Speaker replacement questions....

Are you sure it's the speaker?  Has it always had low sound?

You could get a spare jst (or whatever plug goes to the speaker socket on the board and hook up another speaker to test it.  The if the sound is improved THEN go through all that to replace it.

John

Have you tried replacing the battery?

"Have you tried replacing the battery?"

Not yet......doesn't the system/speaker derive power from the track when in use, not the battery? I thought the battery came into play mainly to retain sound upon shut down..

Battery is the 3v system, I have no spares. Am going to get a BCR from GRJ to put in it...later.

Greg

@Craftech posted:

Are you sure it's the speaker?  Has it always had low sound?

You could get a spare jst (or whatever plug goes to the speaker socket on the board and hook up another speaker to test it.  The if the sound is improved THEN go through all that to replace it.

Yeah, that was my first reaction. If the speaker has in fact been damaged, IMHO it's more likely the sound would have also been garbled rather than just show up as a volume reduction (FWIW it sounds to me more like a hardware design or software issue, especially if it has always been low volume).

I think I'd try a breadboarded replacement speaker first to confirm that's really the problem before attempting to dig the old one out and replace it. I have some small replacement speakers (about an inch across, w. plugs) I could send you -- if interested, I can photo the plugs for compatibility first. Let me know.

Is there a volume adjustment screw?  If so, sometimes rotating it all the way clockwise, then all the way counterclockwise a few times will restore proper volume control.

@Bob posted:

Is there a volume adjustment screw?  If so, sometimes rotating it all the way clockwise, then all the way counterclockwise a few times will restore proper volume control.

There is, but....when train is controlled by DCS, the control does not enter into play. BUT, just to be certain, tomorrow I will give it a few full turns. (I seem to remember doing that, but my memory is like everything else I have.) I will post more findings tomorrow.

Thanks, Greg

@Steve Tyler posted:

Yeah, that was my first reaction. If the speaker has in fact been damaged, IMHO it's more likely the sound would have also been garbled rather than just show up as a volume reduction (FWIW it sounds to me more like a hardware design or software issue, especially if it has always been low volume).

I think I'd try a breadboarded replacement speaker first to confirm that's really the problem before attempting to dig the old one out and replace it. I have some small replacement speakers (about an inch across, w. plugs) I could send you -- if interested, I can photo the plugs for compatibility first. Let me know.

I have spare speakers, but not hooked one up yet. I am thinking they won't help.  The sound is clear, that is why I think spkr, but want more options before I pull it. To hook one spkr up to test is a little challenge. Cut tie holding wires, find connector to match MTH connector (I don't have one) test. With no connector, option is to somehow get spkr wires connected to harness pins. Pins are SMALL!

Other odd things are that the sounds that are there are clear! Engine noise, announcement buttons, but LOW volume. The horn button does not work, nor the bell, but the horn will sound when one of the quick buttons are pushed for it.

Bell has no sound, and the couplers fire, but no sound when they do. The sound on/off button works (remember, this is DCS) and the headlight works and changes with direction change. All in all, it runs great, just missing the noises.

It is the lead unit in an A-A set. Just to see if putting the dummy to it makes a difference, it does not. The rear couple fires as it should.

I have a bad feeling that even if I dug out and replaced the speaker....I would have the same issues. Perhaps GRJ or GGG, Vernon Barry, or that guy with 1000 in his moniker. Everyone should know more than I do!

Thanks, Greg (I did get to run some trains today!)

@Craftech posted:

Are you sure it's the speaker?  Has it always had low sound?

John

No John, it used to have as much volume as any other engine but that was several years ago. It exhibits the similar symptoms a steamer had, after that speaker was changed, all worked fine.

I suspect changing this speaker will not matter, oddities posted above concern me. Almost to the point that I suspect whatever "amplifier" they use to drive that speaker. But again, like Sgt. Schultz, "I know nothing!" (How many remember Hogan's Heros?)

Thanks for thinking of me, Greg

@cngw posted:

I have spare speakers, but not hooked one up yet. I am thinking they won't help.  The sound is clear, that is why I think spkr, but want more options before I pull it.

Other odd things are that the sounds that are there are clear! Engine noise, announcement buttons, but LOW volume. The horn button does not work, nor the bell, but the horn will sound when one of the quick buttons are pushed for it.

Bell has no sound, and the couplers fire, but no sound when they do. The sound on/off button works (remember, this is DCS) and the headlight works and changes with direction change. All in all, it runs great, just missing the noises.

I have a bad feeling that even if I dug out and replaced the speaker....I would have the same issues. Perhaps GRJ or GGG, Vernon Barry, or that guy with 1000 in his moniker. Everyone should know more than I do!

Yeah, given the symptoms, I think it's unlikely that changing the speaker will cure the problem, your earlier experience notwithstanding. IME, speaker damage sufficient to dramatically affect the volume  is almost always accompanied by distortion (buzzing, etc.), and you've said the sound is clear, just too quiet. I suspect something in the electronics or software settings is amiss, but haven't a clue what to suggest, since being a Marx PW guy, I know even less than you!

Do you have the overall volume set in the DCS remote or app too low?

Remove the battery plug and test again.  If the battery is dead/dead it drags down the 5V board power supply and the audio amp goes to low volume to help protect processor.  This also can be a bad power supply board, damage audio amp.   G

@GGG posted:

Remove the battery plug and test again.  If the battery is dead/dead it drags down the 5V board power supply and the audio amp goes to low volume to help protect processor.  This also can be a bad power supply board, damage audio amp.   G

Thank you, I will try that before I try a factory reset....which has also been suggested. Yours is easier, since I am nearly positive the batt needs replacing. Appreciated, Greg