Low Volume on New Williams GP-30 With True Blast Plus

Yes, you gotta pull the shell and there is a volume pot on the board......

Thanks! Since I'm not particularly electrically inclined, are there readily available diagrams of the potentiometer ("pot") for the Williams "True Blast" locomotive?  

(Subsequent to your post, I have now learned that there are several types of potentiometers ("pots"), including rotary, linear, mechanical, and digital. I have also learned that a potentiometer is different from a rheostat, a device that I'm familiar with -- in fact, I just dimmed the lights!)

For some context, when we unboxed and tested the locomotive a few days ago, my guest, shortly after running the locomotive, commented on the low volume of the blast.  He then stopped the train, carefully inspected the top, the front, the back, and, the undersides of the locomotive, and announced:

       "Well there is no "pot"!"

He then abandoned trying to raise the volume, and, I again scoured the "manual".  As noted above, there is no information about increasing the volume of the horn in the minimal operator's manual.  

So, any further assistance with the potentiometer's location and operation would be helpful.  I presume, without knowing, that the pot is a rotary pot.  Thanks again!

haha, sure thing, i think i have one removed from a locomotive at home. i can take a pic for you later........

here ya go, i did one better with a stock photo of the sound unit.........

Awesome!  Thanks so much. Unfortunately, still no clue which one is the pot.  I presume the pot will have a "screw" like top (and all I need to do is overturn it to permanently silence it? )

Hi Dennis,

The problem was noted in a forum review and in a CTT Review from 2013.  In the latter review the writer explains where the pot is and how he tried to get at it.  He never says whether or not he was successful.  Maybe you will be.

John

Thanks John!  Very helpful.

Here is a quote from the above referenced CTT article:

"I did think that the sound level was a bit low. When our sample got under way with cars in tow, the natural noise of the train tended to blot out everything but the horn. Figuring there was a volume control on the circuit board, I removed the shell to take a look.

Note: The instructions say there are four screws to remove to lift the shell. You actually need to remove eight.

The circuit board with what looks like a volume control (and the letters VOL next to it) is in a difficult-to-reach spot.

A second circuit board situated next to the sound board is held in place with a screw and has a clear plastic protector (presumably to isolate the board from contact with metal).

I needed to slide a long, thin screwdriver by another board to make contact with the control, but with the other board in place I’m not convinced I actually turned the control. I hesitated to remove the second board from it's mounting."

_______________________________________

The author's description of the sound issue with the locomotive is very similar to mine, although the din of the train and my layout also significantly blot out the sound of the horn.   Finally, the author's described "fix" sounds like a dicey maneuver given the proximity of the boards.  ...Looks like a good "ask" for a close relative who is a whiz at building and repairing RC cars, and enjoys these types of challenges.

True blast at full volume is still very quiet and easily drowned out by track noise.  In a club setting, it is totally drowned out.

I have older Williams and the trublast is loud.

Does the Williams GP30 have a battery ?

If yes, can a BCR or YLB be installed in place of the battery ?

Thanks in advance !!!

@DMASSO posted:

I have older Williams and the trublast is loud.

I suspect the volume may be different for different locos even with True Blast.  This is the first time that I have had an issue, so, it may be a setting from original assembly of the piece.

Also, as to the preceding post by CB&Q Bill, I am not aware of any battery.  In this regard, the loco is brand new out of the box, and was just shipped by Mario's Trains late last week.  Of course, that wouldn't necessarily mean that any battery might not have an issue.  And, as usual, Mario's shipment arrived quickly, and without any damage to the outer box.

Sometimes with old Williams stock the volume POT gets a light film / corrosion on the contacts. Just open it up set it on the track in neutral, press button and using a non-metallic item turn the inside rectangle clockwise and test sound. If lower, turn counter clockwise. Some CRC cleaner may also help.

Thanks for the suggestion, MR_P.  We will give it a try.