ERR chuff sound intermittant

This is pretty common on reed switch, magnet setups. The switch has only to move a ten of an inch to not sense the magnet. Most of us have gotten away from that type of chuff switch. Best try and move the switch a small amount to see if it improves. Being too close or too far can cause loss of chuff.

Pete

Welcome to the club Ron!    As Pete says, this issue annoyed me so much a few years ago I created the Chuff-Generator and banished the issue forever in my upgrades!

Pete is, of course, correct.  It's the spacing that's the issue.  Many times it's easier to move the magnets, if you try to move a reed switch that's glued down, you will frequently break the thin glass and then it's replacement time.  However, you can usually dislodge the magnets and reposition them.

In thinking about this issue, could the sound board be losing power?  You should have the steam idle sounds if the chuff disappears, the chuff switch would only affect the chuff sounds.

Most likely Pete has hit it on the head, but John is also correct, the sound board can lose power ( especially the common side)  ……..best to have all the commons and powers feed back & forth through the tether to ensure no power drop outs….if you’ve confirmed the power is not dropping out, then those pesky reed switch and magnets would be next to blame and most likely the cause,……John’s chuff stuff sounds like the next investment,….😉

Pat

My recent upgrades have John’s chuff generator.  This was done prior to it coming out (I think).  I’ll listen more closely, but I think all sounds were lost.

ADDED:  FYI, this was upgraded in 2014 about the time John was working on his board.  Need to get these early buys off the shelf and on the layout.

If all sounds are lost then its likely a board or connector problem. Reseat all the boards.

Pete

Thanks Norton.  I listened more closely and the engine sounds, though quiet, never stopped so it is a chuff issue.

I also looked at the magnets again and there were small flacks of metal on them, probably from cutting track.  Cleaned them off as best I could and the sound stoppage was less, but still present.  Any idea on how best to get that off the magnets?

Actually, it looks like it is time for another upgrade.

Totally different subject - I noticed as I'm writing this that I am offline.  Hope it lets me post.  ADDED - it did.

How much side to side play do the axles have? Wheels moving from side to side can cause this.

Pete

I am going to be upgrading a pair of 4-8-4 Northerns with CC, RS and Johns CG and SC boards. These are the early MTH premiers and from what it sounds like, I will be glad went this route.

@CAPPilot posted:

I also looked at the magnets again and there were small flacks of metal on them, probably from cutting track.  Cleaned them off as best I could and the sound stoppage was less, but still present.  Any idea on how best to get that off the magnets?                                                                                                                                                           I've had success getting small magnetic flakes off magnets with a good vacuum and small orifice adapter Ron.   Any   fine particles can be cleaned off with a swab with some oil .

I run a magnet car on the rails to get the magnetic flakes and I run a car with a MOOSOO vacuum ( posts from the Forum ) to pick up non magnetic metal flakes along with any oyher debris.

@CAPPilot posted:

Thanks Norton.  I listened more closely and the engine sounds, though quiet, never stopped so it is a chuff issue.

I also looked at the magnets again and there were small flacks of metal on them, probably from cutting track.  Cleaned them off as best I could and the sound stoppage was less, but still present.  Any idea on how best to get that off the magnets?

Actually, it looks like it is time for another upgrade.

I find that something like DUCT TAPE will grab flakes of metal off magnets pretty effectively.  However, I think your idea of an upgrade is well founded.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I find that something like DUCT TAPE will grab flakes of metal off magnets pretty effectively.  However, I think your idea of an upgrade is well founded.

Packing tape worked well.  Thanks.  I've got a couple engines that are higher priority before I re-look this one.  Right now it runs and sounds great, except for that occasional skip.

Gotta' have your priorities in line!