F40PH Diesel Operating Manual
8
SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS
ProtoSounds is now equipped with operator controlled squeaking brake sounds. Once
activated, this easy to use feature plays the sound of squeaking brakes whenever the
transformer throttle is reduced from high voltage to low voltage simulating the application of
the brakes as you enter curves or slow down for crossings and passenger stations. The
sound itself is a stored record on the ProtoSounds software chip and will always play the
same brake sound for the same 3 second length each time you reduce the voltage from
high to low.
ACTIVATING AND TRIGGERING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS
Before the brake squeaking can be heard, ProtoSounds must be activated for the brake
sound feature. The brake sound feature can be activated in two ways.
Option 1:
If you are using a separate bell button controller to ring your bell (like the Lionel
Railsounds No. 5906 bell activation button) you can activate the squealing brake feature by
pressing and holding the bell button for three seconds or longer (it doesn’t matter if you are
in forward, neutral or reverse). You will hear the bell chiming turn on and if you listen
carefully you should hear an air release sound after three seconds have passed at which
time you can release the bell button. (
Note:
because the air release sound is hard to hear,
we recommend that you count out a full three seconds before releasing the bell button
.)
The bell will continue to chime, so if you want to turn off the bell ringing, simply press and
release the bell button a second time. If you were in neutral when you triggered the brake
feature, interrupt the transformer throttle to enter either forward or reverse to allow the
engine to begin running. (
Note:
the brake sound will only be activated in the first direction
state you enter after triggering the feature from the neutral position. You cannot interrupt
the power twice to enter another direction state and still have the brake feature active
.)
Once your engine begins running, you can activate the brake sounds by reducing the
transformer voltage from a high setting to a low setting.
Option 2
If you do not have a separate bell button on your layout, you can still activate the
brake sound feature with your transformer whistle button. To activate the brake feature turn
on the transformer throttle and get your engine into the neutral position (not RESET). Once
in neutral, set the transformer throttle at 8 volts or less and press and hold the whistle button
for at least three seconds. You will hear the bell chiming turn on and if you listen carefully
you should hear an air release sound after three seconds have passed at which time you
can release the whistle button. (
Note:
because the air release sound is hard to hear, we
recommend that you count out a full three seconds before releasing the whistle button.
)
The bell will continue to chime, so if you want to turn off the bell ringing, simply press and
release the bell button a second time. Interrupt the transformer throttle to enter either
forward or reverse to allow the engine to begin running. (
Note:
the brake sound will only be
activated in the first direction state you enter after triggering the feature from the neutral
position. You cannot interrupt the power twice to enter another direction state and still have
the brake feature active.
) Once your engine begins running, you can activate the brake
sounds by reducing the transformer voltage from a high setting to a low setting.
