Steam Whistle

[steveh99]

Has anyone managed to fit an electronic steam whistle sound to their R/C live steam locos?

With all the sound cards around these days, it must be possible to get a steam whistle sound using a pair of switch contacts as the input rather than full blown DCC.

I have a servo switch that connects to a channel on the 2.4GHz receiver that provides the switch contacts. If I use channel 5, I can operate this using the bind button on the transmitter.

I can't seem to find a solution that doesn't involve DCC

Rgds

[tom_tom_go]

Hi Steve,

I believe you are using Deltang?

I operate a horn using the bind button on an electric loco so you can do this but I also use the bind button to operate a servo for a real whistle fitted to a live steamer so would you not want that?

If you want to go down the soundcard route what one did you have in mind?

[steveh99]

I use lococontrol, not deltang, but basically the same thing. I don't have a soundcard in mind, apart from possibly mylocosound. I didn't want a steam whistle as with a slomo in place, there is not really room for a live steam one. Also requires mods to the regulator fitting etc and I don't really like the sound it makes. Also short on space for servo. ( I might also struggle with space for a loudspeaker so was wondering what options I have and if anyone out there has done it before)

[tom_tom_go]

Something like this then that just works off a push button switch?

http://www.expressmodels.co.uk/acatalog ... dules.html

Speaker wise you can fit HO/OO scale one.

[steveh99]

Thank you fo your for the response, it looks very promising, will keep you posted

[steveh99]

May have come up with the answer - greetings card recorder.

Can record up to 10 secs of audio - play a steam sound whistle - and play back with a simple switch. Will need some mods, but nothing too tricky.

[artfull dodger]

I saw a video over on youtube where someone put a sound card in a USA prototype engine to give all the background sounds not possible in G scale live steam like the turbo generator for the headlight, bell and multi chime whistle. So might call foul doing this on a non sparkie but it really made the engine seem that much more real. Mike

[steveh99]

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.

[ge_rik]

May have come up with the answer - greetings card recorder.

Can record up to 10 secs of audio - play a steam sound whistle - and play back with a simple switch.  Will need some mods, but nothing too tricky.

...... and .... the sounds can be triggered by the Deltang receiver if you do decide to go down this route. I used two of these to provide engine sound and a horn for my IP plate frame Simplex

https://riksrailway.blogspot.co.uk/2015 ... -card.html

Rik

[steveh99]

Thanks Rik, just viewed your blog and that it very much was I was intending to do. The sound cube may prove to be better because the recording can be an mp3 loaded directly rather than via a microphone. I will experiment and report back