I'm glad Walthers is coming out with models that haven't been available before. That being said, Who designs these models? I have just purchased a Walthers P2K SW-900 with DCC/Sound. Well, I question the "sound" part.. I tried to adjust the volume on this, cranked it up all the way, still sounds like a mosquito fart. Then I figured it out. There are NO openings in the body shell to let the sound out. Now, I'm no marketing genious, but when you are selling a product for $300.00, wouldn't you try to make sure you designed it properly? I have other DCC/Sound locos, and they all have well disguised openings in the body shell to let the sound get out. Actual screens in the radiators,fans, etc. And they sound GREAT! The shell on the Walthers P-2K switcher is a solid hunk of plastic, not much different than the old Athearn "SW-1500" shell from the 1970's. No way for the sound to get out except down past the drive train and trucks. I suppose the decoder is maxed out on volume, but the sound just can't get out. I hope Walthers sees this and makes some changes. For now, I'll have to get out my "Tin-Ear" to hear the sounds of their SW-900... Sorry for the rant, but I think Walthers can do better for the price.
3rd rail I hope Walthers sees this and makes some changes.
I hope Walthers sees this and makes some changes.
Rich
Alton Junction
Mike
Most sound-equipped HO steam locomotives have the speaker in the tender. And most of those have NO signicant holes in the tender shell for sound to get out. Much like the P2K switcher body.
You'll be wanting to ponder that.
Ed
Ed, all of the sound equipped steam engines I own have holes in the bottom of the tender to let the sound out. All of the diesels I own with sound, have holes in them to let the sound out, too.
There are no extra holes in my Bowser Baldwin DS4-4-1000 switcher, plus it out of necessity has a rather small speaker fitted (this is a factory sound chassis, not one I installed myself) and it has plenty of volume.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
There should be some sort of rule that prevents individuals from ragging (sorry, not ragging) on a company until it is proven that there is really a problem with the product.
I have several diesel locomotives where the only exit for the sound is out past the trucks and they all have plenty of volume, so much so that I have turned the volume settings way down on all of them.
Like others have suggested, I'm inclined to think that there is a problem with your particular locomotive. I would suggest contacting Walthers to see if they will exchange it.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Anyone can say whatever they want. It doesn't make it true, but they have a right to say it.
There may not even be a problem - it could be one of expectation. How loud do you expect the sound to be? Some people think it ought to fill up a concert hall. Without fail, I pretty much always turn mine WAY down. You don't hear a real train 20 miles away, you shouldn't hear a model one on the opposite side of the room. Plus it's a P2K, which means it has a Tsunami, maybe it's only the horn that's weak - because they just are in those decoders.
Or maybe there's something that's been attracted to the speaker magnet which is attenuating the sound, or perhaps a wire is pinched into the speaker cone when the shell is installed.
Except for a couple of engines that did come with a speaker enclosure underneath, all my diesels have speakers that fire down around the openings around the trucks. Works fine. Yes, a 1" speaker hidden in the fuel tank is better than a 1/2" by 1" speaker and enclosure in the long hood of the diesel, but it still works fine.
If your engine doesn't, it's most likely a problem with the decoder - or possibly the speaker. I recently had to send a Tsunami back to the manufacturer for work, and frankly that and other problems with other Tsunamis have kinda put me off Soundtraxx. I'd rather have LokSound or TCS or Digitrax.
BTW IIRC the SW-900 model goes back to Life-Like's Proto line circa 1990, before Walthers bought Life-Like...so no, it really wasn't designed with DCC or sound in mind.
TheWizard Ed, all of the sound equipped steam engines I own have holes in the bottom of the tender to let the sound out. All of the diesels I own with sound, have holes in them to let the sound out, too.
That was my point. Note that the previous post mentioned sound coming out the frame. I was extending the observation.
Sounds like a decoder or speaker issue...
Yes, Pun WAS intended.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
I have a Loksound Select decoder installed in a brass H20-44. The sugar cube speaker is installed upside down (i.e. cone-side down - recommended by the manufacturer) into the speaker enclosure and I get plenty of crisp sound. I would guess it to be a problem with the decoder and/or speaker not working properly.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Live and learn I guess. I'll be more vigilant researching my next DCC loco purchase. I'm new to this DCC thing but so far my best sounding, and best operating DCC loco has been the Rivarossi U-25-c. with ESU Lok Sound. I just wish that Rivarossi made some GP-9's. I can only imagine how awesome those would be! That U-Boat, I didn't even realize it until the other night, it even has rotating bearing caps on the trucks!!! WOW!!!
3rd railLive and learn I guess. I'll be more vigilant researching my next DCC loco purchase.
3rd rail:
I'm not sure I understand your comment. It suggests to me that you have ignored all the comments about your specific locomotive being defective and have given up on getting the locomotive replaced or repaired.
Have you actually researched Walthers P2K locomotives and found any comments about them not performing properly? Somehow I doubt it.
