Sound

[Anonymous]

I know.
It's probably all been done before.
I'm on a mission from my Dad.
He runs normal analogue,using LGB 10 amp and 5 amp transformers.
I've read about the Phoenix and (oops I can't remember the other one)systems and mentioned them.(is it Sierra)
Questions,
Do they 'chuff' in time with the wheels
How easy to import (or any UK suppliers)
Not interested in battery systems (although I can probably convert them)
Do they use capacitors to 'keep'the sound when stopped.
Any other info,please let me know.
Thankyou.

[Curmudgeon]

Battery keeps the sound going.
They both have "auto chuff", both can be triggered.
You can put the triggers in the motor blocks, not recommended unless you've done it before.
I put 2 magnets on a tender axle, gives about 3-1/2 chuffs per driver rotation, better than the stock LGB 2, so if he's used to 2 he wouldn't care about 3-1/2.
TOC

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply Dave.Any sites I can look at ?
I think the sychronised sound is going to be a must for him.
I can do this ok with DCC but understand that axle triggers must be used for analogue.
He uses motorised tenders with his 040's.This could be a starting point.
When you say you put the magnets on the tender axles,could this be applied to the trailing wheels of a 062 perhaps?
I need to present him with a working sound unit that sounds realistic (in time with the cylinders) for his smaller engines.
It's very difficult in England sometimes.No-one seems to understand what you want!!!.

[folkestonekeith]

Troy,

Check out www.hobbybahn.cjb.net who have a link to Pheonix sound where you can listed to all the various sounds produced by Pheonix

Hobbybahn offer a fitting service - they have added Pheonix sound systems to my Bachmann Heisler and Shay as well as a couple of USA Trains diesels.........

[kstrong]

It is possible to put the magnets on the back side of one of the drivers to get 4 chuffs per revolution, but you must remove the pick-ups from that particular wheel. For many LGB locos with skates, this isn't going to be that big of a deal to lose one point of contact. You can use the small (about 3/16" round x 1/32" thick) rare-earth magnets to activate a magnetic reed switch attached on the base of the motor block just beside the wheel.

And yes, the trailing truck would work just as well. If you put three magnets on the rear trailing truck of an LGB 0-6-2, you'll get pretty close to 4 chuffs per revolution of the drivers. Note that you'll have to remove the pick-ups from those, though, as they also pick up power for the loco. (Again, only on the side which has the magnets.)

Also, when installing the magnets, make sure they don't extend any further than the wheel treads, so they don't get caught in the flangeways of switches, etc.

Later,

K

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Curmudgeon

Yeah, Benny, but does your diesel CHUFF?

I'm afraid you've lost me with that.?

Thanks Kevin and folkestonekeith.I'll look into it.

[Curmudgeon]

Well, he had a post on how his diesels revved up just fine.
He deleted it, so I deleted mine.
Hence my question, since we were talking "chuffs"....

[Anonymous]

Hi Troy,
Dear items these sound units. Phoenix give a list of UK stockists on their web, one near me on Carnforth Station - watch that train Celia! Sandy @ Scottish Garden Railways is also a stockist & a gent to deal with. Start here: www.phoenixsound.com
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Anonymous]

It makes sense now Dave.
Kim
Luckily this is not for me so money is no object.However,after telling him that it can be done,I want to do it for him.
Thanks all.
I'll report on my progress on this one.Might help someone else.

[cacole]

The SoundTraxx Sierra is the other system, and is a little cheaper than the Phoenix. Both use a rechargeable NiCad battery pack to maintain the sounds when the engine is stopped, and recharge when the engine is running.

Both systems are for either DC or DCC operation, and do not have DCC decoders in them. Except for background noises, either one will require external triggering for the bell and whistle sound effects. They can be set to chuff according to variances in the track voltage, through reed switches and magnets, or a locomotive's built-in axle wipers if such exist. When used on a DCC layout, a decoder can be used to trigger the bell and whistle.

Phoenix has, I believe, 8-channel sound and more sounds than the Sierra. Additionally, the Phoenix can have custom sounds programmed into it using a computer interface.

I don't know about Sierra dealers other than by ordering directly from SoundTraxx. You can hear sound samples from both systems by going to their respective web sites.

http://www.phoenixsound.com
http://www.soundtraxx.com
.

[Anonymous]

Oh dear.Phoenix do tram noises.
Now I'm like a big kid in a very expensive toy shop [^]

[powlee]

QUOTE: Originally posted by troybetts

Oh dear.Phoenix do tram noises.
Now I'm like a big kid in a very expensive toy shop [^]

Troy
Do a cost exercise. Buying direct from the US could work out cheaper. I did and the package is quite light in weight and might not cost so much. Also recommend the Computer Interface so you can reprogram the soundboard for any loco (or tram).

All the best
Ian P

[piercedan]

Sierra is cheaper, but does not include any add ons. You must get magnets, switches separately.

Phoenix although it costs more comes complete. I have only 1 of these and I really like it.

Phoenix is programmable and I have used this feature several times.

I do have 2 sierra units in my SD-45's and I am pleased with them.

[Curmudgeon]

Sierra has chuff magnets and reed included.
When I sell one, it also includes a remote volume control.
You can set volume on the Sierra board without it, hence it's "optional" status.
You cannot set volume on the 96 or 97 board without their volume control.
TOC

[Anonymous]

Yes they do.I've just been through the Sierra website.Couldn't get their sound files to work though.
It appears to me that (excluding sound quality,as I've not heard them)

Sierra could be the better one for normal analogue.(also cheaper for a basic system)

Pheonix could be better for DCC (as I think they said it already has a built in decoder.This system also enables you to change sounds via a computer interface.

Both appear to come with reed switches and magnets for analogue chuff noises.

Am I making sense?

[Anonymous]

Ok
I've asked for a quote on a
1.....pheonix 2K2 soundboard
2.....pheonix computer interface

from Hobbybahn in England.

I would like to also find a good supplier in the US that will give me a price for exporting to the UK.Anyone dealt with anyone I can use for this ?
Curmudgeon,
Torby,
Can you assist me on this?

[Curmudgeon]

No Phoenix until the "fix" is out.
And, there is a reason the sound files are off the Sierra site, but I can't go into that.
TOC

[Anonymous]

Can you e-mail me off forum about the fix and the reason please [:)]

[Anonymous]

I have my UK supplier price back.

On the Pheonix webite in the US the
2K2 sound board is listed at.....$295
Computer interface.....................$70


In England I've been quoted
2K2 soundboard.................£295 which = $542
computer interface..............£75 which = $137

I think someone is taking the p***
Again .Any reliable US shops I can get a quote from please?

[Rastun]

Troy,

You have email.

Jack