MTH Premier Alco S-2 sound

I always found this MTH switcher to be lower in sound than other experiences with MTH diesels.

Maybe due to the size of the very small speaker.  I got use to it.

My SW-1500 has a lower volume as well, and it also has a small speaker.  Nature of the beast I suspect.

I have an MTH 20-2793-1 NYC Alco S-2.  I was able to get it to be a bit louder by loading the 3V "upgrade" sound file for the 20-2333-1 Alco FA-2.

Thanks for the replies.  I've attached a short video of the buzzing sound at idle with the sound off.  The buzz is more pronounced than it seems on the video - you might have to turn the volume way up.  None of my other MTH engines do this - have any of you heard it on the S-2? 

That sounds like the smoke unit (fan) is on. Common on MTH engines.

All ps3's are louder than 2's. Better spkr. and audio files.

SIRT posted:

That sounds like the smoke unit (fan) is on. Common on MTH engines.

All ps3's are louder than 2's. Better spkr. and audio files.

The video is so short, it's hard to tell.  But yes, I agree.  Turn the smoke unit off and see if your "buzz" goes away.

Ron

Does the buzz continue when you shutdown?  If not, then I'd blame the smoke fan.  If it's still there in shutdown, the fan should be off.  Of course, you can also just turn the smoke off and the fan should stop.

SIRT posted:

All ps3's are louder than 2's. Better spkr. and audio files.

Well, his is a PS/3 I suspect since it's new, and it's not louder.  FWIW, I've seen a number of PS/3 locomotives that are not as loud as similar PS/2, so that certainly doesn't universally apply.

Fan continues to run at the end of shutdown which is easily heard. I have a video of it on a link below. Normal operation. As for audio, it all depends on where the pot and remote are set at. Have quite a few MTH 2&3 diesels, never had any audio issues. I generally don't adjust the factory set V-pot, just the remote if needed. Don't know what else to say?

That's not normal operation for any of the hundreds of PS/2 and PS/3 locomotives I've worked on!  When you shutdown, the fan and smoke element should be powered off.  Other than malfunctioning boards, I've never seen one that leaves the fan running when it's shutdown, dark and silent.  I have at least 40 or so MTH DCS locomotives, and I've never had any of those leave the fan running after shutdown either.  I repeat, that is NOT normal for a properly working DCS locomotive!

The volume pot is not used for command operation, it only affects the volume during conventional operation.

I think you two might be saying the same thing.  The fan runs during the shutdown process.  I have at least one engine where the engine shutdown sound will complete before the complete shutdown process and all you can hear is the fan for a brief moment.  I can't remember which engine it was.  If I can remember I'll make a video.

Ron

When cab chatter and engine sound quits, you still here the fan for several sec. I thought he meant during the shut down sequence followed by the head lamp cutting off. 

The fan runs until the shutdown is complete, but the fan DOES NOT RUN when the engine is shutdown.

SIRT posted:

Fan continues to run at the end of shutdown which is easily heard.

I responded to this comment, that is NOT correct.  At the end of shutdown, the fan is not running.

It would be correct to say the fan runs until the end of shutdown, that has a totally different meaning.

Thanks again - some very helpful ideas.

Went back and made sure that the smoke was off - the buzz went away, which makes me feel better.  After shutdown, with power still on the track, the engine is completely silent.  (It didn't sound like a fan, but apparently that's what it was.)

Now I'm back to where the only issue is the sound volume.  Max volume is probably only about half of what my NW-2 puts out, but the S-2 does have a smaller speaker, so I don't know if it's a defect or not.  And my hearing isn't what it once was.  

Might try downloading a different sound file.  Still open to things I might be able to try.

After complete shutdown on this engine...it should go ...completely silent.

If you had to turn off the smoke to achieve this....there is a problem.

Soo Line posted:

After complete shutdown on this engine...it should go ...completely silent.

If you had to turn off the smoke to achieve this....there is a problem.

Thanks for the thought.  Went back to the layout to verify the sequence of events.  At shutdown with smoke on, the fan runs for a short time and then stops, after which the engine is completely silent.  

I have a couple of MTH S-2 diesels and the sound volume is different between the two. One is very low and the other is just low. I also am unable to adjust the sound with the DCS remote.

Nice little engine but I wish the sound was better. I won't buy any more of them for that reason from now on.

Mallard4468 posted:

Thanks for the thought.  Went back to the layout to verify the sequence of events.  At shutdown with smoke on, the fan runs for a short time and then stops, after which the engine is completely silent.  

Normal operation, the fan it typically the last thing to stop.

As I stated in the first place. 

Thank you

If you think that's what you stated, you need to consider some English lessons.

SIRT posted:

Fan continues to run at the end of shutdown which is easily heard.

Again, at the end of shutdown, the fan is not running.

The low sound problem with this engine has nothing to do with the posts above!

MTH used an 8 ohm speaker in the S2.  For what reason, I do not know.

Replace the speaker with a 4 ohm speaker and your sound will come back to an acceptable volume.  It is not the sound file!

Here is the link to the correct speaker.

https://www.digikey.com/produc...keywords=668-1358-ND

Interesting point Dave.  When looking for the proper sized 4 ohm speakers for some other upgrades, I had trouble finding the exact sizes.  The Climax was one that MTH didn't have in 4 ohms, and it was only by luck that I found a 4 ohm speaker of exactly the right size from China.  Perhaps this is a pretty easy fix.

Here is the actual speaker for the MTH S2....you can see by it's small size that this would contribute to less than the robust sounds of the larger speakers.

David Minarik posted:

The low sound problem with this engine has nothing to do with the posts above!

MTH used an 8 ohm speaker in the S2.  For what reason, I do not know.

Replace the speaker with a 4 ohm speaker and your sound will come back to an acceptable volume.  It is not the sound file!

Thanks Dave.  If anyone on here should know about sound, it would be you.

Interesting (and disappointing) that MTH customer service said that the first thing to do is reload the sound file.  "It usually doesn't help, but it's the first thing we do..."

I also just operated a new PS3 S-2 switcher (Amtrak) the sound was very very weak, I put on the UP 44ton Switcher which is smaller,  yet had much more robust sound !!

I have noticed and been troubled by the inconsistency in PS3 sound volume, from one sound file to another. Some are Great Loud and Clear, others are very, very weak, PS2 same engines sounded way better. Hope MTH will address this, make better louder sound sound files available.  Seems more often a software problem than hardware. Of course better speakers are better.

FWIW, I've used various harvested laptop speakers in projects, it's amazing the sound quality and volume they can extract from a very small speaker.  With a properly engineered baffle, you can have some pretty nice sound from a very tiny space.

They sound much better than the 8 ohm but do not get nearly as loud as the 44 tonner.  

Joe, bass isn't super great but hey, it is a very small speaker.

I would like to add that the mounting holes on the new speaker need to be opened up a bit.

I hope this helps some of you out there.  I was in the same boat for quite some time! 

Just received a Premier  Columbia and Reading Alco S2 today. The engine looks great and runs fine so far. But that sound is so anemic. From my front door, I can hear the prototype 10 blocks away. but I can barely hear the model from 15 feet. Thanks for the heads-up on the speaker mod