Do-able

Dear ??? (rwheller)

Short answer, yes, this is do-able.

Slightly longer answer:

- Yes a TSU can make-noise on 0-12VDC analog
(It will start audibly "idling" at around 9VDC)

- if you can provide a variable 9-12VDC voltage which is somehow tied to the actual throttle of the ride-on loco, then you can have TSU decoder which "automatically matches the loco throttle position".

- Unfortunately, such simple "9-12VDC supply" technique does not allow triggering of F-function light or sound capabilities (cannot blow the horn or ring the bell). However, once you have the basic system working, adding a "trigger box" as offered by MRC, BLI/PSC, and others between the "power supply" and the TSU will give you "F-trigger" capability. (If you'fre like most ride-on guys I know, you'll likely want to tear the trigger-box apart and re-wire it with heavy-duty switches so it "fits" on the control panel fo the loco... ).

- Using one of the Soundtraxx-provided Speaker-Output adaption circuits,
(search "lance mindheim headphone" without the quote marks here on MRH, or check
http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/Tech_note%2011.pdf ),
it is entirely possible to use a TSU as a "Line level source" for plugging into a power-amp of some description.

- Given we're talking ride-on sized loco, presumably with 12VDC available, the 12VDC car audio world would be the logical place to look for suitable power-amps and speaker fodder.

If you'd like more details, just holler...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

PS NB that despite the ability to _run_ the TSU on analog, you will likely still want to connect it up to some form of DCC rig at least once, to facilitiate initial configuration, setup, and tweaking. Once configured as required,
(setting various relative volumes, tweaking the sound/throttle-response relationships, etc), the TSU will remember those settings and happily run on analog from then-on...

John covered the DC aspects

Thank you for your responses.

Thank you for your responses. At present I am running a 1.6" scale box cab powered by a 4QD 200 amp PWM unit. The Phoenix system receives the 24v PWM through resistors directly from the motors. I am told the Phoenix is an "averaging" input.  This controls the "notching" of the sound.  The bell and horn are controlled directly with a button and switch to the Phoenix.  The output is fed to an automotive 100 watt system and base speakers.  Phoenix claims they will be releasing a new system with more memory and processing power to increase it's capabilities to more closely resemble those used in HO such as Tsunami.  The Phoenix is polyphonic so all sounds are independent and together.  I just thought there might be an "easy" way to do the same with the Tsunami system but it doesn't sound like it at present.  I will just have to wait a while longer.  Thanks anyway.  Ron Heller