Battery Power, Radio Control and Sound Installations
Phoenix Sound 2K2 in a Bachmann 2-8-0 (Connie)
This article details a method used to convert a Bachmann 2-8-0 (Connie) steam locomotive from track power to on board: battery power, radio control, and sound using a 14.8 volt lithium-ion battery, an Aristo-Craft Revolution receiver, and a Phoenix Sound 2K2. The article appears long because it is detailed and includes lots of pictures. But …
Phoenix Sound P8 in a Bachmann K27
This article details a method used to install a Phoenix Sound P8 in a Battery Powered and Radio Controlled Bachmann K27. If the instructions from the previous article were followed, the tender frame should look like the following picture, except there will be a battery pack on the bottom right corner. Phoenix Sound provides a …
Phoenix Sound P8 in a USA Trains GP-9
27 August 2020 Be aware that some of the USA Trains locomotive project articles that I posted years ago are somewhat out of date. The Crest Revolution receivers at that time all had Pulse Width Control for the output power. The voltage spikes in PWC would not let the light bulbs work properly in some …
Phoenix Sound P8 in an Aristo-Craft FA-1
UPDATED 30 DECEMBER 2012 Sound really adds an extra level of realism and enjoyment to any locomotive. This article details a method used to add a Phoenix Sound P8 to a battery powered and radio controlled, Aristo-Craft FA-1. The article may appear long because it detailed and includes lots of pictures. But if you take …
Phoenix Sound P8 in an Aristo-Craft GP-40
UPDATED 30 DECEMBER 2012 Sound really adds an extra level of realism and enjoyment to any locomotive. This article details a method used to add a Phoenix Sound P8 to a battery powered and radio controlled, Aristo-Craft GP-40. The article may appear long because it detailed and includes lots of pictures. But if you take …
Phoenix Sound P8 Wiring Tips
Sound really adds an extra level of realism and enjoyment to any locomotive. This article shows a number of methods of wiring a Phoenix Sound P8 to a Revolution receiver. The wiring suggestions explained are just a general guide. For detailed instructions on how to install a sound board in a specific locomotive, refer to …
Revolution Sound in a Bachmann 4-6-0 (Annie)
UPDATED DECEMBER 2019 The wiring instructions for the battery switch have been corrected. Initially connecting the Revolution receiver with Steam Sounds to the Bachmann sound connector produced erratic chuff sounds at slow speed. Instead the wiring was disconnected and Revolution receiver allowed to generate the chuff rhythm by motor voltage. This provided a clean chuff sound and simplified the …
Revolution Sound in an Aristo-Craft GP-40
Sound really adds an extra level of realism and enjoyment to any locomotive. This article details an easy method used to add a Revolution receiver with sound in a Battery Powered and Radio Controlled Aristo-Craft GP-40. Although a GP-40 was used for this installation, the instructions could be used as a guide to install a …
Revolution Sound in an Aristo-Craft Pacific
This article details the conversion of an Aristo-Craft Pacific from track power to on-board: battery power, radio control, and sound using a lithium-ion battery and Revolution receiver with steam sounds. If the smoke unit is not going to be used, an Aristo-Craft lithium-ion battery or Cordless Renovations RCS-1800 would be suitable. If the smoke unit …
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Hi George!
I have never worked on a Bachmann Shay. I heard squeezing the batteries in the tender(s) can be difficult.
You might be able to get the needed information on Large Scale Central.
Sorry I could not be of more help.
Hi ,i just wamt to say ur website was very helpful,but I have one question .I want to installed a revolution receiver and a p8 sound board in dc ready Bachmann 3truck shay ,if y have any helpful tips and pictures on how to do the install I would gladly appreciated, please feel free to send me and email in how to do it ,thank you very much
Hello,
First of all, I have to say thank you for a great and very helpful website! I am in the process of installing a Revolution onboard 57002S receiver with battery power and a Phoenix P8 soundboard in an Aristocrat SD45. Are the detailed install instructions for the GP40 accurate for an install in the SD45?
Thanks!
Scott McKently
Hi Scott!
Every locomotive installation is slightly different from the others. The articles of similar locomotives can be used as a guide however.
Some of the articles are also somewhat out of date. The GP-9 is the best example. The Revolution receivers at that time all had Pulse Width Control for the output power. The voltage spikes in PWC would not let the GP-9 lights work properly. As I result I removed the USA Trains main circuit board and headlight circuit boards and replaced the headlight and number board lights with LEDs. Now that new Revolution receivers have Linear DC power output, this is no longer required.
The Super Socket I built at that time was also rather wide to accommodate all the P8 wiring. . Now I make a separate small circuit for the six Revolution accessory wires and P8 sound wires. This circuit board also has small components that replace the Phoenix sound volume switch and allows the volume to be adjusted on the fly using the Revolution throttle.