Thanks for your reply Jeff.
I've installed 2 Sierra units in a Bachmann 2-8-0 and a 4-6-0. Quite pleased with the results but I noticed that the track has to been good and clean if the sound units are to work ok. What made it easy is that the chuff circuit is in place and wired back to the tender..
It would have been easier if Accucraft had made some sort of simple dismantling instructions but I guess I'll just have to take it easy and be carefull as I don't want to spoil the paint finish.
I have looked at the TDS smoke unit as a smoking engine running outside looks much better.
Do you know how soon the smoke starts in the TDS unit (at how many volts?)
The smoke unit in my Bachmann Consolidation is hopeless when the loco is running, but worked ok out of the board and on the test bench with voltage direct on the contacts. Bit dissapointed wth this. Do you have idea, if, for example there is a voltage regulator in the board ?
Happy Railroading !
Regards
Martin
Having several Accucraft models which I love BTW, I can assure you that installing a sound system isn't that bad. If you are going track power and not DCC, the Soundtraxx Sierra or Phoenix boards are probably a good place to start. Both of these companies offer installation kits that provide you with everything you might need including a cam/magnet setup. For smoke units I like the TAS turbo smoke unit and for $65.00 it's pretty tough to beat. This fan driven unit works great with the Soundtraxx cams due to the low current required to trip the chuffing circuit and the smoke unit turns itself off if it runs out of fluid. Also make sure you pick up a decent tether cable with good quality connectors if you want to be able to disconnect the locomotive and tender after the installation....
The funny thing is, because I only use battery power and use the CVP Airwire system for control, I rather like the fact that the Accucraft electric steamers come stripped down from an electronics and wiring standpoint. I find that the other manufacturers have gone too far in this area and to properly install the stuff I like in them requires removing virtually every board and wire they come with!
Jeff
Well for starters, welcome aboard. Now then, I got a few points to make on this subject.
1. I am devout Aristo fan, so anything they make, I love.
2. Why fix what ain't broke. Adding smoke and sound is tedious, troublesome, and annoying if you dont do it right. Also, it just puts more on the table to break down or malfunction in the future.
3. You should probably hold off for a little bit before you attempt such an ambitious move.
Now that is my say in it. Whichever way you go, the best of luck to you.
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
After 13 years into G scale, with only Bachmann locomotives and rolling stock apart from a Accucraft Goose # 2, I took the plunge and bought an Accucraft RGS C-19.
The model is good and heavy, well detailed & runs wells but I was dissapointed to find that fitting sound and a smoke unit is not going to be an easy job. Also there are only pickups on one set of drivers plus the tender wheels and one of these were broken!.
Anyone out there fitted a sound unit using the cam on the driver or a smoke unit to one of these ?
Also noticed that there is no brake rodding on the loco brakes.
Anyone else got any comments on these models ?
A correction, today whilst fixing the defect electrical pick-up on the rar driver I found a set of pick-ups on the leading driver. (sorry Accucraft!)
Also just to make it clear I've been into model trains since I was about 5 and that was 48 years ago !
Garden railways are my main interest but one day my OO scale GWR/LMS layout will be started !
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