Piko 35040 -soundcard makes a horrible noise on slowing down

[Northsider]

I have been having a little play with my newly acquired Accucraft 'Mona', which is fitted with a Piko 35040 fob-type rc set-up fitted. It also has a soundcard installed, although I don't know the manufacturer -possibly Piko, too? The chuff sound is good, but when slowing down, the chuffs get interrupted by an electronic blare that sounds a bit like a cheap burglar alarm. The chuffs then continue once the blare finishes -it only lasts a few seconds. There don't seem to be any other problems with the sound, apart from a very unsympathetic whistle

Does anyone know what might be causing this noise?

 

[Rhinochugger]

I have a feeling that the very basic Bachmann card could do this - but I'm blowed if I can remember the answer.

This, however, would have happened under track power - I'm somewhat surprised it happens under battery power.

Ask PhilP

 

[PhilP]

I wonder if it is supposed to be either a whistle or brake-squeal?

Perhaps, if the battery voltage is too low, this additional load is enough to cause the soundcard to not function correctly?

However, not knowing how things have been installed, it is a little difficult to diagnose.

PhilP

 

[Northsider]

I thought it might be the on-board battery, which can need 15 minutes of running to charge; but, despite a good spell running up on blocks, the problem persists...

 

[Northsider]

I wonder if it is supposed to be either a whistle or brake-squeal?

Perhaps, if the battery voltage is too low, this additional load is enough to cause the soundcard to not function correctly?

However, not knowing how things have been installed, it is a little difficult to diagnose.

PhilP

Definitely not brake squeal; given how awful the push-button whistle is, it may be related, but I suspect it is a glitch. I'm tempted to ditch the whole lot and go for a tried-and-trusted Deltang/RC Trains set-up...

 

[PhilP]

If it is battery RC, then it should not need a separate battery for the sound..
Possibly, a supply derived from the main battery.. It sounds like (if present) the additional battery has had it.

PhilP

 

[Northsider]

If it is battery RC, then it should not need a separate battery for the sound..
Possibly, a supply derived from the main battery.. It sounds like (if present) the additional battery has had it.

PhilP

Where would I find the additional battery (if it exists!); is it a board-mounted capacitor?

 

[PhilP]

Where would I find the additional battery (if it exists!); is it a board-mounted capacitor?

It has been suggested this is an old bachmann(?) soundcard..
If so, it probably had a battery. - Quite often a PP3 9V size.

But....

Without sight of the card, and further investigation, I am guessing.

PhilP

 

[zman50]

I have a sound card in my LGB locomotive in the coal car. I believe it was aftermarket installed. Using a LGB starter set transformer the loco makes a squel sound at first and then the chuff chuff comes in. So I think it needs more power than what it gets when first turning on.