmobiles were out on the road. You could go right down the street or highway...that was a blast! That was the time when you got the necessities, beer, wine, and cigarettes. These were the times you got to know your nabbers and played a lot of cards. p.s. I'm pulling for Green Bay this Sunday! Chuck
As a diehard Bears fan, I shouldn't say this, but Go Pack. Can't see rooting for the Steelers.
P.S. OK, if it is 40 degrees down there, I can see why you are inside.
It does not matter the transformer you are using but you need to have a Flyer horn or whistle controller. Either one will work but the best one is the steam locomotive controller with the slide lever that produces a variable sound. Instructions for wiring are in reproduction guides. I'll try to scan one tonight and post it later. I like the sound but it is not at all realistic compaired to todays technology. The diesel horn sounds alot like a old time door buzzer but that's ok with me.
Could not get the info scanned so I will describe the connections. Each Flyer Whistle or horn controller has four wires. Black is connected to the Base post on Flyer Transformers or the "U" on Lionel Transformers. This is the same post that is connected to the outside rails of three rail O gauge track. The red wire is connected to the variable post on the transformer. The yellow wire is connected to the fixed voltage post. And the green wire is connected to the track. One additional wire is required to be connected from the "U" or Base post to the track.
American Flyer Service Manual, This is what it says:
"What I'm asking, do have to remove jumper wires supplying current to the track ever 6 feet to make this work?"
1. First remove all wire supplying current to the track. 2. Connect the black wire from the control box to the base post on the transformer. 3. Connect the red wire from the control box to the 7-15 volt post 4. Connect the yellow wire from the control box to the 15volt post on the transformer 5. Connect the seperate black wire packed with the track terminal from the base post on the transformer to the base clip on the 690 track terminal 6. Connect the green wire from the control box to the other clip on the 690 track terminal.
Chuck from Arizona
P.S. Its starting to warm up out here. I'll try and push it across the country a little faster!
One lead of the connections going from the transformer to the track goes through the whistle horn controller. That wire is from the variable voltage post on the transformer (red wire to the whistle unit) Green wire to the track from the whistle unit. Therefore the wire to the track would be one wire from the base "U" post on the transformer to the track and subsequent jumper wires and the other wire would be the green one from the whistle controller to the track and subsequent jumper wires. You should not wire any of the subsequent jumper wires to the variable voltage post! You would be by passing the whistle unit if you did.
I hope this helps.
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