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RailPro => RailPro Specific Help & Discussion => Topic started by: mickey on January 08, 2025, 08:26:24 AM

Title: Bench test LM4 with Phoenix sound card
Post by: mickey on January 08, 2025, 08:26:24 AM

I would like to test the LM4 with a Phoenix 2K2 sound card before actually opening up an engine.  I know you have to do the load setting but without an engine hooked up, is it necessary?  I don’t want to screw anything up.  I was initially just planning on just running battery to the LM4 then motor out to the Phoenix 2K2.  Should this work?

Title: Re: Bench test LM4 with Phoenix sound card
Post by: JRad on January 08, 2025, 09:07:37 AM

You can ignore the current setting until the LM is actually in the engine. The "speed" interpreted by the Phoenix will not be correct until there actually is a motor being driven, but it will work well enough to confirm it works,

I have an LM3-SG running off a power supply on my bench that I use to check out sound and light effect files before loading them in a loco.

Title: Re: Bench test LM4 with Phoenix sound card
Post by: gregeusa on January 08, 2025, 11:15:10 PM

Are you able to "program" the Phoenix? (software or switches)

Title: Re: Bench test LM4 with Phoenix sound card
Post by: mickey on January 09, 2025, 08:28:04 AM

Yes I can connect it to the programming cable and load and change to various engine but want to put it through it paces for several hours just to make sure as components heat up, etc, they don’t fail. Some electronics in life start to show failure as they heat up, but are fine cold.  It’s not always just startup and a pass/fail.

Title: Re: Bench test LM4 with Phoenix sound card
Post by: gregeusa on January 09, 2025, 11:32:32 AM

Not questioning your procedure, just making sure you can set up the Phoenix for the intended environment for your test.