IN LOCOMOTIVE ELECTRIC SOUND
with automated Horn play by
CAUTION: this device can be damaged by static discharge. Please exercise care during installation to avoid this possibility.
Discharge yourself to an electrical ground (outlet cover screw) before removing this device from its anti-static bag. Please read
instruction sheet completely before attempting to install and operate this product.
Save the anti-static bag for possible reuse of storing or shipping the sound unit!
OVERVIEW: This device is an electronic, self contained, sound system for installation in model
electric locomotives that are designed to operate with conventional DC track power or other types of
command control systems including radio with either track or battery power, also as a stationary
sound unit. Because of its dimensions (2.7" x 0.9" x approx. 0.5" high) the sound system may be
limited to installations in some powered units making the need for use of a "dummy" unit or a trailing
car. This unit differs from the standard DC type sound systems in that it contains automatic Horn
play patterns each time the input is triggered . Triggering the play patterns is done by the use of a
reed switch passing a fixed magnet. The Bell is also triggerd on and off in the same manner. Large
gauge "G" operators usually place the reed switch benea th the locomo tive. One side is u sed for the
Horn, the other side for the Bell. Magnet trips are then placed in the track. Another method of
operation is to operate the sound system as a stationary unit and place the magnets on the
underside of an engine or car.
An on/off switch (not included) must be used to power the sound unit on and off in some
applications. The audio amplifier can produce 1.1 watt of power which is in excess of what most
small speakers can handle. If more audio power is desired, an amplifier such as item #671 or #672
can be used. The speaker impedance must be 8 ohms or higher. Sound volume is adjustable. Refer
to our catalog for available speakers. Always try to use the largest size speaker for the space
allotted or multiple cluster's of four smaller speakers also works well.
Sounds produced via momentary reed switch closure are automated horn patterns, and a bell.
Non-user controllable sounds include brake release and electric cooling fan sound automatically
activated.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS: The sound system consists of a printed circuit board, a speaker,
four 2-pin connectors with wires and one 3-pin connectors with wires. Refer to the d rawing on page
2 to familiarize yourself with the connectors and controls on the sound board. Then refer to the
specific instruction sheets for the type of installation you intend to make. Before proceeding with the
installation read the balance of the instructions carefully so you will be completely familiar with what
is required and what sounds you should hear.
The circuit board should be mounted so that at min imum, the volume control is accessible either
through the frame or via a hatch or a hole in the locomotive body shell. Be certain that the
components on the circuit board do not come in contact with any metal objects as such contact can
destroy the sound system. The speaker should be mounted as per available space bearing in mind
that sound reproduction is enhanced when a speaker is properly enclosed and baffled.
If a DC locomotive is not moving, there is no track powe r, therefore to have sound it is necessary t o
have a separate power supply for the sound system. For in locomotive use, this separate supply is a
battery. Without a battery, the sound will not work at lowe r track voltages. For some this is not a
problem. Drawings are supplied for multiple types of connections. If using batte ries, we suggest the
use of one 9 volt or 6 AA or 6 AAA batteries in series to maximize volume potential and battery life.
Rechargeable batteries can be used. When connecting the battery (DC) power leads be absolutely
certain that wires connect to the proper DC input leads.
Installation of the reed switches is easily done by making the appropriate wire connections and
placing the reed switch in the proper location for magnet activation. When removing the reed
switches, be careful not to crack the glass. Do not bend the leads at the glass ends, use a needle
nose pliers to hold the wire entering the glass and the n bend the wire. Bending at the glass will
DCv3 AHrev0
break or deform the alignment of the reed switch. Carefully solder wires and cut excess lead ends.
Reed switches are not warranted under any circumstance since they are quite fragile and easily
broken physically and electrically. Extra reed switches are available, item 989. After appropriate
lengths of wire are placed on the reed switch, secure the reed switch with either double sided tape
(item 388) or other type of glue. Make sure that all wires to the reed switches and sound system d o
not come into contact with any other metal or power wire since this may damage the sound system.
If any connections are not done properly, especially the power connections, you will damage the
sound system. This type of damage is not covered under any warranty. The sound system is
thoroughly tested and inspected before packing to insure proper fu nction. There is a minimum
charge of $35.00 plus s/h for repair.
