Large Scale Central

Anybody know anything about Phoenix sound systems

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

I have an old, possibly original Phoenix sound system (a PS 97, I think), which is actuated by reed switches that control the bell and the crossing whistle. The start signal, air pump, and dynamo sounds are self actuating, coming to life when you power up the sound system and when you direct the loco to move–forward (two toots) or in reverse (three toots). Likewise, a single toot signifying stop is heard when you power down/off. The crossing whistle and other sounds, like cylinder blowoff, are governed by train speed and or voltage (i.e., higher voltage equals faster speeds). But there are other sounds built into the chip, like rod clank and wheel squeal, I believe.

My question: can you “get into” the chips and isolate the various sounds and make them externally controllable so that you can make each sound work when you want it? In a brief e-mail exchange, the tech guy at Phoenix said there wasn’t much you could do with the old system. Is that true?

I know that you can use your radio controller or DCC to actuate the whistle and bell, functions that are often controlled by reed switches. But what about the other sounds? Are they “accessible”?

#2

Joe -

The Phoenix guy is pretty much right. The early boards like the 97 are all factory programmed and have minimal input triggers. If you send them the chips, for about $20 they will re-program, but depending on what you want it may or may not be possible. At best, you could get manual bell and whistle triggers plus perhaps a chuff trigger. Beyond that the sounds are automatic and may or may not be able to be muted by a re–program depending on the sound file you are using.

Phoenix can also completely change the sound file if you don’t like the one currently programmed.

With the introduction of the 2K and the boards that followed there were many more trigger inputs and the ability to program yourself using a PC interface cable and software.

#3

I do not think the 97 is DCC capable, sounds need to be controlled by function outputs on decoders.

#4

The Big Sound 97 is DCC compatible to an extent.

I have two connected to DCC decoders and have the Bell, Whistle and Chuff controlled by the DCC system, however the automatic sounds still remain.

I also have the the volume control connected to the DCC system to better adjust the overall volume for different conditions like trying to talk to someone.

#5

I won the Phoenix BS 97 for the FA on the bay yesterday and I don’t think it has the manual. My other systems are all Sierra Soundtraxx so this will be a nice change.

But, I found both the steam and diesel manuals on line:

http://www.phoenixsound.com/pdf/Diesel97.pdf

http://www.phoenixsound.com/pdf/Steam97.pdf

#6

Todd, thanks, but I have the manual. Jon, yeah, I had my other 97 (or maybe a 98, 'cause it’s a year or so newer) reprogrammed by Phoenix so that I can, by using my Aristo Train Engineer, blow the whistle, and sound the bell. Of course, chuff has always been owner actuable (I made that word up). I suppose I could just buy a new Phoenix, but right now I am throwing my allowance at my old Porsche, which needs a few things. One thing I do want to do-dah, do-dah, is battery-ize my other loco so I can get rid of track power. Battery power is so much nicer, even in the living room (Carpet Town, I call it) where I can easily access the track.

#7

Joe, Phoenix will also take your old Big Sound 97 sound board in trade along with some cash and upgrade you to one of the newer boards. I have done this lots of times for my customers who have the older boards. You would have to check with Phoenix on the current exchange cost.

#8

I just found an email from Phoenix and they said “The Model 97 only has a few triggerable effects, the rest play automatically. They are Chuff, bell, whistle, doppler.” Phoenix also included a diagram of the connections (Trigger ground, chuff trigger, crossing whistle trigger, bell trigger, doppler trigger, auto chuff (dip switch 2), double chuff (dip switch 3), Ground (dip switch 4). Reading this reminded me that I can manually actuate doppler and engage double chuff, which as one of you pointed out, is like going from two trigger contacts to four.

#9

I just tried out the '97 I received. I guess these don’t do the lighting like the Soundtraxx. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-frown.gif)

Not bad, but didn’t impress me over the Sierra like I had hoped.

This one has the “Big Boost” for low speed running and supercaps and doesn’t sputter like the Sierra when it runs out of juice on supercaps, which is nice.

#10

I also found that the Phoenix can push a 4 ohm load whereas the Sierra won’t. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

#11

Todd Brody said:

I also found that the Phoenix can push a 4 ohm load whereas the Sierra won’t. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

They have quite a bit of power. I’ve driven 4 speakers (wired in series-parallel) with a 2K and it doesn’t even get warm.