Large Scale Central

Sound in the LGB articulated locomotive

General Discussion
#1

I have two LGB Sumpter Valley locomotives (20892) one early version (#251) and one late version (#250). The #251 has capacitors built in and when the power is shut off there is an overrun of the sound. #250 does not have capacitors and when the power is shut off the sound instantly goes dead. Has anyone ever put capacitors into this late version locomotive. I know there are some drawings for a capacitor setup but will that system work on the 20892 late version locomotive? Has anyone ever put this home grown system into a late version articulated LGB locomotive? How do you install it in the locomotive? That is enough questions for now.

James

#2

If I remember (Doubtful–old, you know), the cap pack plugged directly into the main circuit board in the loco. It’s been years since I gutted mine and turned it into batt/rc.
However, if so, check with Train-li to see if you can get the cap pack.
Mine is laying around here somewhere, but I’ll never find it. :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

http://www.train-li-usa.com/

#3

Capacitors store energy, so the overrun of sound is just the energy disapating.

#4

I believe all LGB sound systems had capacitor back up with their sound systems such that when the power went off they still sounded for at least a few seconds.

Just yesterday I had a # 250 apart tracing down a fault in the triggers for the Whistle & Bell. I had to apply power, via a battery R/C in the tender, and it did indeed still sound for about 60 seconds after the power was removed.

As an aside I still believe that LGB had the best sounding sound systems of all the regular makers. Maybe nowhere near as programmable as others but they surely sound great.

#5

Tony,
I agree with the sound in the mallet.

James,
the #22892 was the remake of the original #20892, which had analogue sound (non-MTS). The later #22892 was supplied from the factory with a decoder and as was customary for LGB, decoder equipped locomotives did not have capacitors as a constant voltage was supplied to the rails when under MTS control. To ‘initiate’ the sounds a small voltage has to be maintained to the rails when the loco was stationary when used as an analogue locomotive. I must assume that you are using the locomotive with analogue (non-MTS) power.

    My #20892 was the best locomotive I ever had and I enjoyed it very much.  I have never seen the decoder equipped circuit board from the later #22892 and so cannot comment on fitting a capacitor board.  An email to Massoth (U.S.) would be very beneficial to you as regards the info you seek.
#6

Hotwire it too 110 A/C you’ll get lots of sound and smoke for a brief period anyway?
:wink:

#7

I no longer purchase the capacitor board for the sound units. I connect four 1.2 volt rechargable cells in series and connect to the digital sound board. Being analogue I do not receive the full range of MTS sounds available, but am not hampered by the tendency for the capacitors to discharge within 30 or so seconds of removing power. This allows continuous low power running without having the sound fully discharge when operating voltage is less than the minimum to charge up the sound board. with a contained locomotive a provision would be needed to recharge the cells. The unit will also work with a 9 volt cell, but I prefer the 1.2 volt cells.