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I am working on upgrading a Williams by Bachmann Hudson locomotive to command control. I was just wondering what the dimensions are on a MTH smoke unit. I want to make sure it will fit in the smoke box before getting one ordered.

Also, the MTH smoke unit work well with Gunrunnerjohn's Super Chuffer boards and ERR electronics, right? Just double checking.

Last edited by Harry's Trains
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gunrunnerjohn posted:

The MTH smoke unit should work in your Hudson, I've put them in a variety of Williams locomotives.

Looks like 1 3/8" tall, 1 1/2" long, 1" wide, and the top shot shows you were the stack is located.  You'll need the brass funnel as well, that's what I use to solder my brass stack extension to.

 

 

That small size is great. Would you be so kind as to give the actual MTH part number

I had a few more questions about this project I am working on before I start ordering components:

1) This schematic from the Super Chuffer II manual is for the Super Chuffer, Chuff Generator, Cruise Commander, and "idle smoke intensity."

(see attached file)

At the bottom of the page, are the relay, capacitor, and "loops" related to the idle smoke intensity? And if so, what components are needed to make them? I am not entirely sure what the square "loops" inside the dotted line are referring to.
 
2) Would the headlight output on the Super Chuffer II be capable of handling two LEDs? I ask because the WBB Hudson comes with a red incandescent bulb under the motor for an ashpan glow effect. If the headlight output could handle two LEDs, then I would like to have a standard headlight and a red LED to achieve the same ashpan glow effect, and have Rule 17 make the ashcan glow brighter when the engine starts moving.
 
3) What Ohm rating does the element in the MTH smoke unit mentioned above (AA-0000070) come with?
 
Thanks in advance!
 

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1) That's an optional configuration with extra components to achieve an additional effect, that being lowering the smoke output when you're stopped.  The relay is the Axicom IM06DG.  The bridge rectifiers are 1.2A rectifiers.

2) The Super-Chuffer handles a single LED for the headlight.  I'd run the second ashpan glow direct from the TMCC headlight output, just add a resistor.

3) The resistors in the MTH smoke unit are replaced using a single 20 ohm wirewound 2W or 3W resistor.  I put the single resistor in the holes closest to the stack.

I've actually done a separate board since then to give me a more universal capability for smoke intensity control.  This is how I do it nowadays.  I actually used up the blank PCB's I had or I'd show you a real picture, I have to order more.

Steam Smoke Intensity Controller - Rev. 1.1 Schematic

Steam Smoke Intensity Controller - Rev. 1.1 3D

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Images (2)
  • Steam Smoke Intensity Controller - Rev. 1.1 Schematic
  • Steam Smoke Intensity Controller - Rev. 1.1 3D
Last edited by gunrunnerjohn

I take this 5W resistor: Stackpole CB5JB20R0.  I put it in the vice with the points on each side clamped and squeeze it.  The outer ceramic shell flakes away and I have a perfect 2W 20 ohm resistor for the smoke unit.  In quantity 10, they're 38 cents each.  I use these as I want the uncoated resistors, and they're hard to find.

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Images (1)
  • mceclip0

Just wanted to ask a quick question on this topic again. I haven't done any work on this project in a while, but am gear up to hopefully get some progress done in the near future. What type of wire should be used for the locomotive: solid or stranded? I seem to remember hearing that solid works best for locomotives. Thanks, and I will be sure to post any updates on the project!

Two more questions, and I'm sure I'll think of more. In preparing for the upgrade, I've been studying the ERR, Super Chuffer, and Chuff Generator manuals. This raises two questions:

  1. I previously asked about stranded vs. solid wire. Now that I know I need stranded, what gauge should I use for the upgrade. The engine has some stock wiring that I was planning to reuse (for hot, ground, and the motors) which is 22 gauge.
  2. The second question is really just to make sure I understand this right. On the wiring diagrams in the super chuffer/chuff generator manuals, the superchuffer has the posts on the right side with 1 on top and 10 on the bottom. I just want to confirm that this corresponds to the orientation of the board I have photographed (sorry for the glare but its still in the package) with the posts on the right.

 

Hoping to get this upgrade going in a few days, just a few more parts to get first. Thanks!

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Images (2)
  • Screen Shot 2020-03-25 at 11.13.32 AM: Manual
  • IMG_2339: Board

None of the wiring to the Super-Chuffer needs to be #22 wire, it can be as small as you like, I typically use #26 wire.  There are no high currents going from ot to the board.

The square pin on the Super-Chuffer is pin 1, you count from there.  That's spelled out in the documentation, a copy of which is attached to this post.  I think the diagram actually has them going the other way, but that's not that uncommon for schematics.  I probably should redraw that...

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Last edited by gunrunnerjohn

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