I hate Chuff Switches!!!

Search GRJ's thread about the optical chuff switch.  

My next project I want to try his idea.  

Very interesting--

https://ogrforum.com/t...optical-chuff-switch

Scott Smith

Get in touch with Alex M. regarding a reed switch and magnets, he's done several niagaras and made them the correct 4 chuffs per revolution.

He has also added the Hennings "super chuffer" mod for more realistic smoke with superior output.

Heres Alex's video:

Scott: After modifying 4 locos last Fall/Winter with magnets and cherry switches for 4 chuffs, your post is most disturbing.  I don't want to go through those tedious procedures anytime soon.  The royal pain for me was positioning and adhering the switch.  Hopefully Gunner John and Alex will add to the discussion.  BTW, how many locos are causing your grief? What brand and model switches were you using? 

pennsynut -

I believe that the primary discussion concerns the mechanical micro-switches mounted in the loco and activated by cams or linkage, not the magnetic reed switches typically found in upgrade kits.

I have put in many of the magnetic reed switches that you mention, and it is seldom enjoyable, though it does vary from loco to loco (I had to actually add a part to the bolster of my Williams brass Niagara's front tender truck - nowhere to stick the switch).

These could also be used to replace the mechanical switches above; route the same wire to the new switch - but, this can involve tethers and such. Four magnets on a driver can be a solution, but has its own issues.

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I use Walther's GOO to adhere my reed switches, typically. It's grabby, and I use a minimal amount when first positioning the switch, let it cure overnight and test the next day. Easy to move if wrong; if correct, I add some more Goo for a permanent attachment.

This generally works. Still a tedious process.

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There is a software solution for chuff rates, even adjustable ones, that TMCC, etc.,

could do with coding and some keystrokes. But, it has yet to appear, and I don't know why.

I'm a retired computer programmer (mainframe, though) and I know that the data must be available.  

I'm not a big fan of those cherry switches either. They never seem to work very well, and if they do they don't last long.

-Eric

I'm all ears, as I don't know of any software solution that's available, or even possible. Perhaps that's why it hasn't appeared.

The chuffs have to be tied to the rotation of the wheels, or at least something in the drivetrain, the motor flywheel also comes to mind.  However, there has to be hardware involved no matter where you detect the rotation of the running gear.  I agree that you can enhance the effect with software, hence my Super-Chuffer.

I've toyed with the idea of a sensor and tach strip on the flywheel, but there are so many varieties of motors and mounts to consider.  Also, you have to then account for the different gear ratios, as well as the different flywheel diameters when generating your tach tape.  Finally, you need some smarts to convert anything you get from the flywheel sensor to driver rotations so you can generate the chuffs at the correct rate.  I suspect that would be harder than the optical encoder I currently use for sensing the driver rotation, which is why I've never taken it any farther.

I want whatever Rick O has on THAT engine!!!!Nick

D500:  I stand corrected.  I confused cherry switch with reed switch in the opening conversation and even in my initial post.    For the locos I operated on, I placed the magnets on the drivers and reed switch on the chassis.  One of my other locos had 4 chuffs added via magnets and reed switch on the tender.  So far so good.

I've always used 4 magnets on the back of a driver and a magnetic reed switch on my own conversions.  I've done over 30 of them and they all work great, some have been running for 15 years.

I'm very interested in grj optical solution myself and I also want to use his super chuffer with my mods!

Doug

I think it would be wise to watch what GRJ is working with.  I always stayed clear of TMCC with two chuffs.  I am a huge fan of the new Legacy boards.