SPEAKER MOUNTING:
"get out" of the locomotive. A hole in the floor or fuel tank is acceptable but open grills or a doorway
may be a better choice as the sound can exit upward rather than down toward the track. In some
cases, particularly with plastic body shells, just mounting the speaker against the shell will be
adequate as the vibrations of the shell can enhance the sound. Enclosing the spea ker in a chamb er
will also enhance sound reproduction. A very simple enclosure can be made with a tube. The longer
the tube the better the speaker will reproduce low frequency sounds. It is usually best to seal the
end of the tube, so there are no air passages to the rear of the speaker, thus creating a sound
chamber. By carefully sealing all openings it may be possible to use the entire body shell as a
sound chamber. A simple wall behind the speaker may be all that is possible or perhaps all that is
needed.
Speakers can be attached with double sided tape, with glue or with "hot melt". Enclosures can be
made with plastic, wood, card stock or even metal. Film cans or medicine bottles make excellent
sound chamber enclosures for small diameter speakers. Attachment with "hot melt" is
advantageous as the "hot melt" can be used as a gap filler when creating an enclosure.
A second speaker, wired in series with the main speaker, can also enhance sound quality and will
permit a higher volume without damage to the individual speaker s. A tube with a speaker at each
end or a speaker in a doorway at each end of a body shell is an excellent appro ach. A four speaker
approach will yield the highest volume while still maintaining the 8 ohm minimum requirement.
Drawings for this are included in the speaker instructions.
Speaker enclosure is an art and experimentation is definitely in order for your installation so as to
gain the maximum benefit of the superb sound quality available in this sound system.
The speaker generally should be mounted so that the sound can actually
SOUND INFORMATION:
All sounds are discussed assuming that the sound unit is fully powere d at all times. If on ly powered
from track power, the sounds will only start when sufficient track voltage is obtained.
COOLING FANS (ELECTRIC): sounds range from silent (fans do not operate when not running) to
full fan rpm. With no power to the track / motor the sound system will produce no sounds. As a
throttle is advanced to put the locomotive in motion, a brake r elease will sound (see below) and the
electric fans will accelerate to full rpm. When track / motor power is removed the fans will, after a
period of time, ramp down in rpm and then stop.
BRAKE RELEASE:
brake release should always precede locomotive movement but will only occur if the locomotive
sound is actually at idle. This BRAKE RELEASE requires approximatly 1.5 to 2 volts of input voltage
(J3) to activate.
sound is produced when the throttle is advanced from the idle position. This
HORN: sound is controlled by the reed switch trigger. Upon closure of the reed switch via an
external magnet, the sound system will begin to play appropriate Horn patter ns. Each activation will
trigger a different Horn signal (play pattern). We used appropriate railroad patterns for a moving
train.
1
BELL:
sound is first activated by passing the reed switch trigger. After the bell has rung a few times,
it may be triggered off by passing the reed switch over the magnet again. The bell will turn off at the
end of a ring.
GENERAL OPERATING INFORMATION:
VOLUME ADJUSTMENT:
amplifier can produce more power than a small speaker can handle and that the sound will be
louder if the speaker is properly enclosed and baffled. If you are using batteries, the loude r the
volume the shorter the battery life.
NOTCH ADJUSTMENT : th is contr ol adjusts the sensitivity range for the brake release to occur. Full
clockwise will produce a brake release at approximat ely 1.5 volts to the track / motor. Rotate the
control CCW to increase the voltage required. Gauge 1 and other operators using higher motor
voltages will probably want to set this control full CCW.
