Whistle steam failure--am I expecting too much?

What do you mean "fail"?  Are you getting a blinking error code in the cab light or you're just not getting any smoke from the whistle?  Sometimes they need a little "blow" job on the whistle steam output hole to get their mind right.  Also, how much smoke fluid did you use?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

What do you mean "fail"?  Are you getting a blinking error code in the cab light or you're just not getting any smoke from the whistle?  Sometimes they need a little "blow" job on the whistle steam output hole to get their mind right.  Also, how much smoke fluid did you use?

I doubt he would get a blinking code in the cab on a MTH engine. 

@MartyE posted:

I doubt he would get a blinking code in the cab on a MTH engine.

OOPS, assumed Lionel!  I forget that MTH is starting to do the whistle steam.

Steaming whistle- can't infringe on Lionel naming......

I get it wrong too.

The main problem is users leave the heater engaged without adding fluid or they add too much (it’s a small single heater O gauge unit used in the SW switchers) that kills the fan motor and blows the FET on the smoking whistle board.

What is an FET?

FET - Field Effect Transistor

It's the part that switches the smoke motor on/off.

It sounds like it's time to simplify things and disconnect this feature. On the surface, it seems like a nice/fun feature, but after reading this, it's not worth the hassle to me. I unplugged the smoke units on my MTH diesels for the same reason.

This reminds me of the time my Dad asked his contractor about the cost to install a garbage disposal in our kitchen sink. He replied saying, "How many years have you lived without one?"

Thanks, everyone, for the advice.

The smoking whistle feature can only be activated in DCS and you have to hit two softkeys to do so.  In all other situations, the whistling smoke unit is unpowered.

Are you supposed to  activate the FSW soft key just before using the whistle? Or is it OK to leave the feature engaged so that the smoking whistle works at a moments notice.

My only advice is to always pony up for the garbage disposal 😆

@BlueComet400 posted:

It sounds like it's time to simplify things and disconnect this feature. On the surface, it seems like a nice/fun feature, but after reading this, it's not worth the hassle to me. I unplugged the smoke units on my MTH diesels for the same reason.

This reminds me of the time my Dad asked his contractor about the cost to install a garbage disposal in our kitchen sink. He replied saying, "How many years have you lived without one?"

Thanks, everyone, for the advice.

MTH PS3 locos run on DCS are my favorite locos and the smoke feature is my favorite feature. No way am I running them without the smoke.

I bet many of us feel the same way.

BlueComet400, I agree that the smoke can easily fail if the proper protocol is not followed. That is a different subject than this thread, so I won't go into it here.

Proper smoke protocol to keep our smoke units healthy and well will be the subject of another thread that I will start or resurrect. Arnold

On the Pacific's I noticed whenever I start a run, I have to turn it on with the softkey (FSW).

It does not remember my setting. 

Are you sure it is on?

The softkey will have a grey highlight if it is on.

These have 2 smoke units so you should be filling the one under the dome, in addition to main stack.

I am sure you are, but MTH instruction books are the worst and don't show this stuff so just checking because mine has been fine.

Our new garbage disposal (top brand, VERY quiet compared to the prior one!) is far more a 'keeper' than any smoke device on the steamers or diesels...period!

Gee, anyway you read it this thread has become all about garbage, apparently!