Installing Phoenix PB11v6 on 3 Truck Shay

[maxi-model]

Long shot I know. About to take this back to shop for refund if this does not work as I cannot find reliable information for installation so far. This is going to be a DC installation, track power only. Phoenix website only shows the PB9 installation on a 3 truck (very straightforward and great picture info). The manual provide with the card and bits is not specific to the 3 truck Shay, just generic, so it does not show the correct speed/chuff sensor set up or even the same set of wiring terminals shown for the PB9..Don't want to blow up nigh on £250 worth of kit or spend hours messing about. £100 quote for shop install is a deal breaker.

Noted on a LSC thread that the 3 Truck Shay's chuff sensor is prone to getting stuck - axle mount not viable - resulting in the possible need for a strip down of the rather complex and delicate cylinder assemblies to fix every so often..

Is this going to end up more trouble than it is worth ? Your input please. Max

 

[PhilP]

Hello Max,
Nice to talk. Think you are probably right to get a factory fit, and return the card.
PhilP.

 

[royale]

Hi Max - If you go onto Google and type in BigSound PB11 Handbook-Phoenix Sound, you can download the PB11 Handbook. This might help you with your problem. The guys at Phoenix Sound are very helpful if you phone or e-mail them. All the best with your Shay.

 

[maxi-model]

Hi Max - If you go onto Google and type in BigSound PB11 Handbook-Phoenix Sound, you can download the PB11 Handbook. This might help you with your problem. The guys at Phoenix Sound are very helpful if you phone or e-mail them. All the best with your Shay.

Problem is the manual supplied, correct for PB11v6, does not match up to the very helpful photo installation PDF on the Phoenix site......its for a PB9 not a PB11v6. Very different in the terminal dept.

My decision to make is this -

1) Do I install a Phoenix PB11v6 sound card, c£350+ dealer fitted in the UK, in my existing 3 (die cast) truck Shay. I really cannot find concise info on fitting - even the Phoenix site/manual is conflicting on this specific installation - to do it myself and save c £100.

- or -

2) Do I ship over from a reliable US source a NIB 3 truck with factory Tsunami sound at a landed and tax/handling fee paid price of £420 and sell off my existing (nice clean boxed with all accessories, packaging and paperwork) loco to compensate the price.

1 is the easiest risk and logistic wise, 2 would be the much cheaper option, with similar functionality, but with the risk I end up with a bag of nuts based on what I have read elsewhere about the Tsunami sound card installed.

Ho, hum,what to do ? How much do I want a loco with sound ? I've already returned the card to the retailer which has been duly refunded. There are other UK suppliers out there. Max.

 

[silverfox]

Problem is the manual supplied, correct for PB11v6, does not match up to the very helpful photo installation PDF on the Phoenix site......its for a PB9 not a PB11v6. Very different in the terminal dept.

My decision to make is this -

1) Do I install a Phoenix PB11v6 sound card, c£350+ dealer fitted in the UK, in my existing 3 (die cast) truck Shay. I really cannot find concise info on fitting - even the Phoenix site/manual is conflicting on this specific installation - to do it myself and save c £100.

- or -

2) Do I ship over from a reliable US source a NIB 3 truck with factory Tsunami sound at a landed and tax/handling fee paid price of £420 and sell off my existing (nice clean boxed with all accessories, packaging and paperwork) loco to compensate the price.

1 is the easiest risk and logistic wise, 2 would be the much cheaper option, with similar functionality, but with the risk I end up with a bag of nuts based on what I have read elsewhere about the Tsunami sound card installed.

Ho, hum,what to do ? How much do I want a loco with sound ? I've already returned the card to the retailer which has been duly refunded. There are other UK suppliers out there. Max.

Hi Max,

Not sure what the problem really is - sorry if this sounds trite - the Phoenix sound card should run without any chuff sensor, using the variable voltage level from track power, increase volts, loco moves in DC mode and likewise the Phoenix card produces the sound of movement related to speed. This is normally the default situation, I am assuming that the Phoenix card is pre loaded with the correct Shay sound?

The card is then installed inside the tender with speaker etc, picking up track power from the rear truck. If my memory serves the coal load lifts out giving access to the inside of the tender - or am I being dumb, thinking of some other loco.....!!??

I like Phoenix in either DCC or analogue as they are generally straight forward to fit.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I would also use the "voltage" triggered chuff, and not try the mechanical chuff switch, it is indeed problematic, and even if you get it working, will take regular maintenance/adjusting.

Greg