Weaver Brass Torpedo Upgraded to PS-32

Hey GGG, 

thanks for all the help in the past with my coal turbine!!  Quick question, I have a Williams brass Big Boy and cab forward and also a 1st run Big Boy from 3rd rail.  Any simple way to add chuffing smoke on some quality to them?  All are on Ott Machine sound for sound (you remember that company?), Seuthe smoke at present in all.

O gauger

Great work as always. Question, I believe I noticed on the last Weaver upgrade you did, a Milwaukee Road 4-6-4, and correct if I missed something but did you use double stick foam or glue to mount the smoke unit  in there?

Thanks for your time

Apart from accessories and your time, how much is the cost of the MTH upgrade compared to roughly $210 from ERR.   The only tangible advantage seems to be the superior electronics involved in smoke production on MTH models....something GRJ has remedied for us ERR installers.

I recently took a pass on a Weaver K4 Torpedo, something I deeply regret now.  I had been in the middle of upgrading the Weaver F7 Hiawatha and needed more projects like I need a poke in the eye.  Still, a few months later, and I can't forget that patina rich Torpedo.

Bruce

o gauger posted:

Hey GGG, 

thanks for all the help in the past with my coal turbine!!  Quick question, I have a Williams brass Big Boy and cab forward and also a 1st run Big Boy from 3rd rail.  Any simple way to add chuffing smoke on some quality to them?  All are on Ott Machine sound for sound (you remember that company?), Seuthe smoke at present in all.

O gauger

 

Fan driven smoke can be added, but chuffing smoke would need a control system like TMCC with Super chuffer or PS-2/3 to get that effect.  Otherwise a crude reed switch to turn fan on and off, but it would not be as good as a command engine.   G

milwrd posted:

Great work as always. Question, I believe I noticed on the last Weaver upgrade you did, a Milwaukee Road 4-6-4, and correct if I missed something but did you use double stick foam or glue to mount the smoke unit  in there?

Thanks for your time

No, That is a 3M double side tape used to ensure the top of the smoke unit PCB stay isolated from the shell since it was a close fit.  It also does help hold in position, but as the chassis goes in, the weight was in line to apply pressure and hold smoke unit in place.

Brass engines do not provide easy methods to mount the smoke.  Each on seems different depending on how the chassis and shell are constructed and where the lead weight is.  G

brwebster posted:

Apart from accessories and your time, how much is the cost of the MTH upgrade compared to roughly $210 from ERR.   The only tangible advantage seems to be the superior electronics involved in smoke production on MTH models....something GRJ has remedied for us ERR installers.

I recently took a pass on a Weaver K4 Torpedo, something I deeply regret now.  I had been in the middle of upgrading the Weaver F7 Hiawatha and needed more projects like I need a poke in the eye.  Still, a few months later, and I can't forget that patina rich Torpedo.

Bruce

 

Bruce, The MTH PS-3 kit is $200.  The ERR is $210 for Cruise and sounds only.  If you want super chuffer and adjustable chuff you have to add $60 and $30 for John's electronics; plus misc for required lights.  So parts alone are $200 versus $300.  Straight labor for ERR no smoke would be less, but labor for the full ERR with John's Electronics would be the same.  Plus the headache of isolating the tender for TMCC antenna.  Some installations are easy, other tenders are not.  I have had to isolate drawbars because it was mounted to tender shell on some models, cut and grind on frames because of interference fit that could not be isolated easily.  Sometimes it is Kapton tape and nylon washers and screws.  So it does vary.

In the end I charge at set fee and usually have plenty of extra hrs in the project that are not billable.  E-mail me if you want a direct quote for a specific model.  I have done PS and ERR on 3rd Rail, Weaver, Williams Brass, and ERR on MTH Die cast, and PS on Lionel and K-Line Die cast.   G

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer, G!

I apologize for the tardy response and if my question looked like a request for your services....the first paragraph answered all I needed to know...and then some.  With the substantial difference in price, an MTH upgrade is sure looking desirable these days.  I'll keep that in mind when another engine needing an upgrade comes by.

Now I need to find the topic about the Lionel/K-Line A5...somebody else needs thanking.

Bruce

George,

I think we are doing some work for the same customer.  Here is a Weaver brass engine I did.  I wish I took more photos of the rest of the wiring.  It came out pretty nice.  I soldered on these brass wings to mount the tether socket.

I hope you don't mind that I posted these in your thread.  I can delete it if you like.

Dave