Large Scale Central

Bachmann Annie 4-6-0 Wiring for Sound

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

Im a putting a Phoenix System into the tender of my 4-6-0. It came with one connector to the engine marked Sound. I imagine it was for the chuff trigger. The other connection on the engine I believe is for power.
Here are my two questions.

Is there a noticeable advantage to using the engine chuff trigger over installing axle magnets and reed switch in the tender??
If the answer is yes, would it be hard to wire in a 4 pin connector in place of the two seperate connectors??
2 pins would be for the chuff trigger and 2 pins would be for tying the power from the engine to the tender for multiple power pick ups. (I installed BB wheel sets with power tabs in the tender).

Here is one more question. I have both 3" and 3 1/2" Phoenix speakers. The 3" is a direct replacement for the Bachmann speaker. Is it worth the trouble to modify the tender for the bigger speaker??

Thanks much!

Ward
Gold Dawg RR

#2

Engine axle is two contacts per rev.
Should be 4.

Better is 2 magnets on a tender axle, as the circumfrence of the tender wheel is about half the driver, and you’ll get about 4 chuffs per rev.

Unless you are eye level, run very slow, and make certain the chuff occurs at the correct piston position every time, tender truck is better (I’ve actually run into 2 folks like that so far).

Not worth the hassle to cut all the ring and lugs off, and open the floor.

Unless you want to impress the new girl that moved in three blocks down.

One plug on the back of the loco is for the backup lights.

One is chuff.

There are no tender truck pickups to drive your sound system.

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