Using Station Sounds with ERR Commander

Use the search function: Roll Your Own Station Sounds Diner

I've done several of them, and I have several more waiting in the wings.  I use a Lionel motherboard and the standard TMCC/RailSounds boards to do mine.

Thanks John.

I figured something like that was floating around here somewhere.

Though, I was curious if it was possible using an ERR mini commander (likely the EX model), and moreso when I see those black plugs to hook into the motherboard from the track power (at least how I see in the photos) since, unlike you, I don't have a parts lot on hand for things like those plugs. I have found the mother board, R2LC, sound board, and 691RSPRA00 power board on Lionel's site, but not the little things like that. I thought the antenna and chuff sensor from ERR would work just fine.

Do you have a wiring diagram on hand? How much real estate did the motherboard take up? I had a crazy idea to fit one of these in a 9500-series passenger car, too.

I don't actually have a wiring diagram, I just sort of "follow my nose" as I've worked with the boards so many times I know where things are connected.  I also now have the crimp tool and all the connectors to fabricate any cable I need, makes these types of jobs go much more smoothly.   Any TMCC board that has serial output capability should work in this environment, my next ones will probably get done using the ERR RCDR and the powered RailSounds Motherboard.  Those should be compact enough to fit in most any passenger car.  I put them in the baggage car as that gives me plenty of room for the upgrade.

Thanks. Honestly, those two boards look much more compact and less expensive than using the other three ones to operate the one sound chip. I've already had experience with the powered RailSounds motherboard in my Mikado upgrade anyways.

If I run into trouble with the RCDR (especially finding which wire goes where), I'll come back to this topic. I found it on Lionel's site, and chose the S08 coded version.

Now I just gotta work on opening my 9500-series baggage car...which is not fun.

RCDR cheat sheet.

If you're using that RailSounds motherboard, does it need an AC hot lead to it like it would if connected to a standard ERR Cruise Commander? I see the serial data and ground leads going to it, but not the hot.

Yes, it gets both AC feeds.  G

Just download the older ERR RailSounds Commander document and check the differences here.

Electric RR RS4 railsounds commander

Thomas, I have a virtually complete StationSounds sound package available, which includes the motherboard, R2LC, RailSounds power supply, RailSounds audio board, volume control pot, PRG/RUN switch and speaker. It's fully functional. About the only thing not included is the truck sensor.

Shoot me a note (address in profile) if you have any interest.

TRW

Keep in mind that the actual SS Diner motherboard is fairly wide.  I tried to use that in my first one, and it was too wide, so I had to change horses.  It fits fine in the car it was designed for, but maybe not in what you want to install it in.

I contacted Todd about its dimensions - 4.625" long, 1.25" wide, and 1.625" tall. My car has a good 2" width, and more than enough length in the baggage car. The only possible issue might be its height with all 4 boards put together.

I suppose I COULD mount it sideways and lay it on foam tape for protection.