I purchased a small sound unit( just bell and horn ) from Todd Wagner last year on the forum. I would like to install in a box car behind a couple of Beeps. One wire to roller one to ground. I have a metal frame box car. Can I wire the ground to the car frame. Also is there any thing I should add to the power wire to protect the unit. I am electronic challanged so any help is appreacted. Thank you, tstark
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You should be able to pick up ground from the boxcar frame. I'd install a TVS protection diode across the power inputs to the board. Here's the one I use.
Thanks John, I don't think you guys realize how much help you are to the novices on this forum. One side of the tvs to power wire the other to ground continue to roller and frame ground? Tstark
You got it, just wire it like you were trying to short out the power. 
Would I be better to use 2 roller pickups on this sound unit to prevent drop off on some O72 switches. Thanks tstark
I always include two rollers, one will drop out a lot on almost any switch or crossover.
Grounding to the boxcar frame will work if the trucks are metal. If the trucks are plastic, you will need an axle wiper for the ground.
THANKS!
Good point about the outside rail connection, and it's not just if they're plastic trucks. Many of the newer ones have the Delrin inserts for the wheel sets to ride on, they'll need the wipers as well.
FWIW, I frequently just cut some brass wipers from a sheet of brass as I never seem to have the ones from the manufacturer.
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