should be set as desired for your application. Please remember that the
Volume Control
Notch Control
Speaker Output
(speed set)
J3 connections:
1 - not used (RED)
2 - Motor 1 (BLACK)
3 - Motor 2 (WHITE)
Common Horn signals used with this sound system
SOUND
long, 3-short .................. flagman protect rear of train
2-short ........................... acknowledgment
4-short ........................... call for signals
short, long ..................... inspect train line for leak or brakes sticking
2-long, short .................. approaching meet or wait point
2-long, short, long ......... approaching grade crossings
continuous long ............. approaching stations or junctions
successive shorts .......... alarm for something on track
INDICATION
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION SHEETS
PAGE
3 ................. Conventional DC
4 ................. Conventional DC with
5 ................. aux. Amplifier
5 .................. Remote Volume Control
6 ................. sample speaker installation
INSTALLATION TYPE
rechargeable battery
(J5) - not used
Remote Input (J4)
SYNC - not used
1 - Horn (red)
2 - Bell (gray)
NOTE: The speaker impedance should be kept near or above 8
ohms, therefore four 8 ohm speakers in a series/parallel
configuration is acceptable since it yields 8 ohms total
impedance. If you care to use two 8 ohm speakers you must
place them in SERIES.
J1 connections:
1 - track power 1 ..... also AC input 1 ............. (RED)
2 - track power 2 ..... also AC input 2 ............. (GRAY)
J2 connections:
1 - DC power "+" (RED)
2 - DC power "–" (GRAY)
When connecting DC power to the sound unit be absoloutly
sure that the "+" and "–" are connect correctly! If not, you will
either burn out the sound unit or the supply feeding it. This is
not covered under warranty!
2
Wiring standards:
wires with a "•" ARE a conn ect io n !
wires crossing over (without a "•") DO
NOT CONNECT!
246 W. Main St.
Leola, PA 17540
(717) 661-7041
www.dallee.com
Track power installation without batteries
speaker
speaker
Horn
Bell
Reed Switch
(physical)
Horn
Bell
Red - no connection
Black
White
Red
Gray
Red - no connection
Gray
DC
motor
lighting
circuits
DC track power installation using standard batteries
Red - no connection
Black
Gray
+
–
White
Red
ON / OFF
switch
#524 SPDT switch.
Switch shown in the OFF
position. Drawn as a spst.
DC
motor
lighting
circuits
Right Rail
pickup
either rail may be used. Right / Left
only used for reference.
Left Rail
pickup
Right Rail
pickup
either rail may be used. Right / Left
only used for reference.
Left Rail
pickup
– +
9V, or 6-AA,
or 6-AAA
batteries
Battery power - must not exceed 35 volts DC. Use one 9 volt battery or a string of 6 AA
or AAA batteries. Battery life depends on the volume setting and speaker impedance.
Typical operation of most sound systems, with one good 9 volt battery, is about 8 hours,
AA or larger mahr (milliamp hour) batteries is well beyond 50 hours!
3
speaker
DC track power installation with rechargeable battery.
When track voltage exceeds battery voltage, the sound system
will operate from track voltage instead of battery voltage.
Black
White
Red
Gray
Red
+
Gray
Horn
Bell
9V, or
6-AA, or
Reed Switch
(physical)
Battery power - must not exceed 35 volts DC. Use one 9 volt battery or a string of 6 AA
or AAA batteries. Battery life depends on the volume setting and speaker impedance.
Typical operation of most sound systems, with one good 9 volt battery, is about 8 hours,
AA or larger mahr (milliamp hour) batteries is well beyond 50 hours!
6-AAA
batteries
–
ON / OFF
switch
#524 SPDT switch.
Switch shown in the OFF
position. Drawn as a spst.
above with rechargeable battery & external charge connection.
The on/off switch is to turn the battery power on
for the sound unit. Otherwise the sound unit will
start when sufficient track voltage exists. The
battery will be charged with or w/o the switch
turned ON.
Right Rail
pickup
DC
motor
lighting
circuits
either rail may be used. Right / Left
only used for reference.
Left Rail
pickup
1N4002 or equivalent diode (item #374)
Resistor needs to be calculated for battery type (you must know the charge currents of the
batteries used) and maximum track voltage used.
R = (Vtrk max - 1.2 - Vbatt nominal charge voltage) / battery charge current
For 12 - 14 volt track voltage:
1 - Item #647 (8.4v / 150 mahr) rechargeable battery use 330 ohms (1/4 watt).
6 - Item #648 (1.2v / 700 mahr) rechargeable batteries in series, use 82 ohms (1/2 watt).
