Williams horn/bell

[TRAINCAT]

 I get the best whistle/bell from an MTH Z1000 too. Sometimes you may need to slow the train a bit to get the horns to sound. Weird, but it works.

Roger

[phillyreading]

I use an MTH Z-1000 transformer and have no problems with the Williams horn or bell features. Just make sure the red terminal goes to the center rail. You don't have to have command control, it is nice but can get a bit pricey to update older engines that don't have CC.

[gunrunnerjohn]

Time to consider command/control, no more uncontrolled bells.

[srguy]

Glad to see this thread revived!  I now have 2 Williams engines and I must say that they are finicky as compared to Lionel. Since this thread began I have whislte and bell capability on all 3 mainlines on my layout. In general, the Williams horns work well both on the KW and the "homemade" sound activation buttons I assembled during the last year. The bells however are a different story ... very inconsistent. I believe that it is a power/voltage issue. The bells sound off as the engines pass over lockons. In neutral both the horns and bells sound off as one would expect however underway the horns are generally OK but the bells have a mind of their own. On the other hand, I just purchased a Lionel railsounds box car (steam) which performs perfectly with a touch of the button on all 3 mains. I also have a 90's era Lionel diesel (horn only) which responds perfectly as well.  I just think the Williams engines simply don't respond as well and is something one has to live with. A little frustrating since the Williams products are quite good for the $$$.

[gunrunnerjohn]

The issue is PW transformers and modern electronics. 

For my occasional conventional running, I use my home-rolled horn/whistle box.

 

[Seayakbill]

My Williams Northern Pacific U33C would blast its horn numerous times while making its way around the layout without me activating the horn. None of my other Williams locos would do this. Got tired of it and disconnected the horn.

[Stourbridge Lion]

boxcardan - Welcome to Trains.com!

[boxcardan]

What about  when using a ZW transformer?

I can't get the bell to work and the whistle sound on my Williams Berkshire is low

[BigEunit]

Hello, I have a Williams T1 duplex I operate with a KW.  I replaced the whistle rectifier and I find that I can operate both the bell (a quick tap) and the horn (three seconds) with very little disturbance to the speed.   

Kevin

[srguy]

Good suggestions from all .... Thanks.  Guess one must acquire "the touch" for proper operation.

[ADCX Rob]

Try it.

[srguy]

Not sure I understand.  Are you saying that on the KW I should only pull the handle half way??

Jim

[phillyreading]

Have you tried using your Williams engine with another transformer? Sounds like your KW is in need of an overhaul to the rectifier or whistle activation circuit.

With all Williams engines; you must hold the button for three seconds for the bell or whistle feature, also you can not get both sounds at one time like MTH's DCS allows you to do. Try these things first, then see if you need to do anything more.

Lee F.

[ADCX Rob]

You have to hold the button down longer, and at about 8 volts or more, if they are being stubborn.  Goes for the KW too, the "latch" DC signal(about half way through the swing in the whistle lever) is stronger than the DC in "hold"(at the full swing position).

[srguy]

I recently purchased a Williams FM and was impressed by the sequenced horn working off a KW and bell which I activate through a Lionel 6-5906 sound activation button. I find the that horn sometimes works great, other times I get a single horn burst and other times I get a click.  As for the bell, I sometimes have to push the button several times both to activate and to turn off. Has anyone had experience with the Williams products interfacing with older Lionel transformers?