OK, I finally got the horn to work on the Sante Fe 212. Now I see why Proto 2 and others are around. The thing was described to me as a " squawk " and man that about hits the nail on the head! Brand new battery, all contacts clean, etc, and still, it’s just a burp. However, it’s what was available back then and I respect the technology of the day. Thanks again to all that helped, especially Bob. Jake
Jake, you say “burp”. Does that mean that it makes a short sound and then stops? It should sound continuously (if unpleasantly) while the cell is connected. If not, it may be time to try the adjustment I described earlier–very carefully.
No, it’s a continuous sound, as poor as it is. What does the screw adjustment do exactly? Thanks, Jake
What’s inside is a coil that attracts a metal diaphragm. As it pulls the center of the diaphragm closer it opens a contact, which disconnects the coil, allowing the diaphragm to start to return to its rest position, whereupon the contact closes again, once again pulling on the diaphragm, and so on. It is the rapid back-and-forth motion of the diaphragm that makes all the noise. The screw adjusts the contact. If it is too far one way, the contact never opens; too far the other way and it never closes. You can affect the sound a little with it. If you’re careful, you might get something less obnoxious out of it.
Thanks Bob, I played with it some, I think I have about all she’s gonna give me! Jake
Another option is Williams use to and I think not guarantee that they sell a electronic horn with bell module and speaker ( would fit in dummy if you have ) and it sounds a lot better not as good as proto 2 or Lionel but if you ever heard Williams diesels its the same board and they sell for about $20.00 I believe.
What they really are is 1950 bicycle horns, but back then it was a horn that worked.
Wow, lots of kids hit by cars back then I bet! Jake
RT, where would one buy that Williams horn? Thanks, Jake
Jake,
Talk to Marty at Ma & Pa Junction http://www.mapajunction.com/index.php
Explore the Williams section of the Bachmann website, specifically
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?page=1&act=viewCat&catId=371
Check out their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sub-section.