For 18 - 24 volt track voltage:
1 - Item #647 (8.4v / 150 mahr) rechargeable battery use 910 ohms (1/4 watt).
6 - Item #648 (1.2v / 700 mahr) rechargeable batteries in series, use 220 ohms (1 watt).
If higher charge currents are desired, reduce the resistor value (and increase it's wattage) but
bear in mind that standard charge currents are 10% of the total mahr of the batteries over 14
hours. Since most don't operate that long, either external charging may be done or increased
currents may be used. But increased battery charge currents must also be offset by shorter
charge times.
All connections to J1 and J3 are the same as shown above.
The external power source can be connected to the engine via a
connector so it can be unplugged when operatin g the engine.
Horn
Bell
Reed Switch
(physical)
Gray
+
–
9V, or
6-AA, or
6-AAA
batteries
Red
ON / OFF
switch
1N4002 or equivalent diode (item #374)
resistor same value as selected above.
4
+
–
External power source.
The voltage of this external
power should equal or be less in
voltage than the resistor value
selected for the track voltage
range used (see upper section).
If it is higher, then another
resistor needs to be placed in
series to lower the charge
currents.
Auxillary Amplifier connections
"Audio input" Connect to gray wire from sound system speaker output. Do not use the
red speaker wire from the sound system. This wire does not get connected! Either cut or
tape the red wire securely so that it cannot short to something. Never connect either of
the speaker output wires to ground. This will damage the sound system's amplifier and is
not covered under any warranty.
If desired, a speaker can still be connected to the main sound sytem speaker output as
well as another speaker from the amplifier.
Remote volume control with Auxillary Amplifier
With single sound systems, connect the gray wire from the speaker output to input "I". Connect
the rest as shown.
If using two sound system as shown on page 9, connect the junction of the two sound systems
to the capacitor as shown on page 9, then merely add the potentiometer as shown. This will only
work properly if the amplifier has an industry standard auxillary input.
auxillary AUDIO AMPLIFIER,
Item #671 or #672
Amplifier DC input power
Red -> +DC
Black -> ground
This needs to be the same as
the sound system power.
Connect to J2 of the sound
unit. Make sure proper polarity
is observed!
Gray
"Audio Input"
I
audio input from
sound system
1 2 3
viewed from front
External Volume control
with knob and capacitor
Remote
(item #601)
volume
control
1
2
3
+
1
3
1 mfd capacitor
Observe polarity!
—›
clockwise
2
Amplifier DC input power
Red -> +DC
Black -> ground
This needs to be the same
as the sound system power.
auxillary AUDIO AMPLIFIER,
Item #671 or #672
Gray
1
2
3
Auxillary Amplifier connections with two speakers.
Speaker 2
Speaker 1
Power and audio connections shown. All other
items get connected as per previous instructions /
installation chosen. Remeber, the audio amplifier's
require at least 12 volts to operate with a 24 volt
maximum limit.
1
2
3
1
2
3
Power and audio connections shown. All other
items get connected as per previous instructions /
installation chosen. Remeber, the audio amplifier's
require at least 12 volts to operate with a 24 volt
maximum limit.
6
Sample Speaker Installations
For open body shells it is necessary to make a speaker baffle instead of using
the body for a baffle. In both cases, the backside of the speaker is closed off.
Mounting a speaker facing out from
inside of the body. You have to seal
all edges of the speaker for a proper
baffle.
Body shell before speaker installation.
Using the fuel tank as a speaker
baffle is quite easy. In this case the
speaker eminates sound into the
body.
Mounting speaker in hood of engine using a metal gri ll for the exhaust.
Body shell after speaker installation. Speakers are mounted on a card stock formed
shelf and then hot melted in place. Air space is required between the front of the
speakers and the body bottom but the back of the speaker enclosure is completely
sealed to make a good enclosure / baffle! This type of installation yields more sou nd
per watt than one single speaker.
In the case of a long body, such as the GG1, you can place four speakers inside the
shell. As shown above, the body shell is used as the backside of the baffle The more
speakers, the better the sound (especially when using small speakers as in model
locomotives. Four speakers make an ideal configuration.
6
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