I have an Athearn genesis GP38-2 with factory sound. When I turn the headlight on a high-pitched whine that sounds sort of like a dial-up tone comes through the speaker. I’m guessing its the DCC signal or something like a 60hz hum from the track power bleeding through and being amplified. It doesn’t happen when the light is off. Also it is only this locomotive. Anyone heard of this or know how to fix it? Thanks
is the light dimmable?
Someone goofed and included a steam loco dynamo whine on the diesel sound set?
–Randy
I think Randy has guessed it. It’s a sound file associated with the headlight lighting up, but on steamers the dynamo had to be spooled up first, and that appliance makes a geary whining sound. Steam decoders include it as part of the process of turning on the steamer’s headlight.
…or, you have a nostalgic decoder.
Hi jazzmaster48:
Welcome to the forums!!!
[#welcome]
I’m wondering if there is a stray strand of wire or some excess solder connecting the white headlight feed to one of the speaker wires. Pure speculation on my part, but if the problem is a stray connection I think you could prove that by turning the sound off and then turning the headlight on. If there is no sound then Randy is likely correct, the sound file is messed up. If you get the whine with the sound turned off then there is a stray connection. At least, that’s my theory. Maybe somebody can tell me if what I am suggesting is reasonable or not.
Dave
[quote user=“gregc”]
“is the light dimmable?”
Yes it is, and it gets quieter when the light is dimmed.
It’s possible, I pulled the shell off but didn’t poke around too much. I’m going to try disconnecting the light and see if it still does it.