I have a K-line RS-3 with Railsounds/TMCC, and the horn is the multitone type (changes pitch randomly). Recently the horn has been acting up. There is a rapid pulsing of the horn sound, but just some of the time. All other sounds are fine. This is being run in the TMCC mode with a constant 18 volts. Any ideas as to what's going on?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Reseat RS boards and or chips. G
If reseating the chips doesn't do it, try swapping the RS power supply board with another locomotive.
Remember, if you're reseating the two PLCC chips on the audio board, do NOT try to pull them out with anything but the correct PLCC extraction tool! Prying at them with a screwdriver or similar will almost surely break the PLCC socket, then you will need a new board.
Try new batteries in cab-1.
gunrunnerjohn posted:If reseating the chips doesn't do it, try swapping the RS power supply board with another locomotive.
Remember, if you're reseating the two PLCC chips on the audio board, do NOT try to pull them out with anything but the correct PLCC extraction tool! Prying at them with a screwdriver or similar will almost surely break the PLCC socket, then you will need a new board.
Would I be able to find that tool at RS? We still have a store in town.
I know it's not the Cab-1, it does the same thing with both controllers - one of which just had its batteries changed. It also did it with my buddy's Legacy.
If it is starting and stopping repeatedly, that would indicate poor radio reception in the locomotive. But if that is the case, it will sound like you were constantly pressing, then releasing the horn button. Not sure if that is what you are hearing, based on your original description.
It's kind of a stuttering sound, not cutting out all together, very electronic. Doesn't do it when all chimes are blowing, just when it drops to a single chime note.
Then I agree with Gunrunner John's advice, using the proper tool, try re-seating the sound ROM. Be careful, those sockets can crack.
That's why I say use the PLCC extractor. I've glued a number of sockets where the wrong tool was used. 
This is the tool you're looking for it's called a PLCC Chip Extraction Tool. Radio Shack used to have them, but I have no idea if they still do.
I reseat both of the PLCC chips on the board, the contacts develop oxidation, and reseating them gets a fresh metal contact established.
Great! Thanks all for the help. Hope that takes care of it.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
