I’m ready to install my Tomar Crossing lights and Rail Technologies GC Pro controllers on my double track main. I read the other thread about the Walthers setup and it looks like it will be popular but I don’t particularly care for their design of detecting train direction using DC from the track.
My dilemma is that I’d like to have a crossing bell sound module and the only thing that seems to be available is the ITTS HQ 300 model and I have played a sample of this recording and it does not sound very “HQ” to me. I hear wind noise and background noises and rumbles.
Is anyone using the HQ-300 sound modula and are you happy with it? Or are there better ones out there. I have a real crossing bell in my back yard so I could record one on my own. Is it worthwhile to get one of those little sound-byte recorders and make my own?
The ITTS HQ-300 is what I use, and I have found that the speaker makes a lot of difference in the quality of the sound. I use a 1.5 inch 8 Ohm speaker mounted in a PVC water pipe end cap.
Every ITTS module plays two different sounds – are you listening to the correct one for a grade crossing bell? When you have the speaker properly baffled, you can cut way down on the volume, which also helps a lot.
If that’s the same as the “ITT-BELL” that Logic Rail sells, it seems fine to me. I used a 1.1" speaker and enclosure (like you’d use in a loco), hidden beneath a bridge that’s next to the crossing. Maybe it’s my old ears, but I don’t hear any wind or other background noise.
I didn’t know the ITTS modules played two sounds. The only thing I’m judging quality by here are the .wav samples on their website and the many dealers who have links to the same sound file. Maybe the sample rate is much lower on the file and that’s where I’m hearing the wind/rumble sound from?
I’ll buy one and check it out. Does it play two completely different sounds or two versions of the same sound?