Steam whistle sound

My45G · 4 Mar 2017

Anyone installed an electronic sound card and speaker into a Roundhouse live steam engine?
I would like to have an electronic steam whistle sound operated by a pair of switch contacts from a servo switch connected to a channel on the R/C receiver.

PhilP · 4 Mar 2017

I was going to say this was an expensive way of getting a whistle, but having seen the cost of steam whistles, maybe not.

You may not need to use a servo / mechanical switch.. What make of RC do you have on the loco?

Andy Quirot (amongst others) does a switch that connects onto a servo output of your receiver.

Some receivers have outputs you can use to trigger a soundcard.

Tony Walsham · 4 Mar 2017

PhilP said:
I was going to say this was an expensive way of getting a whistle, but having seen the cost of steam whistles, maybe not. You may not need to use a servo / mechanical switch.. What make of RC do you have on the loco? Andy Quirot (amongst others) does a switch that connects onto a servo output of your receiver. Some receivers have outputs you can use to trigger a soundcard.

Tony Walsham · 4 Mar 2017

I checked out the Andy Quirot website and could not find any price for or any way of ordering the two way R//C switch.
I am very interested in stocking them.

PhilP · 5 Mar 2017

Tony Walsham said:
I checked out the Andy Quirot website and could not find any price for or any way of ordering the two way R//C switch.
I am very interested in stocking them.

I'll send you a PM, Tony..
PhilP.

My45G · 5 Mar 2017

Hi Tony
I am using Roundhouse live steam locos that are 2.4Ghz radio control with a system from Lococontrol. Timpdon sell a servo switch that plugs into a channel on the receiver (if I use channel 5, I can use the bind button on the TX to operate it) I need a sound card that plays a steam whistle for as long or short as the contacts are closed. I am looking at a unit from express models but don't have the details yet
rgds
steve

Tony Walsham · 5 Mar 2017

Viper also make a 2 function R/C switch. Works just fine but only a maximum of 50 ma per trigger. Problem is the price is only a bit less than their excellent Viper-10 ESC.

My45G · 5 Mar 2017

Tony Walsham said:
Viper also make a 2 function R/C switch. Works just fine but only a maximum of 50 ma per trigger. Problem is the price is only a bit less than their excellent Viper-10 ESC.

The answer might be a simple greetings card recorder with a few simple mods

My45G · 5 Mar 2017

Have found a website called Talking Products. They have a cube with the following features:

Talking Cubes are an exciting new addition to our Voice Recordable Range. Bring your craft ideas to life by recording 20 seconds of speech, music or sound effects via the built-in microphone and Speaker.

Also includes an AUDIO-IN socket to allow you to record sound directly from a CD Player, Computer, iPad or iPhone, (using a 3.5mm Phono Plug Lead bought separately).
1. Record speech, music or any sound effect
2. Built-in microphone and speaker
3. You can re-record your message as many times as you wish
4. AUX Socket, 2 pin socket to connect alternative playback switches
5. Optional accessories are available for alternative activation methods, e.g. sensor or switch
6. Includes an AUDIO-IN socket to allow you to record sound directly from a CD Player, iPad, iPhone or Computer.
7. Recording time: 20 seconds
8. Size: 35 x 35 x 35mm

Will need some surgery to fit my requirements but means I can input genuine steam whistle recordings from my PC but for about £6 they are worth a try.

ChrisD · 28 Mar 2017

Have a look at these guys, http://ittproducts.com for a whistle sound module, and one of these, either a Turnigy Receiver Controlled Switch or Turnigy TX Controlled Relay Switch that uses a servo output to activate / power the sound module.
I use the RCS TX3 controller and will be using the CH5 bind/trigger to activate the Servo sw module. Have tested on bench and works, just need to retro fit to loco now. This will be going into my restored LGB Frank S Live steam, plenty of room in tender to put everything in.
This should also activate the sound modules from http://www.electronics123.com. They have a USB programmable unit that you can get the sound you want. HAve played with these too and they are good value for money plus have amp to drive a speaker directly.

GAP · 28 Mar 2017

My45G said:
The answer might be a simple greetings card recorder with a few simple modsView attachment 220380

Coupled with this it should be an economical project.
https://www.pololu.com/product/2802
Use the switch to close the input on the greeting card recorder and there you go.

I have started using Pololu equipment and it very cost effective, around $50 Au get an ESC with Fwd and Rev on the one transmitter control with LiPo under voltage protection as well.

dunnyrail · 28 Mar 2017

My45G said:
Have found a website called Talking Products. They have a cube with the following features:

Talking Cubes are an exciting new addition to our Voice Recordable Range. Bring your craft ideas to life by recording 20 seconds of speech, music or sound effects via the built-in microphone and Speaker.

Also includes an AUDIO-IN socket to allow you to record sound directly from a CD Player, Computer, iPad or iPhone, (using a 3.5mm Phono Plug Lead bought separately).
1. Record speech, music or any sound effect
2. Built-in microphone and speaker
3. You can re-record your message as many times as you wish
4. AUX Socket, 2 pin socket to connect alternative playback switches
5. Optional accessories are available for alternative activation methods, e.g. sensor or switch
6. Includes an AUDIO-IN socket to allow you to record sound directly from a CD Player, iPad, iPhone or Computer.
7. Recording time: 20 seconds
8. Size: 35 x 35 x 35mm

Will need some surgery to fit my requirements but means I can input genuine steam whistle recordings from my PC but for about £6 they are worth a try.

Like the look of these, with a Switch (the light or coin operated ones are the cheeper) would provide the Plug In to link the wire cut off from the Coin or Light sensor to a Relay or servo switch if there is such a thing. I can think of this being just the ticket.
JonD

My45G · 8 Apr 2017

Problem solved. A very helpful and responsive guy called Mike Ridley of Model Radio Workshop www.modelradioworkshop.co.uk makes just such a device and if you send him an mp3 file of the whistle of your choice he would load into the chip. For £23 the MRW63 sound store is very small, plugs into a channel on the receiver, does not need a separate power supply or any other components except for the addition of a suitable loudspeaker. Just fitted one into the side tank of my Roundhouse Lady Anne

DGM · 8 Apr 2017

My45G said:
Problem solved. A very helpful and responsive guy called Mike Ridley of Model Radio Workshop www.modelradioworkshop.co.uk makes just such a device and if you send him an mp3 file of the whistle of your choice he would load into the chip. For £23 the MRW63 sound store is very small, plugs into a channel on the receiver, does not need a separate power supply or any other components except for the addition of a suitable loudspeaker. Just fitted one into the side tank of my Roundhouse Lady Anne[/QUO

Cool! Can you post a video of the loco in operation?
-Greg

Steam whistle sound

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