I am not particularly good at making things (I haven't got the patience, my eyesight isn't what it was, and I tend to be all fingers & thumbs when it comes to craft work), but I am quite adept at thinking of different ways to use things, and as I am not happy with the rather "weak" sound coming from the train-tech sound model I have just purchased, decided to try and improve it.

In playing about with the module I managed to dislodge the speaker from it's housing breaking the attached sound wires and thought I had completely broken the unit before I could even test it out on my layout.

In trying to get a deeper better sound than what the small thin rubber tube supplied with the unit was giving me, I looked for a replacement more solid tube that would fit over the speaker, and came up with a cardboard inner tube on a ball of string I had whose inside diameter was perfect for fitting over the speaker.

I cut the cardboard piece it in two as it was too long and using one piece pushed the speaker inside it, and instead of trying to re-attach the speaker to the unit in it's original position, decided to keep the 2 items separate, joining them using 2 new longer pieces of speaker wire (as in a stereo hi-fi system with separate speakers) as this would give me several  advantages  :-

1- the main module can be laid flat rather than have to stand upright.
2- the speaker (in it's new "amplifier") can be better placed in a different position.
3- the new cardboard sound amplifier can be painted to look like a cylinder being
     transported by rail.

At present not sure whether cutting some small air holes in the cardboard will further improve the sound or make it worse, so I am going to experiment with each method,
but the sound I now get using the cardboard is deeper and louder, although bulkier.

Currently just using the chassis of a container wagon at the moment, and am attaching pics of what I have done so far below. Will report on progress when and if there is any.

1st pic was my 1st thought of installing the standard unit in a modified carriage.
2nd pic method 1 that came with the train-tech instructions.
3rd pic method 2    "      "        "      "        "              "
4th pic the unit inside my new "cardboard" tube alongside the supplied plastic tube.
5th pic split unit on container chassis held on temporarily by elastic bands (yet to wire
     speaker back to unit shown on it's side).

If the container wagon system works, the module could be camorflaged using a 2nd cardboard tube so it would like like 2 cylinders being transported, and each tube properly fastened and painted. It might work ok on a goods train, the container wagon with the sound module being directly behind the locomotive, but for a passenger service another housing method would have to be found.

Of course it would all be a lot simpler if train-tech could reduce the size of their sound module for N gauge, and or modify the design somewhat (eg. separating speaker from module as I have done).

If I get it working maybe I can ask for a Blue Peter badge once again 

Take 2 - decided against the carboard tube and used instead a piece of car hose to improve the sound. Attached it to the chassis of a container wagon (using glue & fuse wire), and using my Dymo machine stuck a "trial" Label on the side.

Have yet to run it on the layout as need to test clearances, but just pushing it manually on a piece of test track it sounds much better with the added rubber tube.

Watch this space for further updates - am currently using the "steam" sound module as I am having some issues with the "diesel" version as the speaker has become detached and the wires broken. Does anybody know by the way where you can purchase "button" speakers?, as I might experiment with different ones to see if I can improve on the sound on the one supplied by train-tech, but of course it would have to be of a similar size, but it could be larger by keeping it detached as long as it will fit in/on a wagon or carriage one way or another.

Hi Tdm Can you please put your sound module in a Utube clip so we can see and hear it on your layout ,I think that fitting it on a waggon is probably the easiest solution but I Dont think you can get a good result by fitting it IN a box van or coach because it's a bit to big and will only fit sideways so you don't get the amplification from the tube perhaps we can get him to do a smaller version for N.will talk to him at Ali Pali .
Bob

Quote from: Bob Tidbury on February 22, 2015, 09:47:21 PM
Hi Tdm Can you please put your sound module in a Utube clip so we can see and hear it on your layout ,I think that fitting it on a waggon is probably the easiest solution but I Dont think you can get a good result by fitting it IN a box van or coach because it's a bit to big and will only fit sideways so you don't get the amplification from the tube perhaps we can get him to do a smaller version for N.will talk to him at Ali Pali .
Bob

Bob - That is exactly why I am using a container wagon in my experiments so I can add a longer sound tube amplifier (and it does make a difference), and I will video it if I can get the wagon to run round the track O.K. without fouling anything as it does have an overhang and is quite tall (might not go under my bridges - I need to check).

The attached train-tech speaker is a small flat round button type speaker and not very loud, and I think that by making the speaker remote from the sound module itself you can perhaps use a larger better speaker that would still fit.

By searching the Internet I have found a company called Kitsound who make all types of small speakers (Tesco is one of their retail outlets), and I have literally just sent them an email enquiring about their small speakers and asking for dimensions to see if it might be worthwhile purchasing one and using it as an alternative to the train-tech supplied one.

