Sound Problems [Maybe?]

[stubbsO]

I need some input. I have a 2 Locos that the Bell won't ring no matter what, Horn works fine. These are Williams that I bought about 6 months before the buy-out and have now gotten them outta the box to run. The locos in question are a NH EP-5 and a CNW NW-2. I was told by a reputable LHS to flip the 2 wires at the track, all that did was make the horn blow when I push the bell button, and still no bell with pushing the horn button. Is this a factory faux pas or something else? I have 4 other Williams that both horn/bell work fine. Power is Lionel "Z" trans using Lionel Cab-1 with TPC 400. Thanks

[Joe Satnik]

Dear Stubbs,

It's been awhile since I ran one, but I think you have to hold the button down for a few seconds for the bell to kick in.  Once ringing, you should be able to let go of the button and it should stay ringing until you press the button down again.

Hope this helps. 

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

[stubbsO]

Already tired that and still no dice. Next?

[Joe Satnik]

Dear Stubbs,

Sorry to hear that my suggestion didn't work.

I'll have to let 3rail (WBB board moderator-repair guru) take over on this one.

You will be in good hands. 

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik





 



 

[Joe Satnik]

Hey Stubbs,

I just thought of something:

My GP-38 box label says "True Blast II" sound.  That implies a second iteration.  Perhaps the first iteration "True Blast" sound is horn only.

What does your label say?

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

 

 

[stubbsO]

I'd have to run over to my storage locker and check.  Does TB-II have bell & horn and  TB just the one? Post on other boards have said that depending on when they were built would dictate what the board may and may not have/do. I can live with it without the bell, Im just courious is all.

[3rail]

Hi StubbsO,

First, TBII is equipped with horn & bell.  The original TrueBlast was a single sound only.   The only diesel locos to get the first version were the first production runs of the BL-2, the FA-1, and the E-7's. On the first run of the NW-2 a bell only TrueBlast was installed (no horn). All of the steam locos had whistle only versions.

Second, to get the bell to trigger on the TBII you need to be able to sustain a 1 sec negative offset to the track.  I am not sure if the TPC400 can do this. I know it sends a negative offset, but I not sure if it is momentary or if the pulse is sent as long as the button is depressed. I have tested on the original PowerMasters and the new style ZW transformers and these work fine. 

We increased the length of the pulse on later production boards because a brief sparks created  on dirty track or swtch frogs etc were triggering the sound unit.  That may explain why it works on your older locos.

Hope that helps.

Regards,

3rail

[stubbsO]

Thanks 3rail, I understand somewhat but don't as I know it can get technical real quick. Im not real worried about it, mostly courious is all. BUT, as long as Im on the subject, I'll hi-jack my own post because I can!    Out of the 7 Williams Loco's that I have, my NH ep-45 is the only one that when I run it, the horn will blow when it wants to without any help from me. At times it has become such a hassle hearing it that I become frustrated by it that I remove it from the track. I put on any other WBB Loco I have at same power level and they work as advertized. Any idea what causes this, and how to fix? Thanks

[3rail]

Hi StubbsO,

I cannot explain that without looking at it.  If yor pickups are not making good contact, this can be the cause of it.  Try cleaning them with a Dremel

Best regards,

3rail

[DominicMazoch]

I do run Williams with a TPC 400.  However, I power mine with the newer Lionel 180 watt bricks.  No problems.

It is possible the older ZW is not feeding the TPC pwer up to specs, so when the Cab-1 orders the TPC to place DC on the track, there is something "off" with the DC.  Then the TB boards will not see the DC, and the loco will not ring.

Try running the engine on another power source to see if it is the power source or the engine.

[stubbsO]

It is possible the older ZW is not feeding the TPC pwer up to specs, so when the Cab-1 orders the TPC to place DC on the track, there is something "off" with the DC.  Then the TB boards will not see the DC, and the loco will not ring.

Try running the engine on another power source to see if it is the power source or the engine.

I'm using a "Z" not ZW. This transformer puts out 25 volts to the track. I have another post on another board about the same thing. I have recentley scored a Wm.s 671 that has 1 hr. run time on it. I have major problems with the whistle continually going off by itself. I have used various power settings with the Z, swapped to KW trans., Major scrub and cleaning of track, and still same problem. I bought this used so WBB can't help repair this, so talk is cheap here.
To 3 rail and Mods the reading this, I love your products, they run great and I have no complaints. But I hope you work to inprove the sound systems while still keeping it simple to operate. Thanks