At the risk of repeating myself, I will say it again. Something is clearly wrong with your locomotive. It should produce lots of sound. In fact, the sound should be so loud that it is somewhat uncomfortable to listen to for any length of time. I'm pretty sure that all of Walthers SW-900s do not have poor sound or everyone would be returning them. There would also be lots of complaints on the forums, but so far I think yours might be the only one.
Return your locomotive (if possible) and get a new one. Walthers P2K is decent stuff. Your are condeming all their products because of one faulty locomotive.
Please understand that I am not trying to be disrespectful. After reading my comments I realized that they very much sound like I am lecturing you so I apologise. I simply think you are making the wrong assumptions.
Let me try to rephrase it slightly differently... As I also feel it didn't get across quite correctly.
The locomotive design is not the problem.
You just have the "lemon" of the batch. (Probably assembled on either Friday late afternoon or first one Monday morning.... Not a joke.)
The problem seems to be with just this single particular unit.
Another locomotive of the same model, even same batch, will operate differently than this one.
You should contact either the retailer who you bought it from, or Walthers directly to get this particular unit replaced with another (identical, but working) one.
I am 100% sure that another unit (of the same model) will perform much better than the current one.
Not a single one of my sound units has any holes other than around the trucks. This actually allows the shell to act as a speaker enclosure, giving better sound. (Take the shells off, they lose most of their volume and sound downright horrible.)
Speaking of that.... Is the body shell fully mounted and secured to the chasis? If not, it might very well be the entire problem.....
I think you are right. I think it is either a lemon or a faulty return that got back into the stock somehow. Might be a blown speaker.... I bought this unit from a dealer on ebay and his listing stated clearly "no returns". Faced with that, I guess I could try Walthers, but in past experiences with them, they don't like to help out with these kind of deals.
I guess I could try, but I'm not expecting much support.
I thank you all for your input and suggestions. I will probably take this topic down if Walthers will help me get this thing straightened out.
3rd rail I think you are right. I think it is either a lemon or a faulty return that got back into the stock somehow. Might be a blown speaker.... I bought this unit from a dealer on ebay and his listing stated clearly "no returns". Faced with that, I guess I could try Walthers, but in past experiences with them, they don't like to help out with these kind of deals. I guess I could try, but I'm not expecting much support. I thank you all for your input and suggestions. I will probably take this topic down if Walthers will help me get this thing straightened out.
Just because the listing said no returns does not mean you have no recourse through Ebay. Was the unit advertised as new? Was it priced as new?
If it is clearly not as listed, Ebay will help you.
And Walthers may help as well if the unit is/appears new yet is not working properly.
BUT, it may be unreasonable to buy something "private party", "used", at a super low price, and expect too much support, even on Ebay. "buyer beware", the saying goes.
You mentioned the retail value, you did not indicate what you paid? If something sounds to good to be true, it usually is too good to be true..........
Contrary to popular belief, you do often get EXACTLY what you pay for......
Hope you figure out the problem.
Sheldon
This thread confuses me. Eighteen days later, the OP has not contacted Walthers about a design problem - - - no openings in the shell to let the sound out.
Now it is a lemon? And the eBay seller does not provide returns?
Dunno, if it were me, on March 8th, I would have contacted Walthers instead of starting this thread. I am sure from past experience that if the problem is not design-related but rather a faulty speaker, Walthers will willingly evaluate the speaker assembly.
richhotrain This thread confuses me. Eighteen days later, the OP has not contacted Walthers about a design problem - - - no openings in the shell to let the sound out. Now it is a lemon? And the eBay seller does not provide returns? Dunno, if it were me, on March 8th, I would have contacted Walthers instead of starting this thread. I am sure from past experience that if the problem is not design-related but rather a faulty speaker, Walthers will willingly evaluate the speaker assembly. Rich
And, if it is simply a faulty speaker, and you bought this thing "used" on the cheap, just buy a speaker........
But is does seem that these days everyone wants bargain basement prices and penthouse level service.
If it's a actual dealer or shop, defective items would be exempt from the "no returns" clause.
If a individual,,and listed as new, again, defective items exempt from the "no returns".
And, manufacturers will honor online dealers purchased items warranty repairs/replacements. (Receipt?)
Not to be critical, but, have you contacted anyone regarding a return for replacement yet? Actually explain to eBay, dealer, Walthers what is going on, and full details. (Receipt? Does it list a business name, or person? If receipt lists a business name, warranty replacement.)
If it was listed as used, by an individual, and cheap, replacing the speaker is also cheap, and easy, and might just fix the problem.
Also, did you try removing the body shell and rechecking sound level? (I am sure it will be the same.) You might notice a clear issue (loose/pinched wire, debris, etc...) that you can fix in 5 minutes or less, and have a good running, and good sounding, locomotive, with no fuss/mess about anything else, or more money being spent, even occurring.