I am still trying to find out more about this Sound thing. It is a P.H. Hobbies digital sound s5100 series. I know I posted here before about it . I cannot seem, to find anything online about this particular sound board. If anyone out there could help me out would greatly appreciate it…Thanks, Travis
P. H. Hobbies doesn’t seem to be around any more. Here is a link to George Schreyer’s page about the system.
Why are you interested in ancient technology? Just wondering…
Well the ancient tech was given to me new in the box. I’ve been to Georges site and it does not list this series s5100 . I’m looking to find out how ya hook it up so I can play around with it and see what i can do with it also the instructions seem a little confusing to me, as i have never used anything like thi s before… Thank You for you reply to my Post…
Travis,
if supplied ‘new in box’, then there will be instructions plus electrical wires/leads plus possibly rechargable batteries. The boards were pretty basic regards installation. There is the speaker connections (possibly marked ‘SP’), track power input, marked ‘TRK’, battery input marked ‘BAT’ and the two inputs for the bell/whislte reed switches.
What is it in the instructions that is confusing to you? The sound boards are OK, but really quite basic.Yes It does have the instructions Tim. I guess My question is does this go into the Locomotive itself or is it a stand alone system added to a single box car or something of that nature. I’m completly new to installing sound and thought this would be a good beginning projest even if it doesnt produce top quality sound. Thanks, Travis
Travis,
I really cannot see why a sound board fitted to a locomotive would be any different to one fitted to a trailing sound car. Both installations require the same inputs. I suggest reading the instructions a few times plus review any illustrations to orient yourself. They may be ‘old’ units (mid-1990s) but they are still quite reasonable and worth installing. Do not expect synchronised chuff and additional sounds. I would expect chuff, whistle and bell (possibly the sound of an air compressor and steam sounds at idle as well).
If this is like the PH Hobbies sound board a friend gave to me back in the 90’s, here is something to be aware of.
Along one side of the board are four small holes with solder pads underneath. These are to attach the four wires to activate the bell and horn/whistle. Unfortunately the holes are too small for all but the finest of wire. Perhaps the wires out of a telephone cord would work. If you try to drill the holes larger, the soldering pads will be destroyed. Don’t ask me how I know.
When you attach the first two wires either the bell or horn/whistle will work. When you attach the other two, nothing works. By only attaching only one of the ground wires, both the bell and horn/whistle will work.
I don’t want to rain on your parade, but the diesel sound was disappointing. As kids we used to blow into an empty Chicklet box to produce a buzzing sound. The Chicklet box produced a more realistic diesel sound than the PH Hobbies sound board I was given. I returned it to my friend.