Large Scale Central

Phoenix sound fading

Electronics Power and Sound
#1
I have a number of Phoenix sound boards in engines, but never had this happen. I have a P11 in one of my SD 45s, I put it on the track and start up, and it works fine, but over one large loop of my layout it slowly fades to nothing.  Later if I put it back on the track it will do the same thing again.  I have it apart, and checked all connections, and they are all solid.  I moved, and the engine was not run for over a year, and I noticed that the battery appears to not support any sound when it is stopped.  Is it necessary for the battery to have a charge for normal operation also? That is the only thing I can come up with.
 
Ideas while I still have it apart on the bench.
Paul
#2

I agree - replace the battery. It will sound good at first, or at .high speed but if there isn’t enough juice available at your running speed it will fade off as the battery dies again.

#3

If you go down to your local Wally world or Kmart you can get a replacement cordless phone battery that will fit, Just make sure you check the plug wiring as they are usually wired backwards,. Also a Interstate battery dealer will have direct replacement Battery’s at a much better price then Sound company.

#4

Thanks guys, that sounds like what I have been thinking.

Nick, I do have an interstate battery place here, I will check with them.

Paul

#5

I disagree, the battery only does one thing; it’s capacity discharges at the point where your track power dissipates. So, when your operating at full speed the P-11 draws it’s current from the track power and not the battery, then when your track power drops below 6 volts (or your loco comes to s stop) the battery from the P-11 kicks in to power the sound card. So, if your loco is operating at full speed (13 volts or so) without hesitation and the P-11 battery is charging off of track power and not powering the sound card, then that leads me to believe that you don’t have the P-11 installed correctly!

Rick Isard

Cordless Renovations, LLC

RCS America

#6

Rick, all I can say to that is that the P11 operated correctly for over two years. Full sound with the engine running at any speed. Stop the engine, idle sound continues. I could immediately pick up the engine, and take it back into my garage and the sound was still running. That is what I what I would expect it to do. It don’t do that now.

#7

I seem to remember that if the battery is damaged/bad, the extra current drain from the charging circuit causes erratic operation of the Phoenix.

I also seem to remember that if you disconnect the battery, then over 3.8 or so volts, the system will work fine with the battery disconnected.

Rick sort of said this “if the loco … 13 volts … and the … battery is charging…”

I think there’s this case, where the effective short circuit of the battery drawing excessive current… but I’m not 100% on this… I believe I have seen it but …

Anyway, clearly the battery is not charged… almost always the battery needs replacing and the charging circuit is fine.

Greg

#8

I have a P8 that does the same thing, have never been able to figure it out. Mine doesn’t fade away to nothing but it fades down to about 25% volume.

For you I agree with the others, change the battery first it’s cheap and easy and probly needs done.

Terry

#9

Sorry for the late reply, we got hit by the storm.

Paul, I thought this was a new P-11., but yes; replace the battery and see if the problem continues. Usually Nimh packs last 500 - 600 cycles, but since this battery is in the charge state most of the time, it’s hard to determine the life span of the battery. I guess it’s two years?

Greg, could be, hard to determine? I’ve only installed a hand full of the P-11 systems not using their battery plug-in, I upgraded the cells to Sanyo at 1000 milliamps and never ran across this problem. I think they buy their packs in bulk from Interstate?

Rick Isard

Cordless Renovations, LLC

RCS America

#10

I have a battery ordered. When it comes I will let you know. Everyone has been very helpful here. I didn’t know what to replace it with.

I have a dead Sierra battery, does anyone know an acceptable replacement for that.

Thanks

Paul

#11

Well, Problem solved. I installed a new battery, ran my engine for about 15 minutes, the power did not fade at all, and when I turned off the power, the sound continued for 30 seconds or so. I guess that was the problem.

Thanks for all the help.

#12

Great to hear. Now remember that the battery won’t charge below a certain track voltage, so if you are running it really slowly, it might discharge again.

Greg

#13

Thanks Greg. I will remember that. I usually don’t run them real slow, so it should not be a problem.

#14

I just recently found the opposite. 96 board, re-installed radio/battery, every stinking time you turn it up it goes full volume and you have to crank it down.

Geez.

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