RS3 Sound Install (video link and photos)

[jdcolombo]

Thank you John - I have ordered for my future RS-3 installations. 

I think I am going to use my NAR GP9 for my first install as it uses an Atlas/China drive which is no doubt identical to the GP7 install you did.  I will have to order a Micro Select decoder with the right sound and I am wondering for a GP9 which version of the 567 sound file I should order?

Thanks,

Tim

Hi Tim.

Use the #73836 sound file for the GP9.  This is the non-turbo 16-cyl. 567 prime mover.  There are two different versions of the prime mover sound on the file.  The "default" is the version that uses manual transition between notch 3 and 4.  If you've ever heard an old manual transition Geep, you know what I'm talking about - the engine notches up to notch 3, then whines down to idle while the engineer cuts the power supply over to full parallel (or is that full series?  I forget) to provide maximum current to the traction motors, then immediately notches up again to notch 4.   Many (most?) GP9's, however, had automatic transition, and you can select the automatic transition version of the file by entering a different value in CV48 (which also selects the horn and bell rate; it's all explained in the manual).

John C.

[jdcolombo]

MBK also started carrying Zimo speakers.  They are out of the 8x12x6, but they have plenty of 8x12x8 speakers.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Zimo-Small-Speaker-Sound-Chamber-p/zmo-ls8x12x8.htm

This version of the speaker would be fine, too, because you're going to cut off the supplied "sound chamber" (which is mounted on the front of the speaker, with the wire connection tabs poking up on "top") and build your own custom enclosure that's about 4.5mm high.  That's all you've got room for in this installation.  The "sound chamber" is held on with some kind of double-sided tape; you can take it off by cutting through the tape with a new #11 blade and separating the sound chamber from the speaker.  Then build a "normal" enclosure around the speaker with the top side actually pointing up and the enclosure encasing the wire connection tabs.

John C.

[keeper]

The problem with that speaker is that the sound chamber and the speaker are actually 11x15 mm in size. The speaker itself is 8x12 mm but that does not include the frame around it, it is just the membrane.

Thomas

[jdcolombo]

The problem with that speaker is that the sound chamber and the speaker are actually 11x15 mm in size. The speaker itself is 8x12 mm but that does not include the frame around it, it is just the membrane.

Thomas

Then that won't work.  The overall width of the speaker/enclosure can't be more than 10mm.

John C.

[peteski]

The problem with that speaker is that the sound chamber and the speaker are actually 11x15 mm in size. The speaker itself is 8x12 mm but that does not include the frame around it, it is just the membrane.

Thomas

Hmmm.  I just took my caliper and measured my Zimo 8x12x8 speaker I bought from MBK few months ago.  The speaker frame (not the membrane) is 8x12.  The sound chamber on all the Zimo speakers I have does not extend beyond the speaker frame either.

If you have the same MBK part (I posted link to earlier) and yours is not 8x12 then something fishy is going on at Zimo/MBK.

[keeper]

Oooops, sorry for the confusion. 
The Zimo I have is a LS 10x15.
I have another speaker which is advertised as 8x12 but really is 11x15 for the chamber and 8x12 for the menbrane. Or I got the wrong speaker....

Thomas

[BCR 570]

Use the #73836 sound file for the GP9.  This is the non-turbo 16-cyl. 567 prime mover.  There are two different versions of the prime mover sound on the file.  The "default" is the version that uses manual transition between notch 3 and 4.  If you've ever heard an old manual transition Geep, you know what I'm talking about - the engine notches up to notch 3, then whines down to idle while the engineer cuts the power supply over to full parallel (or is that full series?  I forget) to provide maximum current to the traction motors, then immediately notches up again to notch 4.   Many (most?) GP9's, however, had automatic transition, and you can select the automatic transition version of the file by entering a different value in CV48 (which also selects the horn and bell rate; it's all explained in the manual).

Thanks John - this answers my question.

Tim

[Mike Madonna]

Gentleman,

Loksound Select Micro file #73836
CV48:
Manual Transition = 0 (Default)
Automatic Transition = 16

In CV 48, you'll be able to select the above "prime mover", bell rate (fast/slow), two brake "squeals" and many horns to choose from. The manual is available for download (pdf file) on the ESU website.

As for the Zimo, I'm sure the 8 x 12 mm is indeed that size. I just did an install using that speaker with the aforementioned Select Micro "EMD 567" file. Sounds really good 

[rg1331]

Thanks John
Being an SP&S fan I've been wondering how to get sound in my RS3s
Great how you showed how you did it, now I've got to get some decoders
Love your work
Cheers Reid 

[Tsail]

Great work John !  Watched all your vid's, and the sounds are better than what I have heard on HO equipment. Especially the horns. I still have to ask though...are all those sound effects really emitting from those little speakers ? If that is the actual sound I am switching to DCC !...sign me up !  Again, great instructional post !

[Mark5]

Great work on a loco with little space in the hood!

[robert3985]

John, Your work is absolutely invaluable!  A great service to the N-scale community.  My hat is off to you.

[Lemosteam]

+1.  I never thought I'd see the day that a cap, decoder AND a speaker was jammed into an RS3, and a pretty elegant solution to boot.  Good thing PRR ran long hood forward...

[BCR751]

I have a couple of the original Atlas/Kato RS-3's and looking at that frame, a decoder install, never mind a sound decoder + speaker, looks like it will be a huge challenge.

Doug

[JMaurer1]

Bumping this topic back up since it is mentioned in another sound thread...