No sounds from several PS2 engines - Update 8-26 speaker out of stock at MTH

Only thing that comes to mind, since you mentioned being barely able to hear the horn on one, is the possibility of a failing speaker. If you see evidence of metal flaking on the speaker, it's a sign that it needs to be replaced before the loco is powered up again (shorts from deteriorating speakers can KO Protosound electronics)

---PCJ

The challenger is a built around the 5v Proto2 time frame.  As RailRide mentioned check the speakers as these quite often are flaking.

DO NOT EVEN power up any 5v Proto2 without checking the speakers.  Probably needs a battery as well.

The other seems to be a Proto1 - could be a number of things such as the wires going to the speaker not connected properly, bad speaker, or the Proto1 boards time is just up.

Jim

Thanks guys!  I will take a look at the speaker in the Challenger.

I just corrected the item number for the SF GP38.  Correct number is 20-2338-1 which was in 2001.  the engine is definitely DCS because it run fine in command - just no sound.

I checked the speaker and it is indeed flaking.  I checked on MTH parts and the speaker is out of stock.  The information provided was:  PN BF0000034, 4 ohm, 3w, 45 mm X 17 mm Star NR045A3227

Anyone have ideas as to where I might find a replacement?

Appreciate any help.

Thanks,

Don

Search for BF00000 on parts and several speakers come up.

@DGJONES - Was the flaky speaker brand 'STAR' by any chance as it's been the subject of previous Searches/Posts on the Forum?

@DGJONES posted:

I checked the speaker and it is indeed flaking.  I checked on MTH parts and the speaker is out of stock.  The information provided was:  PN BF0000034, 4 ohm, 3w, 45 mm X 17 mm Star NR045A3227

Anyone have ideas as to where I might find a replacement?

Appreciate any help.

Thanks,

Don

Check with GRJ.........he has loads of info for you on this issue.

In stock at MTH Parts.

Thanks for the help guys!  I was able to order the one in John's photo form MTH parts on Friday afternoon and received word the the speakers were shipped that same evening.

Impressive to say the least!

Don

If the Challenger has a PS2 5v board and uses a 16 ohm speaker, you must replace it with another 16 ohm speaker.  The BF-0000039 speaker will blow the audio amp.

Don asked about a 4 ohm speaker, but as you note, it appears those engines mentioned in the first post are 5V PS/2.

Wow!  It does appear that the old speaker in the tender  is 16 ohm.  Thank you for alerting me that I was on the wrong track!

I posted the description from the MTH website for 20-3090-1 and just checked this AM and that is still the description.  Looks like a pretty serious error.

So, I still need a replacement speaker for this engine.

Any recommendations as to where aI might find a replacement speaker?

Thanks again to everyone for the help.

Don

The only 45mm one I find on the MTH site is this one.

Here's one at Mouser

PUI Audio AS04516MR-2-LW105-R

Just a question, I would think that the challenger would use the standard 50mm speaker, not a 45mm, however, the diesel GP-38 being a fuel tank mounted speaker- absolutely could need a 45mm. I know it's only 5mm but there are also height restrictions in mounting some of these as well.

Yes, both being PS2 5V- another important designation means they would be 16 Ohm speakers.

I understand learning all this is a pain, and hard to keep track if you don't reference it often. MTH used 3 different impedance speakers, 4, 8, and 16 Ohm.

My crude edit to a long ago MTH comparison chart.

@Jon G posted:

If the Challenger has a PS2 5v board and uses a 16 ohm speaker, you must replace it with another 16 ohm speaker.  The BF-0000039 speaker will blow the audio amp.

Can't you just use an 8 ohm speaker with an appropriate wattage 8 ohm resistor wired in series?

You could Bob, but the volume would be significantly reduced, maybe too much.  I'd much prefer seeing if I could mount an extra 8 ohm speaker and use them in series, better sound and a proper impedance match.