ERR and lionel railsounds compatibility

In theory they are, but I confess that I haven't tried to use those old boards with the ERR stuff.  The serial data format hasn't changed for TMCC.  Why not consider the ERR Articulated Sound board, they're based on the RailSounds 5.0 design and will better sound quality than the old RS 2.5 boards.  Below is a sound clip of the articulated board.

ERR Steam RailSounds Articulated
Listen on Sound Cloud

Here's an installation manual from the now defunct Digital Dynamics about installing the RS 2.5 boards.

Digital Dynamics Railsounds 2.5 Installation Instructions.pdf

This diagram from that manual shows the connection for the serial data, it's the LCRU Data (VIO) connection, the TMCC serial data is ground referenced.

Thanks so much. I understand about the ERR board, but I really love the eerie mallet whistle. Between the ERR sound board and RS2.5 board is it a function of recording quality or the hardware? I was told the chips came from a RS4.0 setup, they use that board because its easier to install I guess. If it is a hardware issue introducing the audio quality, I wouldn't mind getting the newer TMCC backplane board with power supply and transplant the chips (with plcc) tool to the RS4.0 board.

One other question, I have an AC/DC commander, I had it connected to a pullmore motor (ac), as I understand it will do DC too. Do I just connect the DC motor to the brush terminals and leave the field terminal open?

Thanks again

The AC Commander will NOT do DC.  The DC version has different parts and different firmware loaded in the on-board uP.  If you look at the DC version, one obvious difference is it has the big bridge rectifier.

I have no idea where the chips on your RS2.5 board came from, that's not a well documented part of the hardware.  The RS 2.5 board hardware and the quality of the audio all figured into the audio quality you got.  I know that as the sound processing got better, even replacing the sound chips on a RS4 board with newer chips would improve the sound quality at times.

I figured. The instructions say both, but yea the BR missing is a dead giveaway, for haha, could I get a BR that fits and has the same specs and make it a dc commander? Or is there more to it?

Actually, there is a set of instructions for the AC Commander and another one for the DC Commander.  I don't know what the deal is with the AC/DC Commander manual, but when you go to order them, you'll see this.  Note they specify if it's an AC or DC motor version, there is no "universal" one you can buy.

I never heard of an AC/DC Commander, and I have all the documentation from the old ERR site as I was an big user of their products, there was no AC/DC Commander manual.  I'm guessing that was something that was mistakenly generated when 3rd Rail took over the ERR line, it's hard to imagine it's a real product knowing what I know about the boards. 

I agree, I just took the manual a bit too literally. 

I'm going to try the older boards with the RS4.0 chips for now. But if its really bad, I will go the RS5.0 motherboard with cards and swap out the chips. 

I wish there was a practical way to use the existing proto 1 sounds with a ERR commander.

In days of old there were a couple of options to graft the PS/1 top board to a TMCC board to do that very thing.  A couple different companies made them, Digital Dynamics and Train America Studios.  Interesting to note that neither of these companies are still in business.   Maybe it wasn't that profitable.  Truthfully, while it was an interesting idea, the actual implementation in both cases left something to be desired.  I can't really blame DD or TAS, they had to live within what would work with the PS/1 board.

Got an opportunity to grab a kline Virginian 2-6-6-6 for a steal, problem is a driver is locked up, thought of transplanting the speed control and sounds to the Y6b. Lionel electronics, what do you think? Maybe use the tender on an tmcc berkshire I got with no tender.

If you have K-Line cruise, moving the flywheel sensor and flywheel may be a challenge to get working.  Obviously, it would be useful to know more about the locomotive and the electronics you're trying to transplant.  Are you sure the electronics work?

K3799-0900S is the model. Looking online, no cruise. The seller says all sounds work and it learches when going fwd or rev to an immediate stop.

I figured I would pull the motor and test on the track. If it spins, then I'd continue to remove it. I can always add cruise from ERR. Probably add your super chuffer to control the smoke unit better.

It might be an easy fix to get it running.

Yea, I know, just don't know if I want a non scale engine..... I could use the tender on my 3315 erie berkshire and make it a virginian berk I guess. Was going to use the gutted body as a static display in my layout.

Then part of me wants to fix it and use it. Any common solutions you have seen to this issue?

I have a PRR t1 tender I was going to use on the berk, and maintain the wireless teather

Top suspects are the drive rods.  I hand rotate the flywheel until it is binding, then shake each drive rod, the tight one is usually near the issue.

Great, I was thinking it was jamming in the gears. But I will look at the rods first. You probably saved me an hour of needless disassembly.

Thanks

I look at the easy stuff first.

@Coalguy posted:

I have the opportunity to get a kit like the above picture with mallet sounds for a Y6b I'm converting, I have a ERR ac/dc commander I'm installing, question is, are these boards controllable via the serial signal like the err railsounds? Is is possible to use this railsounds board with the ERR commander? If not, can I simply remove the chips and put them into a board that IS compatible with the ERR commander?

 

 

Thanks!

Coalguy, I am using the same board in a Lionel 18000 PRR B6 switcher with an AC commander and it works perfect with no modifications.          j

@JohnActon posted:

Coalguy, I am using the same board in a Lionel 18000 PRR B6 switcher with an AC commander and it works perfect with no modifications.          j

Thanks!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

In days of old there were a couple of options to graft the PS/1 top board to a TMCC board to do that very thing.  A couple different companies made them, Digital Dynamics and Train America Studios.  Interesting to note that neither of these companies are still in business.   Maybe it wasn't that profitable.  Truthfully, while it was an interesting idea, the actual implementation in both cases left something to be desired.  I can't really blame DD or TAS, they had to live within what would work with the PS/1 board.

I have four locos 2 with DD "Equalizer" boards and 2 with TAS "U-CUB" boards and aside from not having cruise if you were happy with the PS1 sound it will be the same sounds all other functions are just like any TMCC  before cruise  (BC). I may someday upgrade to new ERR boards on at least two of these locos but will transplant the old boards into lesser locos. Wondering if I will ever run out of conventional locos to upgrade.   By the way there is a board which allows you to remove the PS1 board and add RS4 boards to both DD Equalizer board and the TAS U-CUB boards.  Your still missing cruise though.         j