I just ordered one of the newer USA Trains smoke units for my K-36. Rather than have it just blow a steam of smoke I want the puffs timed with the chuffs. I have no idea how to wire this but I’m sure others here may be able to help.
Thanks you for any help here
Bob Russell
You can do this with several different decoders, I am using QSI, but Zimo and others will do this for you.
Greg
My Airwire G3 doesn’t seem to have this option, just constant on. Would I need to tap into the chuff leads?
Yep, you need a decoder to do this…
Your G3 is not a sound decoder, what sound are you using?
Greg
Its a P5 sound decoder
OK, so this decoder has no way to control the heating element nor the fan.
You could run the heating element at a constant voltage, but not a good solution, you want more heat when moving, and less when stopped, especially since the unit could overheat with the fan off.
The solution to run at a lower heater voltage all the time will not give good results, especially if you pulse the fan like you want.
The fan could be driven from a small circuit triggered from a chuff switch, but not directly from the chuff switch.
Best result for you would be most likely the Convertr and a Zimo decoder, probably not what you want to hear.
Greg
Its all good. I know I can just wire it to the G3 and at least I will have smoke. Thank you for taking the time to help me with this.
yeah, I would get one of the original USAT regulator boards, and then hook it to the battery and control it with a relay from the G3…
I think one of those USAT regulator boards could be found.
Greg
Some of us gave up smoking, years ago, and feel great that we did…
Be carefull as the fan runs on approx. 5 volts but the heater needs more…
Many of us that converted to decoder control of the USA smoke unit have the control boards that are no longer needed for DC operation of the USA smoke unit.
Thats precisely why I suggested he use the control board (which is actually only a couple of regulators) for the unit if he is switching the whole shebang from the G3.
Greg
I did order the control board with the smoke unit.
Well, I ordered the smoke unit a week and a half ago so I called USA Trains to find out whats going on, they said they just haven’t had time to mail it yet but it will go out soon. So glad I model 1:20.3 and never need to deal with this company again, He acted like he really didn’t care that it has not been shipped…wow.
Fred Mills, SOG said:
Some of us gave up smoking, years ago, and feel great that we did…
Yeah, I smoked two- three- packs a day since I was fourteen, then gave it up about 28 years ago for Lent. I tried smoking a pipe a few years ago, but it didn’t last long…gave me a sore throat.
Now I’m down to a cigar once or twice a year on the golf course.
I was very impressed how well this modeller’s locomotives smoke, and posted this video a while back…I got shot down pretty quickly by one of the guys here who knows everything and told me how stupid it was to think this could work, but here it is anyway:
If only model steam locomotives came smoking like that…