Help with light and sound options...

What's the volume and sound quality like on the smaller scale sound chips, Colin? Enough "oomph" to drive a nice big speaker for outdoor use?

Jon.
 
It obviously depends on how loud you want it Jon! I've got a couple of different makes of smaller sound chips and neither are turned up full. Sound quality is improved considerable with the use of a sound chamber, even with the bigger amplifiers
 
So it now sounds (no pun intended) that Option 2 can be just a decoder wired for DC? Depending on which chip I go for it could also do the lighting requirements.

Cool.

So what about Option 1?
 
Zerogee said:
James - I think you're right in that the motor blocks look like they are internally connected for analogue operation only, but quite honestly I'm very surprised by this - I would have expected Rene to have made it simple to DCC-chip his kit, and all that would have required is to make the motor blocks 4-wire (2 motor leads, 2 track power) - for analogue operation you'd just connect the paired wires, for DCC you'd wire them to the decoder - as a certain Meerkat would say, "Simples!".
If he hasn't provided this facility - which, as I said, would be a rather odd decision on his part - then you'd have to dismantle the blocks and internally rewire them to allow chipping, if you ever wanted to go DCC.
Jon.
Click to expand...
My sentiments entirely.
James, if I had paid out that sort of money I would expect a reasonable level of customer service. My first course of action would be to discuss the issue with Rene, probably via email.
 
Chaps - I don't have a problem with the motor blocks, please don't bring this into question, it is off topic from my point of view. If you'd have bought the kit then it would be fair to be dissappointed. I am not, I don't run digital, and don't plan to, hence my questions in this thread. If I was running digital this thread would not exist, I would be getting an XLS for sure!
 
I thought I would dig one out and check it...

I connected power to the pick up shoes - nothing.
I connected power to the pair of wires protruding from the block - nothing.
I connected power to the trailing leads - wheels move.

I therefore summise that actually, despite appearances, it is wired for DCC operation.
I suspect therefore, that a XLS is probably the best option for future proofing?
 
I must have missed something: There are two wires comng from each block, right? no movement when you tried applying power to the wheels and skates, but it worked when you applied power to the wires? In that case how do you get power from the wheels to the wires? I would expect 4 wires from each block.
 
There are a short pair of metal wires protruding from each block (as well as the red and white wires) - I've not checked yet but I suspect these are connected to the wheel and plunger pickups. In analog you just connect these up, but in digital, obviously you connect them separately to the chip.
 
Ah - that's making sense!
 
Yes, as Nick says, that makes much more sense than just two wires from the block. In that case, I would DEFINITELY go for an XLS and the chunkiest Visaton speaker you can fit in the space available (with a spray-can-cap enclosure over the speaker, works a treat). It'll run fine on analogue (and sound great), gets over all your lighting voltage problems, and will be all ready for DCC when you decide to make the leap.

If the XLS prices over here are a bit high, try this chap in Germany:
http://stores.ebay.de/stebaorg?_trk...ervice and very easy to deal with. Jon.
 
Great link Jon :thumbup:
If you aren't in a massive hurry I'd hang on a bit tho as I believe the UK is about to get another very knowledgable Massoth dealer fairly soon.;)
 
shropshire lad said:
Great link Jon :thumbup:
If you aren't in a massive hurry I'd hang on a bit tho as I believe the UK is about to get another very knowledgable Massoth dealer fairly soon.;)
Click to expand...

This sounds intriguing, Colin, can you tell us any more....? ;)

Jon.
 
Those in the know...
How do all the different types of sound on the Massoth chip work and activate on analog?

What I really don't want is any of that 'station announcer' guff going on - I presume it's a trigger button on digital, is it just 'off' on analog or would it be there every time I started it up?
 
On analogue, you won't get stuff like the station announcements, James; in general, what you'll get on analogue is:

As you turn the control knob up slowly, you should hear the start-up sequence before the loco starts to move; you'll then get (usually) a single horn blast just as it starts to move, and obviously the running sounds while it is in motion. As you slow down again, you should get the brake squeal as it comes to a stop, then if you leave the controller JUST below the move-off voltage the idling sounds should continue. Most of the other sounds will be inaccessible on analogue, but will be there lurking ready to tempt you towards the Dark Side.... ;)

Jon.
 
Jon that is good news...
Just got to listen to a few Youtube videos to decide on the sound file - you did some listening didn't you? What was your verdict in the end?
 
Well, I reckon the closest horn note was the Massoth file for the Generic Big Diesel (actually for the LGB V200), though this might sound like too many cylinders for your taste (I think it's something like paired V12s). Motor-wise, probably the V51/52, though you really need to listen and make your own mind up.

Jon.
 
So according to Wikipedia I'm gathering some 'engine' data for the various diesel hydraulic types available from Massoth...

The Faur (http://translate.google.co.uk/trans...=1&u=http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lxd2) seems < Link To http://translate.google.c...iki%2FLxd2) seems to be a single, turbocharged Maybach 6 cylinder.

The 2095 (http://translate.google.co.uk/trans...&u=http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96BB_2095 ) is a single 12 cylinder - not sure if it's turbocharged?

The V51/V52 (http://translate.google.co.uk/trans...http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB-Baureihe_V_51 ) is a twin engined, not sure of engine size of if it's turbocharged?

(please add to this if you know any more information)
 
The V100/BR199 (http://translate.google.co.uk/trans...ttp://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/DR-Baureihe_V_100 ) is a 12 cylinder (V12?) with turbocharger...

The V200 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_class_V_200 ) is a twin engined, 12 cylinder without turbo...

The BR218 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_218 ) is single engined, possibly a 12 cylinder without turbo?...

I think that is all the suitable Massoth sounds...
I'll have to have a proper listen to a few next - the V100 on paper should sound the closest (single engine with turbo) to the Fahr's 6 cylinder turbo'd Maybach.
 
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