@The TrainBoard posted:Can you please give us a link, Id like to purchase something that stores and plays sounds, Gary
Sure:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Here's a pic of the package I bought:
Inset at the bottom right of the pic is the circuit board (showing the control buttons and the micro SD card slot), the other side of which also appears at the top left, connected to the other components. Directly below that is the white hard-shell speaker, which is just above the white domed motion sensor. The included black battery case (3 AAA or AA batteries, I believe) is at the top right.
There are a whole lot of recordable audio players out there (many for use in DIY audio greeting cards), some quite a bit cheaper than this bundle, but I selected this package primarily for its inclusion of the hard-shell speaker, which I was able to bury in the foam under the sheet of paper-backed grass roll I'd used as a surface layer for my layout, without worrying about having to protect it from damage (I *did* throw some aluminum screening across the speaker's 'pit' as an additional precaution, though). I also omitted using the battery pack, instead plugging a micro USB cable into the board and running it to a USB hub connected to line power (it turns on and off with the rest of the layout main power).
To prevent passing trains from activating the motion sensor, I fitted it into an empty section of caulk tube (decorated as a water supply tank/hot tub!), with a thin film of translucent used packing tape over the top to conceal the sensor (I considered disguising it as a roof vent instead, but wasn't sure if painting it would interfere with the sensing, and needed it to be near the camping scene, rather than on a building!). The 'hot tub' is the only visible evidence of the installation, with all other components and wiring secured under the layout or buried into the surface.
The package comes with a single audio file on the board, but you can use a micro USB cable to plug the board into your computer, and download a limited number of additional/replacement files into the on-board memory. You could also use a separate micro SD card (not included) in the slot on the board to add virtually unlimited capacity for audio files. I ended up with eight camping-related audio files that all fit comfortably in the on-board memory, so I didn't need to go that far.
The bottom line is that I ended up with an audio feature that activates any time someone approaches or passes that corner -- it still manages to catch me by surprise sometimes! The sound files are consistent with the 'natural' corner of the layout, so succeed in adding a bit more 'realism' to the scene, all at a modest cost in parts and effort. I think a similar installation could be customized to add an audible component to almost any scene, and provide a bit of unexpected enjoyment and verisimilitude for your visitors! Good luck!
