Cab 1L whistle function

Well, first off, it's not the CAB1L that's doing anything with the whistle.  I presume you have a PowerMaster, TPC, or perhaps a command version of the ZW that's actually providing power to the track and activating the whistle function.  How about the full picture?

Thanks John.

I’m using a Lionel180 Watt Power Master with a Cab 1L and Base 1L. Switch set to ‘conventional’.

The PowerMaster is the piece that probably has the problem, it should be giving you several volts of DC offset on the rails for either whistle or bell.  I presume this is the Legacy Powermaster since you're using it with the CAB1L/BASE1L.

Hmmm . . .

Thanks John

I’m using a 6-37146 Legacy PowerMaster. Haven’t used it in conventional for some time, but I know it used to blow a Postwar whistle. Repairable by Lionel or anyone? Probably impossible to find one nowadays . . .

AC

The Legacy PowerMaster should still be available, it's a current product.  Not sure how they generate the DC offset, but it might be repairable, the question would be if it would be worth the money over buying another one.

I see a number of places that have the Lionel 37146 PowerMaster in stock.

Thanks again. Yep — I see ‘em now too. Wonder why the 5 VDC output isn’t listed on the product label. As an electrical product you’d think it would be required. Oh well . . .
Thank you very much!

5VDC?  They output a chopped AC waveform, the DC offset is just an add-on to activate whistles & bells.

Found one on the Bay for $100. When it arrives I’ll let you know how it turns out.

AC

John,

I received this back from Lionel:

Good Afternoon,

Thank you for contacting Lionel. The Cab1-L only puts out AC voltage. To have the bell and horn work in conventional. You will need the activation button. This button will convert the sine waves so that the horn and bell work properly.

Oh well — I could have sworn it worked at one time! And I had two sound activation buttons that I sold at a meet just last year.

You're missing the point.  The CAB1L is a remote control device, it doesn't put anything on the track!  I can assure you, the Legacy PowerMaster does put out a DC offset when you run in conventional mode and use the whistle or bell buttons.

Also, the Sound Activation Button doesn't convert anything, it just imparts a DC offset to the track voltage.  It certainly doesn't do any conversion of the sine waves!

John,

Thanks again!

We'll see I guess. A new blue Power Master is on the way.  Just to be clear I have all blue components, whatever they're called. So you disagree with the Lionel Tech's answer? In my query to them I made clear that I was using all 'L' based components. Their nomenclature sure could use improvement.

AC

Well, I certainly disagree if they think that the Legacy PowerMaster doesn't impart a DC bias on the track for conventional whistle/bells.  Technically, the statement that the CAB1L doesn't do it is correct, it doesn't do it directly.  However, the CAB1L sends the whistle/bell command to the command base, it turns it into a TMCC track signal command that is broadcast to everyone, including any Legacy PowerMasters.  The PowerMaster is the device that receives the whistle or bell command and actually puts the DC boas on the track to trigger the function in any locomotives on the track controlled by the PowerMaster.

With all that being said, it's possible that the locomotive(s) in question have weak whistle relays and aren't responding to the PowerMaster whistle/bell command.  Do any locomotive whistles work with the PowerMaster?

John,

Well the whistle(s) work fine with a ZW for power. I just received a new in the box Powermaster 1L and hooked it up to my cab 1L and cab 1L base. And no joy It doesn’t actuate a postwar whistle when in conventional mode. I guess Lionel tech support is correct. The Powermaster does not provide a 5VDC output.

AC

@ACGilbert posted:

I guess Lionel tech support is correct. The Powermaster does not provide a 5VDC output.

I'd guess that whoever told you that doesn't know what they're talking about!  Perhaps you can have them explain this on Page 14 of the Legacy Powermaster User's Manual.  Either they didn't understand the question or they don't know their product, you pick one of the choices.

It sure looks like Lionel thought it operated the whistle/bell when they wrote the Legacy Powermaster manual!  It also worked for conventional horns when I had my Legacy Powermaster connected, it's resting in a box somewhere under the layout right now. 

The Legacy Powermaster even includes macro modes to operate many of the features of MTH Protosound 1 and Protosound 2 & 3 locomotives from the CAB1/CAB1L/CAB2 when they're running in conventional mode.

Hi AC,

Does your Cab-1L whistle button work in TMCC mode?  If not, you likely have a dead remote whistle button.

Do you have a alternate remote you can test with?

S/F Mike

Is the Powermaster switch set to conventional? Is the Cab1L horn set to TMCC rather then quilling Legacy?

Hi AC,

Just thinking more about the issue; you can also try (with a postwar relay) using the Cab-1L bell button to activate the whistle/horn via the PowerMaster.

Everything Gunrunner said is correct but if the PowerMaster is not getting the command from the Cab-1L it will not generate the offset (either + or -)  That said, your tender relay will respond to either so if the Bell button on the remote works it may just be an issue with the keypad whistle/horn button.

S/F Mike

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the input!
Horn/whistle buttons function properly in TMCC mode on my Santa Fe diesels.

Here’s my equipment. + 180 Watt Powerhouse. My instructions differ from yours John.

AC

Page 14 clearly says you have whistle/bell function using it with conventional equipment in your picture.

"activate whistle and bell sounds"

Looks like we have the same manual to me.

Got it!  Just had to pull more tenders off the display shelves to test. Turns out I gave up after testing only two out of ten. Should have persisted. That old ‘assume’ thing bit me in the butt again. Now on to tender whistle repair!
Thank you,
AC

The original TPC can activate a postwar whistle with a cab-1 and the Legacy powermaster basically contains the same electronics that is in the TPC.
I read it was your postwar whistle that needs repair and the Lionel tech needs to read their manuals when it comes to using their products on postwar equipment.

@ACGilbert posted:

Got it!  Just had to pull more tenders off the display shelves to test. Turns out I gave up after testing only two out of ten. Should have persisted. That old ‘assume’ thing bit me in the butt again. Now on to tender whistle repair!
Thank you,
AC

You were shaking my faith in the Powermaster, I was sure it should activate those whistles.