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Anyone know a circuit for a horn generator?

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  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Loudonville, NY
  • 776 posts
Anyone know a circuit for a horn generator?
Posted by Benjamin Maggi on Friday, May 6, 2005 1:53 PM
I am looking to make a horn generator for my small layout. It doesn't have to be engine specific, but just something in general. Kind of like the sound from a Bachmann horn oil tank. Can anyone suggest a place online that has a free circuit to make one? Do you need special chips, or is it just an electrical thing that can be made with Radio Shack common parts? Thanks. Frankly, I could go out and just buy a Bachmann one but I have a lot of free time and thought I would build one on my own.

I would day $15 would be my upper limit, as after that it is cheaper just to buy a bachmann one and gut it.

Thanks in advance for any help possible.

Ben

Modeling the D&H in 1984: http://dandhcoloniemain.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Winnipeg Canada
  • 1,637 posts
Posted by Blind Bruce on Friday, May 6, 2005 5:14 PM
I have a link at work that I got by Googling "schematics" or something like that. If there is no answer to you by monday, I will post it for you.
BB

73

Bruce in the Peg

  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
  • 1,317 posts
Posted by Seamonster on Friday, May 6, 2005 5:35 PM
Ben, if you've got some electronic skills, I could send you the schematic for a diesel horn I built for myself. It's a three-chime horn, and is very realistic. However, it's not a beginner's project and the parts would cost you more than $15 if you have to buy them all retail. If you're interested, e-mail me.

..... Bob

Beam me up, Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here. (Captain Kirk)

I reject your reality and substitute my own. (Adam Savage)

Resistance is not futile--it is voltage divided by current.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Ottawa, Canada
  • 234 posts
Posted by jkeaton on Monday, May 9, 2005 12:32 PM
RMC and MR (and probably others) have published some circuits for this over the years. Try looking up "horn circuit" or similar in MR's universal on-line model railroad magazine index.

Jim
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 7,486 posts
Posted by ndbprr on Monday, May 9, 2005 5:02 PM
Go to your local junkyard and get one from a car. Then get a doorbell button and hook it to a 12 volt source. Should wake up everybody in the house![:)]
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Loudonville, NY
  • 776 posts
Posted by Benjamin Maggi on Monday, May 9, 2005 5:37 PM
It took me a good minute or so of pondering this before i realized you were joking. For sure it would work. If I got three or four of different pitches, I might be able to replicate the off-tune screach of the Amtrak trains that go by my place. Thanks for all your help, guys. Bob sent me a circuit that I will try when I get some more free time. You guys rock. Hum, a car horn...

Modeling the D&H in 1984: http://dandhcoloniemain.blogspot.com/

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