And yes it would be nice if train-tech could do a smaller N scale unit, and by connecting the speaker itself separately via a longer couple of wires you could use a larger sized, better sounding one with a better amplification tube. It's a fairly easy job to solder 2 different longer wires to the sound unit, as I have done it on the second module I have where the provided speaker became detatched so I wired up a spare speaker I have to check it worked, but the speaker I used is too big in itself for me to use on the railway.

Here is a link to the Tesco website, and an Amazon Ad advertising one of Kitsounds button speakers, but it doesn't give the size, hence the email to Kitsound.

http://www.tesco.com/direct/kitsound-button-speaker-blue/655-5206.prd

http://www.amazon.co.uk/KitSound-Universal-Rechargeable-Compatible-Smartphones/dp/B00KX8UV6C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1424641898&sr=8-2&keywords=button+speakers

You might like to show train-tech the pic I posted in my previous post of the container wagon and extra sound tube.

Hi Tdm If you go to specifications on the Tesco site you will find the dimensions and Its way too big 80mm high by 60mm by 60mm I Think you'll find it's meant to be for better sound from an MP 3 player or mobile phone.
Bob

Have you thought about a sugar cube speaker Terry? They fit in N gauge locos.

Quote from: Malc on February 22, 2015, 11:22:15 PM
Have you thought about a sugar cube speaker Terry? They fit in N gauge locos.

Where would I find one advertised Malc?

Hi Terry, there are quite a few suppliers, but I got mine from DCC Supplies, mainly because I was visiting the shop.

Made a little progress but also encountered a few problems.
Was it Robert the Bruce who said "If at 1st you don't suceed - try, try, try again."

Definately improved the sound by adding an extra rubber tube, but this has caused some overhang & height problems with the wagon containing the unit catching some track items due to the overhang, and hitting the roof of bridges, as well as it derailling at certain places which I think is due to weight distribution.

Still work to do but I have videod my attempts so far so you can get an idea of what it looks & sounds like (if my old camcorder mike picks it up O.K.).
Not yet been able to do a complete circuit of the track with the unit due to the problems mentioned above. 

Currently experimenting with the "steam" sound module, and not until I get this working will I start on the "diesel" one.

Ignore the quick roughly put together video shortcomings - just listen to the sound which is definately an improvement on the thin rubber speaker amplifier that came with the module, but which has not been discarded but simply partially enclosed and added to. Experiment is in it's early stages so far.


http://youtu.be/UP5EV-GuSok

In view of the problems I was having, have made some changes.
Used a smaller outer diameter rubber tube to resolve the overhang and height issues without sacrificing the sound level & quality - pics below.

Won't be able to test it on the track till tomorrow though as have other comitments tonight.
Hoping it will run better this time, and not derail or catch anything.

just a quick update to say my "Mark 2" version of the sound module container wagon works much better than the Mk1 without fouling as many trackside items and goes under bridges fine, and the sound quality is the same as before. A few more trackside items to move and a few other minor changes and all should be well, and I will post a new video of it in operation.

Terry I can't wait ,are you going to try Malcs idea of  the sugar cube speaker on the other module ?
Bob

Quote from: Bob Tidbury on February 24, 2015, 12:30:05 PM
Terry I can't wait ,are you going to try Malcs idea of  the sugar cube speaker on the other module ?
Bob

Hi Bob,

Train-tech say they are sending me a complete new (diesel) replacement unit to my son's Chester address, which is good of them, so will pick it up when over in April.

The sound I am getting now with my Mk2 conversion is pretty good, so I think I will stay with the Train-tech speaker and find some more car hose to use with it as per my existing modification.

Need to add a bit of weight to the front of my modified container wagon so it is less likely to de-rail, and eventually when it is fully operational find a "cover" to put on it to hide the module itself.

Probably use another container chassis with the "diesel" version as the extra length and added rubber hose does improve the sound level & quality. Quite enjoying the experimentation so far as the added sound does add some more reralismn to my layout,
but it would still be nice if Train-tech could make the sound-module smaller so that it is easier to fit.

If everything works out all right, I might even send for their DMU/EMU sound module so that all my rolling stock could work with sound.

Will do a new video in due course when I have completed my existing modifications.
Did the sound on the existing video clip come across O.K.?

Quote from: Tdm on February 24, 2015, 04:04:26 PM

Will do a new video in due course when I have completed my existing modifications.
Did the sound on the existing video clip come across O.K.?

The sound came across OK, Terry, although I sensed some frustration the vehicle wouldn't stay on the track

why not use the rail roads rule one issue , and use a 89 foot Auto Rack or a Bachmann 85 foot big dome car , also the unit might fit into one of the bigger US tenders .