Trainsounds on locos that don't normally come equipped with them?

[Deputy]

I was wondering if anyone had any experience installing the trainsounds kits that are available for installation on locos that didn't come with them. I plan on ordering some Williams locos and would like to have trainsounds on them. I know Lionel sells the boxcars with those sounds, but I'd like to have them on the locos. Is this a difficult thing to install for a guy with average mechanical skills? When I say "average mechanical skills", I do my own car tuneups and just installed shock absorbers on my wifes SUV and my truck. Not the same as fiddling with tiny electrical parts, but I'm not a klutz either

Dep 

[ChiefEagles]

Done the TMCC and Railsounds upgrades on sveral engines.  Not hard at all.  Buckeye has done one [if not more] Williams engine.  I have done the mini commanders and Railsounds from Digital Dynamics and the bigger TMCC and Railsounds on engines.  Some did not have original speakers.  Cut a roundhole in the bottom of fuel tank [removed] with hole saw.  Glued plastic screening over the hole and put speaker in the fuel tank [fuel tank big enough, two speakers].  Glued fuel tank back on.

[Buckeye Riveter]

I installed the Train America system on my Williams Genesis Engine.   Basically you hook up wires to other wires using wire nuts, then use double sided tape to stick the unit to the frame.  

[jefelectric]

Deputy,

If you are talking about adding sound but not TMCC, Electric RR also has this available.  I have done TMCC w/ sound and TMCC without sound from both TAS and Electric RR.  Highly recomend both and I am sure you can do it, not that difficult and both outfits will give you help via phone if you need it.

http://www.electricrr.com/

http://www.tastudios.com/

http://www.digitdynam.com/

I also added the link for Digital Dynamics, although I have never used their products.  Good reports from others, including the Chief, on their stuff.

[Deputy]

Thanks for the feedback guys!!! I was only talking about the sound stuff and not TMCC. I will be using the MTH DCS system for controlling my locos.

Dep

[chuck]

"Thanks for the feedback guys!!! I was only talking about the sound stuff and not TMCC. I will be using the MTH DCS system for controlling my locos."

Railsounds sound boards are available for after market sale.  You should be aware that unless you use these boards with TMCC, you will not be able to access the full sound set.  The only sounds that you will have are those that can be triggered by DC spikes (aka horn/whistle/bell buttons), or by mechanical triggers (aka reed switch/mechanical cam/voltage controlled occilator).  TMCC uses digital command triggers to access additional sounds o sound controls (couplers firing/"talk"/brakes).

[Deputy]

Hmmm...it appears there is the possibilty that I can have MTH upgrade my locos without Protosound 2 to Protosound 2 abilities. Not cheap...but it is a possibility.

Dep

[chuck]

Yes, or sell the older non PS-2 and buy new PS-2 loco's.  Upgrading to PS-2 is not cheap or easy.  The loco will not have absolute speed control since the flywheel/drive train ratios are not factory OEM's.  Also, you will need a computer and an appropriate sound set to download into the engine.  PS-2 sound files have the speed control information stored in them so you can't use just any sound set.

[Deputy]

Yes, or sell the older non PS-2 and buy new PS-2 loco's.  Upgrading to PS-2 is not cheap or easy.  The loco will not have absolute speed control since the flywheel/drive train ratios are not factory OEM's.  Also, you will need a computer and an appropriate sound set to download into the engine.  PS-2 sound files have the speed control information stored in them so you can't use just any sound set.

Note my original post. I am looking at installing sound systems in locos that NEVER had them. Specifically Williams and Lionel GP9s. I found a place that will upgrade to PS-2 AND install the appropriate sound set. I don't know what "absolute speed control" means, but as long as I can make them go forward, neutral, and reverse at a variable speed, that's good enough for me

Dep

[chuck]

The scale miles per hour in PS-2 upgrades will not be "accurate" and these loco's should not be used in lashup/mu operation.   The PS-2 upgrade boards are about $200 each and that does not include the costs of installation and programming.

[Deputy]

The scale miles per hour in PS-2 upgrades will not be "accurate" and these loco's should not be used in lashup/mu operation.   The PS-2 upgrade boards are about $200 each and that does not include the costs of installation and programming.

