I accidentally ran my Lionel AC Locomotive ( RailSounds) with the track wired to the DC terminals Instead of the AC for about an hour. I re- wired the setup, and the train runs fine. Is it possible I fried the RailSounds circuit card? I have a very basic transformer with no button for the whistle, and no 5906 button with which to check out the system.
Thanks
Probably not a problem, if they ran for an hour that way. Fire them up and see what happens!
I’m not positive about this, but it has been my understanding that the circuit boards inside convert the track power to DC anyway. Any can motored engine must have DC to run, and diodes and or rectifiers are included in the circuits. The AC is really only needed to allow for a bias to run the whistle in one direction, and the bell in the other. I don’t think you hurt it with DC. Does it still make sounds?
I have no 5906 button (yet) and my transformer has no whistle button. However, I am able to get whistle and bell sounds by stopping the engine and then restarting quickly. I do not get any RailSounds (chuffing, crew talk, squealing brakes, etc.). Do I need the 5906 button to activate RailSounds, or have I fried the RailSounds circuit card?
Thanks
You need to check whether full Railsounds is on. There should be a switch somewhere on the engine which can be toggled. In SignalSounds mode all you get is the whistle and bell. In RailSounds mode you get all the extra sounds. Usually they’re automatic; chuffing should start when engine moves, steam sounds should always be there in the background, etc.
I cannot find a switch on the tender to put the system in RailSounds mode. Will the 5906 whistle/bell button put the system in RailSounds mode? The directions from Lionel have been less than helpful.
Check for a volume control knob/screw. I don’t know if RS volume is independent of whistle and bell but it’s worth a shot.
I’ve played with the volume control on the tender. I’ve only been able to get the whistle and the bell to sound - nothing else. My understanding is that the whistle/bell controller/switch (5906) adds a DC voltage riding on the AC. My transformer has no switch. Is it possible that this switch is necessary to activate RailSounds?
Nope…the switch does nothing unless you pu***he button on it. Railsounds boards really don’t like DC, so it’s entirely possible that you fried it.
I hope that’s not the case! What’s the best place to find a replacement board?