Greg Elmassian
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Carlsbad (San Diego), CA
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 | | 05/06/2008 2:41 PM |
| I just put a 4" diameter speaker in my tender yesterday. Had to grind off a bit of the frame, but wow... I'll post a picture this weekend, it's a HUGE speaker, but it just fit. (well, there was a 15 minute span of cursing) I think I will have to cut a large hole in the tender bottom, those few drilled holes are just not doing it, blocking too much sound.
Regards, Greg | |
Be sure to visit my site, lots of technical tips and modifications, and you can search for topics and key words.
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pimanjc
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Jim Carter - Wichita, KS
Foreman
Posts:450
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| | 05/09/2008 8:06 PM |
| As seen in the picture above, I installed a QSI/Gwire/Magnum in the K-4. After several frustrating test runs and multiple calls to Dave G., Bob G., and Greg E.,I did an AMP test on the K4 [at Dave's suggestion].
With the loco tied to a section of track, the K4 was connected to an Aristo TE w/ 24v gel cell batteries. Power was ramped up until wheel slip began. It required 4A to start wheel slip. Immediately, the amps would drop to 2A while slipping. Unfortunately, the QSI is only rated for 2.5A. This would explain why the loco was unable to start while on a grade with a load.
I will next try out an RCS unit and Phoenix 2k2 installed sequentially. Dave Goodson has been very helpful in all aspects of the prospective new install. My biggest concern is range with the brass tender and loco.
JimC. | |
"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
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nick s.
1st Class Member
Upstate NY
Conductor
Posts:647
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| | 05/10/2008 7:47 AM |
| Jim, very odd the yours pulls that much in amps, i did a full slip test on 3 of mine today to confirm this and the worst of the 3 was about an amp and three quarters, maybe something is wrong with the motor? i read here sometime back that someone had a problem with the electric motor and had cliff at accucraft send a new one and all was well after that. i would give cliff a call and ask him before you rip out the qsi....
Nick... | | | |
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pimanjc
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Jim Carter - Wichita, KS
Foreman
Posts:450
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| | 05/11/2008 5:52 PM |
| Today I installed the RCS 9amp unit in the tender of the K-4.
It's circling the layout now.
I Coiled the antenna in a circle under the coal load. Reception is a little shorter than with the antenna lying on top of the tender. Next trial is to connect the antenna to one side of the tender truck, using the rails for the antenna.
With this setup, it will dead start the 12 cars from standing on the 5% grade, 12ft curve. It would not do that before. Acceleration is very smooth and low speed control is excellent. Top speed with the 18.5V li-on battery used was adequate. Although these locos were designed to run fast, on my layout with its grades and curves, a scale 40-50mph should be about max.
The next stage will be to install the 2k2 Phoenix sound card and a relocated speaker [on order from Jon Bleise]. I will post pictures of the new install when completed.
My conclusion on the QSI is that its rating of 2.5A was just insufficient for the K4 under load.
JimC. | |
"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
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pimanjc
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Jim Carter - Wichita, KS
Foreman
Posts:450
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| | 05/14/2008 6:56 PM |
| Question for NickS or others:
When you put the duct tape roll around the speaker as shown in the picture, did you enclose the top as well?
Thanks,
JimC. | |
"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
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nick s.
1st Class Member
Upstate NY
Conductor
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| | 05/14/2008 7:28 PM |
| Jim,
on one of them i did i enclosed completly the top with duct tape and got a lot of bass but a little distorted so i played with the tape till i got a even sound with a desent amount of bass, so i would say play with the amount of tape your putting over the top till it sounds good to you.  on the other hand the one that i just put the tube around and left the top open was a vast inprovement over having no tube at all...
Nick.. | | | |
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nick s.
1st Class Member
Upstate NY
Conductor
Posts:647
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| | 05/14/2008 7:36 PM |
| | Also im going to try what Greg is going to do and cut the opening in the speaker grill to let more sound out as the holes are really tiny. Ray did this on my pacific and mikado and the sound is fantastic | | | |
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Greg Elmassian
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Carlsbad (San Diego), CA
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pimanjc
1st Class Member
Jim Carter - Wichita, KS
Foreman
Posts:450
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| | 05/16/2008 1:40 PM |
| The 3.5in. speaker that was mounted in the original location was removed and a 2in. JonBliese speaker was installed as shown below.
