Lionel VL GS2 Chuff Issue Repair/Fix

Nice work again sid. If mine fails I will be intouch. Love this engine. Its still in the box as it has been test run only. My curves at present are not big enough to run it yet.

Very interesting Sid. I do remember when these came out that there were some odd things in some of the versions but I don't remember the chuffs being one of them. Good solution to that problem, awesome.

Nice work Sid! Now you have me wondering how they did my GS-1.

Sid, is your 3D printed chuff cam 2 pieces that sandwhich around the axle or is it one piece? If one piece, are you pulling a driver to install it?

@Ryan Selvius posted:

Sid, is your 3D printed chuff cam 2 pieces that sandwhich around the axle or is it one piece? If one piece, are you pulling a driver to install it?

Mine are a two piece design. No pulling it wheels needed.

@Sid's Trains posted:

I got a Lionel VL GS2 in recently and it was having this funny issue. It was chuffing 5 times. Chuffs 1, 2, and 3 were fine. The fourth was a quick 4-5 instead of just a 4th chuff. After doing some digging I realized this engine does not use the traditional legacy flywheel encoder/software to generate a chuff. Instead it uses a hall effect style sensor and chuff cam setup on the axle. This was so bizarre to me as this is not standard on legacy models. This being VL, having reciprocating cylinder steam, and being the first of the new generation electronics makes me understand this move. However I don't like the inconsistency and cheap quality of the sensor and cam setup it had. The cam was loose on the axle, flimsy, and the sensor didn't align very well. So I took matters into my own hands and went old school. 3D printed chuff cam and a cherry switch. Works like a dream definitely and is more robust IMO. Once back together this engine once again is a stellar piece and a show stopper with all the features it has to offer.

Sid.    Great work.    My GS1 had an intermittent double chuff and periodically it would drop sound.       I sent it back to Lionel for repair.   My bad, once it was repaired I just put it back on the shelf and never retested it.      You can see the double chuff issue on my YouTube.     I’ll have to put it back on the track and test it.    

This should be shared with Lionel.