Scale Big Boy protosounds chuff sounds

NO, PS1 generates the chuff sound based on voltage. There is no chuff switch, no reed switch, no axle trigger, no tachometer or stripes. In other words, since PS1 is conventional, when the motor is not in neural and thus, moving forward or reverse, the PS1 board set is measuring voltage and based on that basically a VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) is what makes the chuff rate- but there ALSO is a chuff rate software adjustment setting in PS1.

https://mthtrains.com/sites/de...shooting%20chart.pdf

Further, this post from @gunrunnerjohn that is from PS1 engine manuals.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Here's the procedure for resetting PS/1 features, you'll need to know this to proceed to the instructions below.

Give a factory reset a try first.  Modify the instructions below by pressing the whistle button a second time at the end to also reset the default chuff rate back to factory defaults.

In the event that doesn't do it, here's the procedure to reset the chuff rate for an individual locomotive characteristics.

Adjusting Chuff Rate - Reset Feature 27 - (5 Clanks, 3 Clinks)

Reset Feature 27 allows the operator to “fine tune” the rate of chuff relative
to the speed of the engine by setting the minimum and maximum chuff
points. To do this with the MTH Z-4000™, follow the steps below:

1. With the steam engine on the track, and the transformer throttles in the
“OFF” position, press the “PROGRAM” button for the track in use. The
display will read “00” and “PG”.

2. Using the “WST/HRN” button, scroll the top display up to “27,” then
press “BELL SELECT.” The transformer will power the engine in Reset,
and run the Proto-Sounds® to Reset Feature 27 (5 Clanks, 2 Clinks).

3. Raise the throttle from the “OFF” position and press the “PROGRAM”
button. This will release the transformer from the Program Mode without
the engine leaving Reset Feature 27.

4. With the throttle set low, press the “WST/HRN” button. You will hear a
single bell, and the engine will begin to move forward with no chuff.

5. Reduce the throttle until the engine just stalls , and press “WST/HRN.”
You will hear a double bell. This is the motor speed where the chuff will
begin.

6. Raise the throttle until the engine is running at the speed that you want
the chuff to be the fastest, and press “WST/HRN”. You will hear 3 bells, and the engine will stop.

7. Bring the throttle to the “OFF” position to complete the Reset Feature.
Test the settings by running the engine. You may need to repeat the
procedure to further adjust the thresholds. And remember you can always
return to the Default Settings by using Reset Feature 18.

NOTE: Special note for steam engines only. Once you have reached reset
18 you have two options. Option 1 resets all the reset features except for
reset feature 27 (Chuff Rate) back to the default setting. Option 2 resets
all reset features back to the default setting. For Option 1, press the
horn/whistle button once after you have heard the 3 clanks and 3 clinks
this will reset all the reset features except reset 27 (Chuff Rate) back to
the factory settings. For Option 2, press the horn/whistle button again
you have now reset the remaining reset feature 27 (chuff rate) back to the
factory setting. All the reset features now have been set back to the
factory settings.

Also, this is where having a Z4000 is a HUGE help and using the built in program features for PS1 makes this a whole lot easier for PS1 resets and setting changes.

Note, both handles of the Z4000 must be down (OFF). You cannot use program if either handle is up for this function.

https://mthtrains.com/sites/de...ction/20as15530i.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEiCJib3kQQ

Vernon,

I am running this engine with a cab-1 and a TPC 400. The voltage may not be high enough as the chuffs are intermittent. I will bring it to my club who uses Z4Ks on our layout and see what happens then.
From reading your posts, I think it is more of it running at a low voltage to be the issue. I will say that the smoke unit still sends clouds out at the voltage it is running.

@Ted Bertiger posted:

Vernon,

I am running this engine with a cab-1 and a TPC 400. The voltage may not be high enough as the chuffs are intermittent. I will bring it to my club who uses Z4Ks on our layout and see what happens then.
From reading your posts, I think it is more of it running at a low voltage to be the issue. I will say that the smoke unit still sends clouds out at the voltage it is running.

Ted,

If it's being propelled down the track, no matter what speed except for coasting downhill with the throttle off, then the voltage is high enough, regardless.

The power source makes no difference.

Also, although the Z4000 has built-in programming aids as Vernon reported, so do newer TPC's, namely the Lionel versions (specifically the AUX 1 then 5 button sequence).  They're not quite as easy as those in the Z4000 but they do work fairly well.

Mike