You should check out the websites of those companies that do the upgrades....

"Whether you are upgrading a non command equipped locomotive, a command ready locomotive or simply want to enhance your TMCC equipped locomotives, we have the products for you. Once you have installed a TAStudios command control upgrade in your train you can rest assured that it will be 100% compatible with the Lionel Trainmaster Command Control system. In addition, our full line of upgrades will make your locomotives compatible with the new MTH DCS system as well.

Before you begin browsing our products we want to point out a few features that are standard with all of our command control upgrades.
These features are;

• Constant voltage directional lighting
• Smoke unit/strobe light on/off control (from the remote)
• Precision motor control
• Front and rear coil coupler control (couplers sold separately)

[chuck]

"You should check out the websites of those companies that do the upgrades...."

You might want to try reading ALL of what the advertisers say, after all they are trying to SELL you something.

If you upgrade a loco to full TMCC capability to get full control of the RailSounds sound files, you will have to buy a TMCC Command Base and CAB-1.  The pair is required to finalize programming of the loco for TMCC operation (specifically to set the loco's ID and stall/momentum settings).  You will need to keep the command base AND obtain a cable to connect the Command Base to the DCS TIU.  If you don't do this you won't be able to access the the additional sounds.  If you just add a RailSounds board, all you can do is blow the whistle/horn and/or ring the bell.  BTW, you will be activation the whistle/horn/bell on any conventional loco sitting in that block as a DC spike will be detected by ALL conventional loco's in that block.

TrainsSounds uses postive and negative spikes and voltage shifts to control sound sets.  This is the same technology used in the original PS-1 loco's (Lionel obtained the license from QSI).  I am not aware of any aftermarket TrainSounds retro-fit boards.  There are some TrainSounds cars/tenders that can be added to a consist to add sounds to non sound equipped loco's.

[Deputy]

I am NOT all that hot to use TMCC. I would much prefer an upgrade to MTH Protosounds. So all I need to buy is a Lionel Command Base to use the Lionel locos I already have that have Railsounds.

Note from MTH website:
When you connect a Lionel® Command Base into the DCS TIU you can operate DCS locomotives in Command Mode, Trainmaster® locomotives in Command Mode, and Conventional locomotives on the same track at the same time, all with a single DCS Remote. You will be able to operate all current TMCC® features with our DCS remote.

Dep

[chuck]

"You will be able to operate all current TMCC® features with our DCS remote."

Caveat emptor.  aka they mean "most of the features",  You can not set up a loco without the CAB-1 or a TMCC computer interface (which will not work while the TIU/TMCC cable is attached).  If you don't mind having ALL of your loco's addressed as ENG-1 and having default settings for everythinge else, the MTH statement is correct.  Also, while DCS can control conventional loco's, it's the weakest feature.  Starting voltage is 5.5 to 6 volts (great for older open frame motors), maximum 32 speed steps, top power availability to a power block is 180 watts.

If you want to use DCS, either upgrade your loco's to PS-2, or buy PS-2 loco's.  Since the PS-2 upgrade price is pretty steep, I would only recommend this on loco's that justify the expense.

[Buckeye Riveter]

I would like to suggest that Dep  call TAS, [phone] or email them at , [e-mail].   Tell them what you want to do and they will know what you need and since they used to sell MTH, Lionel and Atlas in their store, they know the brands idiosyncrasies.  (They may have even carried K-Line, but not sure.)

(I've never talked to Digital Dynamics, but I suppose they would help you solve your problem.)

 

[Deputy]

I would like to suggest that Dep  call TAS, [phone] or email them at , [e-mail].   Tell them what you want to do and they will know what you need and since they used to sell MTH, Lionel and Atlas in their store, they know the brands idiosyncrasies.  (They may have even carried K-Line, but not sure.)

(I've never talked to Digital Dynamics, but I suppose they would help you solve your problem.)

 

Thanks Buckeye. That's excellent advice. And thanks to everyone who gave feedback/input. It IS appreciated.

Dep