Phoenix BigSound PB17 Handbook

BigSound™ PB17 Handbook

Phoenix Sound Systems, Inc.

3514 West Liberty Road

Ann Arbor MI 48103

www.phoenixsound.com

phone: [phone]

fax: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

©2018 Phoenix Sound Systems, Inc.

Table of Contents

Introduction.......................................................................................................................3

Getting Acquainted............................................................................................................4

Changes in the PB17................................................................................................... 4

The Sound Board Connectors......................................................................................5

Initial Checkout.................................................................................................................6

The Basic Bench Test..................................................................................................6

Trigger Checkout...............................................................................................................7

Reed Switch Speed Checkout......................................................................................7

Other Trigger Checkout...............................................................................................7

Default Trigger Assignments.......................................................................................7

Standard Sounds and Effects.............................................................................................8

All Systems................................................................................................................. 8

Diesel Systems............................................................................................................8

Steam Systems............................................................................................................8

Triggered Sounds and Effects............................................................................................9

All Systems................................................................................................................. 9

Diesel Only................................................................................................................. 9

Steam Only..................................................................................................................9

Adjusting Settings Without a PC.....................................................................................10

Configuration Overview............................................................................................10

Configuration Notes..................................................................................................10

Option Selection Example: Steam Speed from Voltage.......................................11

Option Selection Example: Manual Signaling.....................................................11

Start Voltage Adjustment ..........................................................................................12

Rate Adjustment........................................................................................................ 12

DCC................................................................................................................................ 13

DCC Checkout..........................................................................................................13

DCC Function Defaults.............................................................................................13

Control Variables (DCC CV).....................................................................................14

Installation Guidelines.....................................................................................................15

Troubleshooting............................................................................................................... 16

Technical Specifications..................................................................................................17

Access Jack Diagram.......................................................................................................17

Appendix A: Wiring Diagrams........................................................................................18

Common Symbol Key...............................................................................................18

Basic DC................................................................................................................... 19

Basic DCC................................................................................................................. 20

CVP Airwire 900 G3.................................................................................................21

Aristocraft/Crest Revolution......................................................................................22

Locolinc®.................................................................................................................23

G Scale Graphics RailBoss 4.....................................................................................24

Basic Ride On...........................................................................................................25

Appendix B: The Computer Interface..............................................................................26

Warranty.......................................................................................................................... 27

January 2018

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Introduction

Dear Model Railroading Friends,

Thank you for choosing Phoenix Sound Systems to fill your railroad with
sound. The PB17system maintains and expands on the abilities of the PB9,
adding a fifth trigger input and increased battery charging efficiency. The PB17
will run on DC, DCC, Battery – almost any way you can think of to run and
control your locomotives.

The PB17 system, like all of our systems from the 2K2 onward, can be
loaded and customized using a PC. You will need to upgrade your PC software
to version 1.2.96 and ROM library files to version <filename>-r11.rom or newer
to load and save PB17compatible files.

We know you’re eager to do some listening, so continue through the initial
checkout. The Phoenix BigSound™ PB17 board comes with high input voltage
tolerances to keep pace with larger trains and bigger power supplies. The board
is protected against incorrect wiring and over-voltage gremlins. However, if you
notice static electric sparks when you touch things you should ground yourself
by touching something conductive before handling your board. Also be careful
not to put the board on metal surfaces or model parts when powered. Basic
electrical component handling precautions are always a good idea.

Happy Listening!

January 2018

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Getting Acquainted

Changes in the PB17

The PB17 sound board is electrically identical to the original PB11 board.

We know there will be some unavoidable confusion. The main difference to
note is the return of screw terminals. We have also returned the line level audio
output to the P1 terminal block.

IF YOU APPLY POWER TO THE SPEAKER TERMINALS THE AMPLIFIER WILL BE

DAMAGED AND OTHER COMPONENTS MAY BE EFFECTED AS WELL. THIS IS A BAD

THING TO ALLOW TO HAPPEN. THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.

A second change is the removal of the second trigger ground since the
screw terminals are more capable of multiple wire connections. Please be aware
that this will shift your trigger connections over by one space if you are familiar
with our previous sound board layouts.

January 2018

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The Sound Board Connectors

Terminal Purpose Terminal Purpose

1 Power/DCC 14 Trigger Ground

2 Power/DCC 13 Trigger Input 1

3 [Volume] Ground 12 Trigger Input 2

4 Volume Level 11 Trigger Input 3

5 [Volume] +5V 10 Trigger Input 4

6 Audio Line Level Out 9 Trigger Input 5

7 Speaker

8 Speaker

Connector: Pin Purpose Color Termination

P3:1 Battery - Black Battery

P3:2 Battery + Red Battery

P4:1 Ground Black 2.5mm Jack

P4:2 Expansion White –

P4:3 Computer Signal Yellow 2.5mm Jack

P4:4 +5V Red 2.5mm Jack

P4:5-11 FACTORY USE

P4:10 Ground

P4:11 Audio Line Level Out

January 2018

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P1

P3

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

14

13

12

11

10

9

10
11

+

P2

P4

1
2
3
4

Initial Checkout

The Basic Bench Test

Each system is tested before shipping but we recommend that you hook
things up on your workbench, play with the system and get comfortable with the
components before installation.

The power supply connects to Terminals 1 & 2. A power source of any
polarity is acceptable. The maximum peak input voltage is 30 volts. If you are
using a volume switch plug it into Terminals 3,4 & 5. The speaker connects to
Terminals 7 & 8.

