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MikeK
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 Posted - June 18 2014 : 1:25:54 PM
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I'm upgrading crossings, taking Bachmann and other crossings and making them more realistic. Adding blinking lites, powered gates, and bells. The blinking lites are the easiest. Powering the gates is a challenge, think I'm going to use servos powered by 555 chips. What I have not found is a reasonable bell sound module. The Bachmann mechanical one was awful, more motor sound than bell. Want to go electronic. Not DCC. The only module I have found is out of Canada, with a minimum purchase, and expensive UPS fees. There has to be a reasonably priced unit out there somewhere.
If anyone knows of bell modules, let me know, I will need 4 or more.
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Posted - June 18 2014 : 8:29:33 PM
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| Sounds like you're on to something that could be pretty cool. Once you get that idea in your head of what you want it to sound like, well . . . that's gonna make it a serious quest. I'm thinkin' .mp3 bell through a mini speaker at each crossing; maybe coordinated via computer? Something I remind myself of at times is the vintage of the "toy" [device] and is it working optimally? Presently, I'm running a couple of the older locomotives with metal gears and they are real noisy, but some times I can get into the noise they make; much the way some one with a hot Camaro might get into the purr. Whatever. Hey, it'd be fun to see a video of your completed crossings in action.
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Posted - June 19 2014 : 01:12:42 AM
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quote:I'm upgrading crossings, taking Bachmann and other crossings and making them more realistic. Adding blinking lites, powered gates, and bells. The blinking lites are the easiest. Powering the gates is a challenge, think I'm going to use servos powered by 555 chips. What I have not found is a reasonable bell sound module. The Bachmann mechanical one was awful, more motor sound than bell. Want to go electronic. Not DCC. The only module I have found is out of Canada, with a minimum purchase, and expensive UPS fees. There has to be a reasonably priced unit out there somewhere.
If anyone knows of bell modules, let me know, I will need 4 or more.
Originally posted by MikeKÂ -Â June 18 2014Â :Â 1:25:54 PM
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MR had an article using a sound-recorder IC to play back little sound loops like this. This was a long time ago when they had content.
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Posted - June 19 2014 : 01:26:14 AM
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quote:...This was a long time ago when they had content.
Originally posted by Autobus Prime - June 19 2014 : 01:12:42 AM
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ELL-OH-ELL!!!
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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MikeK
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Posted - June 19 2014 : 6:35:48 PM
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| There are 555 chip circuits that claim to produce the bell sound. I may have to build some on my breadboard. Once I get it right, I'm gonna make a bunch.
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Posted - July 06 2014 : 7:34:01 PM
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When you mentioned Bachmann's mechanical bell, you mean this?
I agree, that crossing sure was awful. The unrealistic bell sound with loud motor noise and both lights just flashing on and off like strobes was very unrealistic. TYCO's version from 1980 was much better (no gate, but it had a pressure-operated wind-up bell and the lights would actually flash alternately!)
Oh, and do you mean you're going to try and upgrade those "operating crossing gate" accessories, like the Bachmann and TYCO ones? I actually plan to install flashing lights in my TYCO crossing gate. As for a controller for the lights, I would look into Logic Rail Tech's Grade Crossing Pro. It works with both DC and DCC, and I plan to get some of these for crossings I will install working signals at.
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Posted - July 06 2014 : 9:54:35 PM
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I saw a video of that crossing on YT & it does sound bad 
What I want for my Tyco crossing is a 2nd crossing signal
Maybe the cheaper version signal that Tyco made later
That one had both lights flash when train passed it 
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MikeK
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Posted - July 26 2014 : 08:40:57 AM
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My latest crossing, using a Fowler mechanism. I am going to change the track sensors to phototransistors, the gravity switches can't sense a light car.
I'm working on crossings that lay flat on the table and will accept my Bachmann E-Z track.
I will try to attach a photobucket link to show the crossing in action. [URL=http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa411/LZ100/Fowlercrossingedited.mp4] 
Edited by - MikeK on July 26 2014 09:07:06 AM
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Posted - July 26 2014 : 10:08:10 AM
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For my super upgraded Tyco crossing I just used some speakers and recorded an actual crossing bell, made that into a 10 minute loop and put it on a Chinese knock off I pod ( I call it a chi-pod) 
my system is a bit "simpler" the flashers are just hooked up to a switch to activate and the sound system is separate. I just push play on the "chi-pod" then flip the switch
EDIT: here's a vid of the crossing
just me Ray... and just because I have Tyco doesn't mean I am not a model railroader
Edited by - rgcw5 on July 26 2014 10:23:10 AM
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Posted - July 26 2014 : 11:24:26 PM
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| Thanks for the video Ray. That set-up looks and sounds great!
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Posted - July 26 2014 : 11:48:02 PM
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quote:Thanks for the video Ray. That set-up looks and sounds great!
Originally posted by Barry - July 26 2014 : 11:24:26 PM
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yeah its great
Now you needs to sync them up so they flash at the same time just like the real ones do 
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Posted - July 27 2014 : 3:11:40 PM
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Actually buss, out here they don't flash in sync, hence the adjustments. Even though the sound is separate if I do it right ( sound first then flip the light switch) it looks quite realistic for most California based grade crossings.
just me Ray... and just because I have Tyco doesn't mean I am not a model railroader
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MikeK
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Posted - July 28 2014 : 11:36:03 AM
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There are greeting card recorders on E-bay for less than $5, and good bell recordings on Google. I plan to power the recorder with a cheap power and record the bell sound off the computer. I may be able to get the recorder to play in a loop, or just make a recording as long as possible.
This should give better sound cheaper than the 'small bell sound' module.
The greeting card recorders can be used for other sounds, like "All aboard" or dishes clattering in a diner, bar sounds in a club car, etc. Triggered by a mechanical tab that makes an electrical contact, it could be automated. It would be interesting to see if the card board could be fitted into a car, attached to the lighting circuit, put on a timer..... or operated by an IR photocell triggered by a trackside IR bulb....this could get fancy.
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Posted - July 28 2014 : 1:28:46 PM
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I love the creativity of model railroaders. You guys are an inspiration! Although I haven't tried these, I've thought about using air freshener timers and motion sensors in some fashion. All these inexpensive consumer convenience devices should be good for something!
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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Posted - August 01 2014 : 11:38:09 AM
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well, while thumbing through a 2006 MR magazine, I found a link to a customizable sound unit, using SD cards so you can change them easily. Turns out the company is now by another name, and Tony's Trains did an online eval of this Dream Player sound unit in 2013.
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/2013/041713.htm
It's not cheap at $80 listed in the 2006 mag, but with what it can do, and multiple sounds, might be worth it.
And, while at the train shop yesterday, what does the boss show me? A Faller sound unit, makes 5 different bell sounds, a Glockengelaut, very old-style European sounding. Just hooks up to a spare power pack, and you can wire it for 5 different outputs to different buildings, stations, etc. ( If you're into Euro bells ). See pictures below :
/tyco/forum/uploaded/amc_gremlin_gt/20140801113605_Case_carry_Walmart 006.jpg /tyco/forum/uploaded/amc_gremlin_gt/20140801113626_Case_carry_Walmart 007.jpg
I believe Faller also makes one with American bell sounds, too. Just a couple options you can look into. 
Jerry in VA
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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