Best Upgrade kit for Older 3rd Rail Steam locomotives

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'm assuming they've found wherever the effects are triggered and patched the code.  That's certainly possible, we have the information of how to change sounds.  One way to avoid further mods to the DCS code would be to code a unique tone for an effect and then capture it with a notch filter.  If the tone was ultrasonic, it wouldn't be heard, but our electronics could sense it.  I hasten to say, I don't know if this is even practical, I have no idea what limitations are on the sound outputs.

Interesting...makes sense... Just curious, but I was digging through old threads and came up to one where you mentiioned coming out with your own board, that does alot of cool things, including whistle steam and blow down...

Are you still working on this board, and bringing your product to the market? I want one for sure!

Great work btw... 

David

I have done some work, but it's a long way from finished.  I would be building on the code that was released for the ERR Sound Converter board, so my code would be available under the terms of the GNU General Public License.  If I use the same processor, I can modify the code and build a board that would have digital outputs to accomplish the functions.

Too many projects, too little time!

Hey that's cool... Good things take time... and nothing good ever comes easy... keep up the good work.

Question... being as you said the Lionel RCMC can only be programmed by Lionel for driver size, gear ratio etc... would it be a good option for lets say, using the RCMS from the ATSF 4-8-4 3751, and then using it in a 2900 class 3rd Rail Northern being as they had the same driver size? 

And with the same thing in Mind... being as Lionel never made a PRR Q2 Duplex 4-4-6-4... , the RCMC wouldn't work in that case, they don't have a board for 4-4-6-4?

Does that sound about right? In which case, PS3 would be the only logical choice here, orr DCC?

I have sound boards, signal boards, etc. all in various stages of development.  I just can never find the time to get to them.  Some silly person told me I'd be bored after I retired.  Well, it's been over ten years, I'm still waiting for the boredom!

It's certainly possible to re-task the RCMC for another locomotive, it doesn't know you're doing that.

An RCMC with work in any engine with a DC motor that it will fit in. It just won't necessarly run at the same speed as other Legacy engines. If you are not going to add additional smoke effects you would be better off with an RCDR (radio board) and BEMC (back emf motor driver) which don't require dealing with adding a tach sensor to the motor.

If wanted specific smoke effects like blow down you would want to order one for an engine that already has that features. Features are programed at the factory just like the speed curve.

Pete

HAHA! That'a boy Gunrunnerjohn! Forget a boring retirement... you've got all the cool Dr Frankenstein projects for trains, no time for boredom is right!

Good to know... so the RCMC is still an option then... interesting...  time for more research!

@Norton Good to know... so, does it matter if the board you use, just don't expect to lash it up with another Legacy engine... Thanks pete... good to know... man, you guys are the best...

Thank you both!