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Lionel Trainsounds issue

L LafayetteOGR Forum Member

Hello All,

 

I would like to submit my problem with a Lionel FT Diesel with Trainsound.

I have bought an aftermarket lionel Santa FE El Capitan FT diesel. It looks like it's an early model with the ON/OFF switch underneath the body.

I ran it on with my Lionel CW80 transformer.

Forward, neutral, reverse, the control work fine.

 

However, the sound is a nightmare. The horn is working constantly. Pushing the horn and/or the bell button on the transformer does not change anything.

I tried to switch OFF the sound. But it looks like this diesel has it's own will. It keeps blowing the horn, ringing the bell and the making the engine sound all at the same time.

I tried several combinations of the ON/OFF switch on the diesel and bell/horn button on the transformer without success.

 

I tried with another FT, a later model without the ON/OFF switch. It sounds perfectly. It rings the bell, when pushing the bell button. It blows the horn, when pushing the horn button. Engine sound works when the locomotive is running. Well, all in all, it works as expected.

 

I do not understand why the earlier model does not respond the same way.

My lastest guess is that the system that triggers the sound is broken in some way. But I don't know if it's the root cause.

As I am running out of idea, I'm looking forward any advices or tests I could perform to solve this issue.

 

thanks 

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L LafayetteOGR Forum Member

Thanks for your answers.

 

For Nick12DMC

Yes I am outside the USA and CANADA.

I live in France. 

 

You are right about the transformer. It is designed for the electric power provided in north america wich is 110V 60Hz. Here it is more likely 220V 50Hz. It is not possible to plug the transformer on the plugs here. So i have an primary transformer wich convert the 220V/50Hz to 110V/60Hz. It can deliver 120W, so I have room for the 80W of the CW80.

 

For GGG

I will have a closer look at the wires inside the locomotive. I have previously looked inside, but I was looking for something unpluged or cut.It was clean. A second look, in search for a connection with the metal frame, sounds like a very good advice.

 

thanks

 

Nick12DMCNick12DMCOGR Forum Member

Lafayette,

             France has 50Hz power like we do in the UK.

  If you just have a step-down transformer you have the following 230V 50Hz - 110V (or 120V) 50 Hz. Transformers do not alter frequency. 

 

I use a 230V 50Hz to 12VDC power supply to power a 12VDC 120V 60Hz pure sine inverter. 

 

From your description I would bet your CW-80 is a newer 50Hz compatible model. Does it have a little white sticker on the base with QC-50 OK on it?

 

This is why your other loco works correctly as I would guess it has Railsounds which works fine on 50Hz.

 

Trainsounds malfunctions on 50Hz power ( whistle and or bell are uncontrollable and sound all the time) There is no fix that I am aware of. Lionel discontinued that system. I would replace the trainsounds board with a Railsounds board from Electric railroad Co. Or put in a Railsounds RTR board from Lionel.

 

Hope this helps. Been there, got the T-Shirt on this one!

Nick

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