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Tsunami Heavy Steam Decoder Wiring Question

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • 84 posts
Tsunami Heavy Steam Decoder Wiring Question
Posted by GMILL47 on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 8:20 PM

I have a Tsunami Heavy Steam Sound Decoder that the instructions refer to a grouping of three wires, two purple and one tan, for the speaker and cam.  I have a grouping of three wires that have two purple and one white wire.  There is a grouping of wires with all the other colors off the end.  Anyone else ever encounter this?

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 8:43 PM

GMILL47

I have a Tsunami Heavy Steam Sound Decoder that the instructions refer to a grouping of three wires, two purple and one tan, for the speaker and cam.  I have a grouping of three wires that have two purple and one white wire.  There is a grouping of wires with all the other colors off the end.  Anyone else ever encounter this?

Yes, that is normal for the Tsunami. Read the instructions that came with the decoder. Mine came with instructions and I followed them. Some see the white wire as tan or the other way around.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • 84 posts
Posted by GMILL47 on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 9:15 PM

Good to know.  I was planning on proceeding with the directions based upon my assumption that the white wire was to be treated as the tan one.  Thanks for the response.  Do you or anyone else have an opinion on the worth of using the cam?  This brass engine has a cam on one of the driver axles.  I thought I'd use it if I could and the Tsunami has the wire for it.

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Tarpon Springs, FL
  • 331 posts
Posted by cmarchan on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 3:36 AM

I heartily recommend installing a cam; the difference in the chuff sound is significant, especially at the higher speeds (> 30SMPH). One of the easiest cams to install is made by Grizzly Mountain Engineering (http://g-m-e.com). Their cams have a split design and are installed without removing the wheels from the axle, so a wheel puller and quarterer are NOT required. You will need a conductive ink pen, 5 minute epoxy, and a clothes pin or similar clamp. You may have to cut a slot in the gear cover plate to make room for the cam.

I've installed one in my Westside GS-4 and it was worth the effort; the synchronization is accurate at all speeds and the cadence of the chuff is realistic. I have a friend that works with live steam who heard it and he was very impressed.

Carl in Florida - - - - - - - - - - We need an HO Amtrak SDP40F and GE U36B oh wait- We GOT THEM!

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