Until the battery is charged, you will not get sound until the external power
supply reaches near 6 Volts. Also, since the board runs off the battery below 6
Volts, you will not get idle sounds and you will not be able to adjust the starting
voltage until the battery is charged.

Maximum battery charging occurs above 6 Volts (30 minutes will bring the
battery up enough for normal operation). With a charged battery, the sound
system should play the idle sounds for approximately 30 seconds after turning
off the power supply and then shut down.

Diesels will rev up and down as you adjust the supply voltage. A steam
engine system on the other hand will sit in idle (Coal Shoveling and Air
Compressor play periodically) until it sees motion contacts connecting terminal
11 to ground. Each closure produces a Chuff. At first Chuff, the directional toots
play and the bell starts ringing.

Steam can be configured to run off of voltage and diesel can be changed to
look for wheel rotation. We initially set them up the way most modelers will use
them.

January 2018

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Trigger Checkout

Reed Switch Speed Checkout

In order for steam to leave the idle state you will need a reed switch
connected to terminals 13 & 14; you may wish to hook one up and experiment
with the magnets to get an idea of the sensitivity of reed switches. This will help
you decide how to mount them in the locomotive or car. Whenever the trigger
(13) is connected to the trigger ground (14) the system sees motion. The first
closure should play the start toots and the starting bell.

Other Trigger Checkout

If you will be using reed switches and track magnets or other triggers, such
as non-DCC remote control receiver outputs or Hall Effect devices, to trigger
sounds you may wish to test them out before final installation. For reed
switches, hook one lead to ground and the other to the desired trigger; sweep a
magnet by the switch to trigger. If you are using RC outputs, connect them as
per the appropriate wiring diagram and test their response for range and
reliability. The chart below shows the default trigger terminal assignments.

Default Trigger Assignments

Terminal Diesel Steam

9 Chatter Chatter

10 Detector Blowdown

11 Bell Bell

12 Crossing Horn Crossing Whistle

13 Unassigned Chuff, main

14 Trigger Ground Trigger Ground

January 2018

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Standard Sounds and Effects

Most sounds play automatically based on train speed. Many sounds can also
be set to play using designated trigger inputs. The following section describes
the standard sound system configuration.

All Systems

Whistle/Horn: Toots when starting (2 forward, 3 reverse) and stopping (one

toot). Crossing whistle sequence plays when you reach the Whistle/Horn
play speed. You must slow down to at least 75% of the play speed in
order to have it play again when you speed back up.

Bell: Plays when you first start moving and just before stopping. You must reach

twice the bell stopping speed in order to replay the bell when stopping.
The bell will not replay unless 35 seconds have elapsed since the last
time it played.

Coupler Clank: Plays when you come to a stop in reverse; will not replay until

you go forward and back up again.

Brake Screech: Plays just before stopping.

Diesel Systems

Air Pop: Plays periodically during idle. Also plays while moving in SFX.
Brake Release: Plays as the engine starts moving.
Compressor: Plays periodically during idle.

Steam Systems

Blow Down: A longer and heavier steam release that clears out the

ashes/clinkers.

Steam Release: Plays after you come to a stop.
Generator: Basically runs all the time but the engineer will shut it down if the

engine sits in idle for awhile. Comes back on when voltage approaches
the start voltage.

Air-Pump: Plays in idle to maintain air pressure.
Air-Pump 2: A sustained compressor run that restores depleted air pressure.
Rod clank: Plays at slow speed.
Hiss: Plays at low speed, clears the cylinders of condensation from the steam.
Coal Shoveling: Plays periodically while engine sits at idle.
Injector: Forces water into the boiler. Plays periodically while engine sits at

idle.

January 2018

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Triggered Sounds and Effects

The PB17 board has five trigger inputs. The Auxiliary Input Board [P5T]
allows you to trigger additional sounds using reed switches or outputs from
remote control receivers. The following section describes sounds which may be
assigned to triggers or DCC functions. Of course, any sound can be assigned to a
trigger. See the tables on pages 6 and 12 for factory default trigger and DCC
Function assignments.

All Systems

Tunnel Fade: This trigger causes the volume to fade down to a lower setting.

When the input is triggered again, the volume will come back to the
prefade setting.

Doppler: In diesel, when you trigger this input, the next time the crossing horn

plays it will go thorough the pitch shift that you hear as a train is
speeding toward and then away from you. Doppler is speed sensitive. In
steam, triggering this effect will cause the pitch of the chuff to shift as the
engine approaches and a second triggering will cause the pitch to shift
back to normal.

Working/Drifting: An effect that makes the locomotive sound like it is

struggling with a heavy train or coasting into a station.

Diesel Only

Dynamic Brake: A triggered only sound. It is almost a tone which results from

using diesel drive motors as generators.

Rev Up/Down: Causes the prime mover sound to go to the next/previous rev.

The sound will return to the corresponding rev based upon speed
changes.

Radio Defect (Hotbox) Detector: Plays a detector radio announcement

randomly selected from a list. Can be triggered or set to play
automatically.

Steam Only

Water Fill: In programmed mode the sound plays 10 seconds after trigger if the

loco is stopped; in manual mode the sound plays when triggered.

Coal Loading: In programmed mode the sound plays 10 seconds after trigger if

the loco is stopped; in manual mode the sound plays when triggered.

Mallet Mode: Plays a second set of chuffs, moving in and out of phase with the

main chuff.

Second Chuff Trigger: Plays a second set of chuffs independent of the main

chuff trigger.

January 2018

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