CAZEPHYR hdtvnut selector Hal, you have this in hand, clearly. I hope you didn't mind the question...it was worth avoiding a D'Oh! moment. Not at all. I think I found part of the answer. Looked at the DCS manual online, which shows that the chuff rate can be changed from 2 to 3 or 4 per driver revolution with the DCS controller. It said that the default setting is 3, deemed "best sounding" for high-speed steamers. So I may have to find a DCS system to reset It. Why would anyone want 2 or 3? That's silly. Otherwise, the engine seems to have decent sound and operation, although nothing about the sound can be modified except the volume, or about the speed curve, etc. Hal I am not in O tinplate or O Lionel but the 2 chuff per rev was an option since many of the models are run at high speed and the two chuffs is used. I was not aware of the DCS having that option for HO, but it sounds like a carry over from their O scale products. CZ
hdtvnut selector Hal, you have this in hand, clearly. I hope you didn't mind the question...it was worth avoiding a D'Oh! moment. Not at all. I think I found part of the answer. Looked at the DCS manual online, which shows that the chuff rate can be changed from 2 to 3 or 4 per driver revolution with the DCS controller. It said that the default setting is 3, deemed "best sounding" for high-speed steamers. So I may have to find a DCS system to reset It. Why would anyone want 2 or 3? That's silly. Otherwise, the engine seems to have decent sound and operation, although nothing about the sound can be modified except the volume, or about the speed curve, etc. Hal
selector Hal, you have this in hand, clearly. I hope you didn't mind the question...it was worth avoiding a D'Oh! moment.
Hal, you have this in hand, clearly. I hope you didn't mind the question...it was worth avoiding a D'Oh! moment.
Not at all. I think I found part of the answer. Looked at the DCS manual online, which shows that the chuff rate can be changed from 2 to 3 or 4 per driver revolution with the DCS controller. It said that the default setting is 3, deemed "best sounding" for high-speed steamers. So I may have to find a DCS system to reset It.
Why would anyone want 2 or 3? That's silly. Otherwise, the engine seems to have decent sound and operation, although nothing about the sound can be modified except the volume, or about the speed curve, etc.
Hal
I am not in O tinplate or O Lionel but the 2 chuff per rev was an option since many of the models are run at high speed and the two chuffs is used. I was not aware of the DCS having that option for HO, but it sounds like a carry over from their O scale products.
CZ
If you run the O-guage trains at the maximum 120 smph the 4 chuffs per revolution sounds absolutely horrible.
Crandell, I am getting a chuff every 120 degrees instead of every 90 degrees. Every fouth chuff is accentuated, and should be at the same driver position, so it is obviously wrong. If they're using an optical pickup, either they made a design error, or there is an input counter on the decoder that is mis-adjusted. My GS-4 has it correct. But I can't find a decoder tech manual on their website, so can anyone who has MTH repair station training or similar knowhow answer this question? Looking for info before poking around. Will call them tomorrow, but getting the right person can be iffy.
I don't know anyone local with a DCS, but there is a repair site about 50 miles away if need be.
Are we certain the OP's 'counting' is correct? The fourth chuff takes place when the main crank returns to its starting position, that being a revolution of 360 degrees. A steamer doesn't sound four chuffs and then start a fifth when the crank gets back to its starting point on the clock-face.
-Crandell
There is a way of adjusting chuff rate on O guage MTH locomotives with Protosound 2.0 using the DCS system, I assume it would be the same with the HO locomotives, but I dont own one myself. I also dont have any Protosound 3 steam locomotives at this time, so I dont have any experience dealing with the new system with steam. 3 chuffs per revolution might be the factory default setting. I believe most stores that are a "MTH megastation" will have a test track and working DCS system, you might try taking it to one and having them adjust it (call first), not all model train stores are created equal.
Not under DCC. There might be for DCS, so you'd have to take it to someone with a DCS system to make the adjustment.
I thought they had a fancy sensor on the motor shaft to keep the chuffs in sync, because they complained about Broadway Limited doing similar with the Paragon II locos. BLI uses a reed switch and magnet, I thought MTH had an optical sensor. Of course, having the sensor doesn't mean it was ever set correctly from the factory.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Is there an adjustment for the rate under DCC? Mine is currently about three chuffs per revolution. Thanks.