Problem with sound in a two truck shay.

[Mt Beenak]

I have a 38 ton, two truck shay. (1:20.3)  Added new style trucks after two years running, goes better than ever.  (Love the shay and the climax!)
I used a simple 'chuffer' sound circuit for years which reacted to track voltage.  I have tried upgrading to a unit which is activated by the Shay piston activated switches, but no luck.  I get a permanent closed circuit on the board.  I loosened the two screws beside the cylinders and it works intermittently, but I cannot get it to work properly.  Any ideas would be appreciated. 
Are there quality sound boards which work off track voltage, or do I go back to the 'chuffer'?

[two tone]

Hi Mt Beenak  I have a Bachmann consolidation had the same sort of prob. I now use a reed switch and 2 magnets on an axcil as the wheels turn it gives me a nice sound far better than the pickup via the loco system.  If you show where abouts you are maybe someone local may be able to help         Hope tis helps

[Mt Beenak]

Thanks for the try, but where would I put an axle mounted magnet on a shay?  All four axles are powered and inside gearboxes.  No spare place for it!

By the way, I am in Victoria, Australia.

Mick

[TonyWalsham]

Mick, If you are in Melbourne bring it down to me and I will fix it for free while you wait.

[Mt Beenak]

I also posted on Bachmann forums and someone suggested a website with shay problems and solutions...

 http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/shay_tips.html#valve_gear

I took the plunge and fully dismantled the ashpan and cylinder gear.  I found at least three obvious but simple problems, fixed them all and re-assembled.  IT WORKS!  

Mick of Mt Beenak, Down Under.

[dwbeckett]

Thanks for the site I printed the 25 page's to take to Reno where my Shay resides so now I can get rid of that annoying tic tic. I thougth it was just mine. once agin thank's

Dave