Lee,  I think 10-12 volts on any of my Williams engines would launch them into low earth orbit.

Earl

The whistles on some modern engines do not work with a postwar transformer.  If you are using a postwar transformer and the whistle doesn't work, you can get the whistle control from Lionel to activate the whistle/bell on modern engines.

Good Luck...
Earl

Does Bachmann have any plans to change the whistle/horn from a grade crossing sequence to user controllable?

I would also like to see a volume pot to control sound levels.  I have tried adjusting the sound level on my GG1 using the pot on the sound card, but the pot acts more like an on/off switch than a volume control.

Earl

Quote from: MAPA JCT on January 17, 2010, 03:51:48 PM
The 5543 has a "chuff" sound in it, the 773 does not.

Marty, are you sure the scale engine has chuff?  This thread suggests that there was an error in the advertisement and that the scale hudson has no chuff.  I have no personal knowledge either way other than what is written in this forum.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,9828.0.html

Earl

I have the Williams GG1 and I love it.  The only gripe I have with it is the pantographs.   It seems as if you just look at them cross-eyed, they pop off.  I also rewired the motors in series and it operates much better and the headlight is much brighter.

Earl

Questions about sound level control on Williams engines gets asked very often.  However, I have never seen an official answer by Bachmann.  I don't know why they don't answer.

Earl

Lee, Thank you for the reply.  I could not find a volume pot on the circuit board, but I did not look real close.  Nothing obvious, but I will look for it again the next time I have the shell off.

I think I have the light as bright as I can get it with the current lens.  Both lights are very bright with the shell off.  The engine cruises at about 10 VAC so that is probably the voltage the lights are seeing.

The bulbs had to be raised about 1/2" to line up with the lens.  The opaque lens is preventing a lot of light from getting through.  I will look for a clearer lens at the next train show I attend.

BTW, what happened to the Bachmann representatives that usually give definitive answers to our questions?  They should certainly know if the sound level can be adjusted.

That GG1 sure is a nice engine.  It is very smooth, has great pulling power, and runs like a champ.  I've asked Santa for either an FM Trainmaster or a Santa Fe F-3 A-A set in the Williams Golden Memory series.  All of my Williams engines are great runners.

Earl

Thank you for the reply.  I am slowly solving the dim headlight problem.  The light bulbs are mounted about a half inch below the lens.  I have moved them up and that has improved the brightness.  The next problem is the lens is too opaque.  I will look for replacement lens at the next train show I attend.

I really think Bachmann should address the low light bulb mounting.  It is an easy manufacturing fix.

Earl

Quote from: Ron Sims on September 17, 2009, 07:27:07 PM
You will indeed lose top speed, but there can be another drawback. If your brick, or transformer does not put out at least 20 volts you may be unhappy with just how much speed you will lose. With my Z-1000 which puts out only about 17.00 actual volts at top speed my Williams engine was too slow. I switched my engine back to original wiring.
Ron

I am surprised at your loss of speed.  I re-wired my semi-scale GG1 to series wiring and it is still plenty fast.  I limit the top voltage to about 12 VAC to prevent the engine from launching on my 48" diameter curves.  Slow speed operation is much improved.  Are you sure that both motors were operating?

Check the voltage that you are running at max speed with your engine wired in parallel.  If the voltage is less then 8 VAC, then your engine should run at that same speed at 16 VAC with the motors wired in series and a 17 VAC transformer will work just fine.

Earl

I modified the wiring to run the motors in series to gain more slow speed control and give more voltage to the light bulbs.  The lights are brighter, but not as bright as the light on my Williams Berkshire, which has constant brightness.

When I removed the shell, two broken black bands, about 1" diameter, fell out.  They look like traction tires.  I am guessing that they probably went around the two motors and held wires in place.  What is the purpose of the bands and where do they go?  The engine is running fine without the bands.  Are they necessary?

I would still like to reduce the sound level of the horn.  It is obnoxiously loud.

Earl

I have the Golden Memory GG1.  It is a terrific engine.  I have a couple questions.

1) The whistle is extremely loud.  Is there an adjustment pot on the sound board where I can lower the sound level?

2) Both engine lights are very dim at running speeds.  Is there some way to make them brighter?

Thank You...
Earl

3rail,

Thank you for the information.

Earl

3rail,

Thank you for your reply.  I was able to straighten the axle sufficiently to eliminate any noticeable wobble.

Is the side plate that retains the axle glued in place?  If not, how is it secured?

Thank You...
Earl

I have a Williams Southern Berkshire loco.  I have had the engine for several years.  I just noticed that one of the axles on the trailing truck is quite badly bent.  I have no idea what could have bent the axle because the engine is stored on a display shelf whenever it is not running on the layout.  Anyway, I would like to remove the axle and try and straighten it.  How can I remove the axle?

Thank You...
Earl