MTH DCS Question

[Grant Kerr]

Posted this on the O scale forum as well.... I am looking for info from anyone who may have tried to get the bell and whistle to operate from using reed magnets on 2 rail MTH DCS systems rather than using the controller. Any and all options would be considered.
Thanks in advance
Grant

 

[jon-monon]

What does the bell and whistle require to make it go? I momentary switch closure? Or does it need to be held closed for the duration of the whistle?

 

[Grant Kerr]

I believe in DCS mode that the loco recieves AC power with a DC signal impressed on the rails. To activate the Bell or whistle it needs to be told to do so by pressing the apropriate button. What I am trying to do is have this function operate by reed switches used as track magnets. In essence I am trying to find out if any one has tried to do this and if succesful how they did it.

 

[Dave Farquhar]

The old Lionel whistling tenders worked that way, adding a DC signal to the AC, in the 1950s. I don't know anything about DCS, unfortunately. I do have a suggestion though. On the Classic Toy Trains (http://www.trains.com), O Gauge Railroading (http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x), and Model Train Journal (http://www.modeltrainjournal.com) forums there are a number of people with experience with MTH DCS, so you might try posting the question there.

 

[Grant Kerr]

Thank you Dave. I will try these fora you have suggested and see how I go
Grant