cudakenEd, don't think a reset of the decoder will fix the problem with the chuffing.
No, I didn'think I implied that it would, only the volume levels would be brought back to default, which is full volume.
So you turned down the volume to eliminate the rattle but now you think there's not enough volume? I'm confused about that.
cudakenCharle, is the reed switch just a magnate?
The Reed Switch is a little glass tube with tiny contacts in it. They are a mechanical device and they wear out.
Here is the one I mentioned for the Niagara:
BLI_Chuff by Edmund, on Flickr
and a close up:
BLI_Chuff_detail by Edmund, on Flickr
The magnet (M) is pressed into the flywheel. The (R) reed switch (or chuff sensor if you prefer) is on the bottom of the board.
BLI might sell the plug-in board. I just bought the reed switches and soldered them in. When I bought them they were $5/ea. from BLI.
Part #30 is the reed swithc/chuff sensor board for the P2 USRA Pacific.
Hope that helps,
Good Luck, Ed
Folks, thank you for the kind replys!
Ed, don't think a reset of the decoder will fix the problem with the chuffing. I did turn down the volume of the sounds due to the tender rattling. If I get the chuffing to work again then I will use the electrial tape trick on the tender.
Charle, is the reed switch just a magnate? Does it plug into a circuit board or do I have to solder it?
Do the new Pargon III use a reed switch?
Thanks for the answer!
Ken
I hate Rust
Ken,
The chuff went out on my light Pacific and after contacting BLI, they said it was likely the chuff sensor. Rather than send the loco in for repair, I had them send me the replacement sensor and I replaced it myself ( located under the engine shell). That fixed the problem.
CN Charlie
cudaken2 Sound is very lack luster, not surprised by that with it's small tender.
Have you checked the CVs for volume, Ken? The previous owner may have turned those down considerably. Small tender shouldn't make that big of a difference. I just put some sugar-cube speakers in the short hood of a GP-9 and it is every bit as loud as one in a large tender or bigger diesel.
Maybe a complete reset would help your Pacific sound?
I just ripped the reed switch out of a NYC Niagara but it may not be the same. Of all my BLI steam I've only had to replace one reed switch which was on a NYC Hudson.
They are usually mounted as part of a small PC board. BLI might — or might not have the exact board (they should, though, they're still selling lots of those 4-6-2s) The one I had to replace was soldered in and BLI only had the reed switch as a separate piece.
Pretty sure the speaker is a 23mm. Probably 8Ω. I just checked my Erie Heavy Pacific and it has a pair of 23mm.
The tender body is a simple press fit. You don't have to remove couplers or even unplug the harness.
The sensor for the chuff sync is probably failing. Fairly common on those.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
A friend gave me a BLI Heavy Pacific for Christmas and I am having a few minor issues with it.
1 Sometimes it will chuff, then it won't? What I realy find strange it will make the chuffing sound on certain parts of the layout? I was thinking it could be poor current at the rails, but all of the other sounds will still work? None of my Pargon 1 engine's steamers have this problem.
2 Sound is very lack luster, not surprised by that with it's small tender. Would a better speaker's help? If they would, would any one here know the sizes and Ohm I would need?
I will give it this, darn thing tracks geat and pulls well!
Thank you for the coming answers.
Cuda Ken