Thanks for the replies. The decoder I used is a DZ123 (because I had it on hand). It has just light and motor controls. I plan to replace it with a sound decoder, although it has a chuff piston that sounds pretty good. I have several of the smoke generators and will test the current draw with several different resistors. I can put in a toggle or slide switch in the tender to control it
Right out of the SoundTraxx website. Piece of cake.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/Tech_note%2014.pdf
The small Radio Shack relay 275-233 might fit the tender. It works on 12 VDC and draws only 11.4 ma. Contacts are good for 0.5 amp. A diode across the coil.
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.
Don't connect the smoke generator unless you have used a decoder meant for heavy current draw, or your decoder may become a smoke generator for a brief instant.
You need to measure the smoke generator's current draw and compare that to the function capacity of the decoder. Most decoders can handle only 250 mA current on their function outputs, and the smoke generator, being a heating element, may draw more than that.
I have an American Flyer HO Hudson Loco from the mid '50's that I installed a decoder in. Runs great. I did not hook up the smoke generator because I didn't know if it would work on DCC. Short of hooking it up and damaging something, has anyone done this before?