I have an engine that runs on dc. I have also found a DCC conversion kit designed just for my engine, but the problem is that the engine has a smoke unit. Does anyone know if DCC would work with the original smoke unit. Thanks for any advice,
Joe,
What brand and scale? From your user name it would appear that this is S scale -- you will have to determine the current draw of the smoke unit to see if the decoder can handle it -- most can't unless it is a special heavy-current decoder made specifically to power a smoke unit.
The engine I want to convert to DCC is a Bachmann Norfolk and Western, number 600 and it is ho scale.
American Flyer Trains The engine I want to convert to DCC is a Bachmann Norfolk and Western, number 600 and it is ho scale.
1. Wire the smoke unit directly to the track with a resistor to have it produce the desired amount of smoke. Note that it will produce this much smoke all the time, even while siting in the yard.
2. Wire the smoke unit in parallel with the motor. Once again with a resistor to limit the amount of current it will draw. Note in this instance it will only produce smoke when the locomotive is moving (but I can't say how much at low speeds). This method will also require knowing how much current the smoke unit draws. This amount must be added to the motor draw to make certain the decoder has the capacity to handle both units.
3. Wire the smoke unit to the track power with a current limiting reisistor and a control (op-amp or power transistor) from the motor power (vary the amont of smoke) or from one of the auxilary functions of the decoder (constant amount of smoke produce when operator turns the function ON). Do NOT put the smoke unit directly onto an auxilary function circuit, it will burn it out for certain.
4. Use a second decoder set to the same channel as the locomotive with the smoke unit in place of the motor. Once again make certain the decoder output can handle the amperage of the smoke unit,.
Actually, I had a second thought. If the decoder was designed just for that engine, it should have directions with it on what to do with the smoke unit, or even a special output for the smoker.
i had a thought, depending on total current draw, would it be possible to use the backup light circuit?
Most decoders are limited to 250 mA (1/4 Amp) current draw TOTAL for the function outputs combined and 1 Amp for the motor drive. You must determine the current draw of the smoke unit in order to know if it can be wired through a decoder.