Hornby "Supersound" steamsound generator.

7289 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Ruffnut Thorston, May 1, 2012

Robert Stokes

Discussion Starter · Jul 25, 2008

I have put this question here because, although not really to do with DCC, it is about electronics so it seemed the best section for it.

I recently acquired, for just a few pounds, an old Hornby "Supersound" steam sound generator. It is a little battery-powered box to go underneath the layout. Although nothing like an on-board sound decoder unit it does make quite pleasing steam sound noises. It also has a quite realistic whistle.

Its main drawback is that the speed of the "puffing" cannot be adjusted. Having it go full tilt just as an engine is moving off or coming to a halt is a more than a little unrealistic. I wondered whether anyone had one of these boxes and has done an alteration that allows the puffing speed to be controlled.

It also makes steam release noises but sadly this will only work when the "puffing" is also going, whereas I think that you would only want to use it when a loco was stationary. I think that an alteration to make this happen would be a lot easier than the previous one I have asked about. Again has anyone done it?

Thank you, Robert.

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John Webb

· #2 · Jul 26, 2008 (Edited by Moderator)

This unit (R512) was produced between 1992 and 1995. Only 1,200 were made for sale, although an unknown number were also included in various train sets in 1993/94. (Information from Pat Hammond's Volume 3 of his history of Rovex-Triang.)
This source gives no information of the technical details of the unit. Presumeably it was a microchip of some sort. Is there a timing capacitor/resistance somewhere on it to control the speed of the chuffs? If so, perhaps the resistance could be changed for an external variable one to give some control?

Regards,
John Webb

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Brian Considine

· #3 · Jul 26, 2008

I remember the unit, but I think it was really intended to give more of a "background" sound rather than to a particular locomotive ?

When you think about it Triang/Hornby have made some excellent working/playing accessories.

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Robert Stokes

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 26, 2008

Thanks for the replies. I only bought it as a gimmick because it was cheap. I will try what you suggest, but even if I can't improve it I won't mind that much. It provides that extra bit of interest. Some sound equipped locos one day perhaps.

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Richard Johnson

· #5 · Jul 26, 2008

QUOTE (Robert Stokes @ 26 Jul 2008, 23:33) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thanks for the replies. I only bought it as a gimmick because it was cheap. I will try what you suggest, but even if I can't improve it I won't mind that much. It provides that extra bit of interest. Some sound equipped locos one day perhaps.

***Hi Robert
it wouldn't be easy to make the chuff faster and slower but it'd not be hard to make it softer or lounder as the loco is close/near or fast/slow.... worth a try perhaps

what you need is a potentiomenter in one wire between the electronics and the speaker... it needs to be quite low impedance so the type used for tweeter level control or similar would probably do it OK... if not buy the lowest impedance linear potentiometer you can and try that. This Maplin one will probably be OK

FW00APot Lin 1k77 in Stock £1.21
it will have three terminals. cut one wire to the speaker and connect one end to the centre terminal and one to either left or right terminal

Richard
DCCconcepts

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Ruffnut Thorston

· #6 · Apr 30, 2012

Hi.

The R.512 Sound unit was "new" in 1992, and had a RRP of £10.00.

The first SuperSound units (R.396) appeared in a set (R.597) with a red "Holden" 101 tank and goods rolling stock in 1984. These units have a connection to the track to regulate the chuffing. There is a press button whistle, and the Chuffing can be turned off. They also incorporate a two-tone Diesel Horn!

Also available "solo", the unit worked from the 15V A.C. from the transformer, not batteries. (I want one of these!)

Made 1983-1986. 6,400 produced. (Plus 1,350 as R.836 for Mail Order.)

Information from catalogues, price lists, and Mr. Hammonds Hornby Railways Book.

(I want one of these!)

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Robert Stokes

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 30, 2012

If you really want it you can have mine. It runs off 2 x AA batteries but it could probably be adapted to run off 3V from a transformer. I have started getting proper sound equipped engines now.

Robert

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Prescotian

· #8 · Apr 30, 2012

E-Bay at this very moment

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Ruffnut Thorston

· #9 · May 1, 2012

Thanks for the offer, but it is the early type I want, as in the Ebay link. (Thanks for that!

)

I actually had one of the battery items when they were current!

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