A speaker attachment plate was made of plastic for the front of the tender. This will allow the sound to seem to come from the loco a little beter. The change to front mount will also free up needed space at the rear of the tender for batteries and RC/sound equipment.
Installed speaker. The screws still need to be painted.
Speaker shown with foam cup enclosure and battery pack in place.
Tests demonstrated that the best sound quality was without using the cup, with the tender buttoned up. The sound from this two inch speaker is almost as good as the 3.5in. first installation shown in previous pictures.
BTW, I would like to publicly thank Jon for the great customer service he gave me.
JimC. | |
"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
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Greg Elmassian
1st Class Member
Carlsbad (San Diego), CA
Engineer
Posts:1225
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| | 05/16/2008 9:09 PM |
| Good guy and nice speakers, have 4 running in a Mallet!
Regards, Greg | |
Be sure to visit my site, lots of technical tips and modifications, and you can search for topics and key words.
Click here for Greg's web site | |
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nick s.
1st Class Member
Upstate NY
Conductor
Posts:647
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| | 05/21/2008 2:28 PM |
| 4 running in one locomotive? what the hell..... you trying to make it sound real or what or are they just for weight..... he he he
Nick.... | | | |
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wchasr
1st Class Member
Western NY
Foreman
Posts:383
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| | 05/22/2008 6:31 AM |
| Posted By nick s. on 05/21/2008 2:28 PM 4 running in one locomotive? what the hell..... you trying to make it sound real or what " border=0> or are they just for weight..... " border=0> he he he Nick....
Naw! All those speakers are for Magnet traction! Like the old AFX slot cars and Lionel's used too! 
Chas | | | |
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nick s.
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Upstate NY
Conductor
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| | 05/22/2008 10:03 AM |
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Nick... | | | |
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Greg Elmassian
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Carlsbad (San Diego), CA
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Posts:1225
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pimanjc
1st Class Member
Jim Carter - Wichita, KS
Foreman
Posts:450
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| | 05/31/2008 9:05 PM |
| After first trying a QSI/Gwire unit in the K-4,
eventually, after some other trials, installed an Aristo TE w/ Phoenix 2k2 sound board, and 4200mah/19.2v NIMH batteries in the tender. Although the reception is less than I am used to getting with a TE trail car ⎾ft vs 80ft], it is a distance I can work with. Compared to other systems tried, I lost independant whistle/bell control, but the Phoenix does a good job as set up for automatic operation.
To remove the shell from the tender, 10 screws had to be removed. I also replaced the oversized [guage-1?] Accucraft coupler with an Aristo coupler. the pivoting design of the ACC coupler would consistantly disconnect with the Aristo couplers on my Streamliners.
The Phoenix 2k2 was installed. Remember that I rewired the loco/tender previously to accomodate the QSI [DCC] board with its added capabilities. Note the wiring block so I didn't have to get so many connections in the tiny terminals of the 2k2. The switch at the top is the Phoenix volume switch.
Next the TE was connected. Note the nylon screws to hold it above the Phoenix. The TE is wider than the lip on the base of the tender shell, so it is placed into the tender shell, followed by the installation of the shell onto the chassis. The switch on the right is a DPDT battery/track power selection switch.
TE with shell in place.
The coal load was lifted from its tray and the antenna was coiled under the load.
Finally, the batteries were installed. The pack connects with tamika [sp] plug and is removable for charging.
More pictures to follow.
JimC. | |
"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
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pimanjc
1st Class Member
Jim Carter - Wichita, KS
Foreman
Posts:450
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| | 06/16/2008 6:37 PM |
| Today, I built an operational display stand for the K4. It will be used for part of the WAGRS display ath HAGRS.
JimC. | |
"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
Charter Member of the Roundhouse Irregulars | |
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pimanjc
1st Class Member
Jim Carter - Wichita, KS
Foreman
Posts:450
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| | 06/28/2008 3:02 PM |
| Video: Accucraft K-4 BenchTest 1.38.1,
The display stand was used at HAGRS2008, to give an operational, but static exhibit. The video attached is operations of the Accucraft K-4 with Phoenix 2k2 sound, installed Aristo SD-45 smoke unit, and Aristo trackside TE - installed in the tender, as illustrated in previous posts in this thread.
In case the embedding doesn't work, or stalls during streaming from here,the YOUTUBE URL is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWtLKHguvM8
The video also can be accessed under videos by "pimanjc" on YOUTUBE.
JimC. | |
"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
Charter Member of the Roundhouse Irregulars | |
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