I recently purchased a Trix NYC Mike on eBay. It's used but in excellent condition. This was my first Trix loco so I didn't know what to expect. To my delight it is a super nice model. The detail level is terrific and it is a great silent runner. It didn't come with any information so I have downloaded a manual. This is the US version #22802. I ordered a #20 Suethe smoke unit for it and installed it but now comes my reason for posting. The smoke unit works very well but I would like to be able to turn it on and off using my Digitrax radio DCC system. The engine has an ESU sound decoder in it but I am hoping someone can tell me how to accomplish controlling the smoke unit. One way to do this that I saw on a Marklin forum is to use Marklin's mini relay and wire it to the decoder. If there is an easier way to do this I would appreciate knowing what it is. I also have no clue as to how to wire anything to the decoder, so I will need some step by step help with this. For anyone contemplating installing the #20 smoke generator in this locomotive, let me tell you it works extremely well. It puts out a continuous plume of smoke but it does't puff like BLI or MTH locos do, however, it puts out more smoke than either of these do (I have both types) and I am using Bachmann smoke fluid in it and it has very little objectionable smell.
I am by no means a DCC expert, and have yet to install a decoder. However, if you wish to control your smoke unit via a throttle input, you must have a function button mapped to that effect, and that means your smoke unit's circuit must be routed via the decoder...or more specifically, its power must come from one of the decoder's power outputs. So, you'll have to find an output that can send the requisite amperage/wattage to the smoke generator and hook the smoke unit to that decoder output via solder and perhaps heat shrink tubing to cover the exposed connection...not sure about that.
When the proper connection is in place, you'll have to go into the manual and function map one of your function keys to control the smoke unit as "on/off", like a simple power toggle.
The first thing you must determine is, which LokSound decoder is in the model. Decoders sold in the U.S. do not have sufficient amperage output on their function connections to handle the load of a smoke unit, but some European decoders may.
The max current draw of US LokSound decoders is .25 Amps.
Sounds like my best bet would be to connect Marklin's mini-relay to the decoder with the actual smoke unit's power coming directly from the track?
To control by decoder. No idea if RS still sells the relay.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/Tech_note%2014.pdf
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.
Now that Rich has provided the info I need to connect a smoke generator to a decoder. I need to find out what ESU sound decoder is in this Trix 2-8-2. There is very little info on line about this. So I am wondering if anyone can answer this question for me.
Richard in Vermont
It is the old V2.0. I didn't like the sounds on mine, so it now has an early Tsunami. Unfortunately, now the Tsunami sounds have lost their spark for me.
Some people reported problems with those early LokSound decoders and placed newer versions in their locomotives. BEMF is so good in all decoders these days that maybe you should just replace the V2.0 and be done with it. Remember to replace the speaker as well, though, as it won't have the same ohms as modern speakers...I think.
If you are loath to replace an otherwise good decoder, you'll have to go to the ESU site and find the manual for details. Or, send them an email asking for advice.
The person who administers ESU in the USA has been responsive for me. I had to replace the weird and unique coupling/draw bar between locomotive and tender when I dropped my Mikado, and he mailed me two.