Williams and DC comander

You would want the DC or Cruise Commander. I would suggest using a Cruise Commander, using a DC commander is the same as running your engine with a transformer only you are using a remote. you will still have to compensate for grades.

  When you have the cruise set, the engine will maintain set speed. Hope this helps.

Bill

In simple terms, you engine takes the AC and changes it to DC to run the DC can motor.

Gene Anstine

Get the Cruise Commander as Boxcar Bill suggests. I have done several of these conversions and they work fantastic. The original reverse units in the Williams units have a rectifier that converts the AC to DC for the DC can motors. The Cruise Commander also have a rectifier in them also.

Plus...getting the Cruise Commander effectively gives you a TMCC engine, if you also get a sound module you'll be all set for Command Control!

I had the Cruise Commander in my WBB E7, but have since taken it out and installed it in my old Railking RS3 and added the sound module.  I plan on getting another set to put back in my E7.

Thanks for the info I thought that was the case. I am going to try installing probably the dc commander and sound card to start with in the PA. I have 5 engines that I will be doing and money is a little tight. I might go for the cruise on the rest later, I just got my 990 legacy but have no engines to try it with, This will be the first. 

That F3 lash up looks great thanks for sharing. 

Again Thanks everyone for the info

Gary

I have ordered my cruise commander and sound module from ERR I would also like to add smoke, What do I need for a smoke unit, will a lionel fan driven smoke unit hook up to the cruise commander and are they readily available

You can use a Lionel smoke unit.  You can drive it directly from the smoke output of the Cruise Commander.

Thank you this forum has a lot of wonderful people and is a wealth of info especially for dummies like me. and I have one more question I noticed that lionel has several different fan driven smoke units, is there one in particular that other people use or does it matter which one I get?

You could use a 610-4537-200 or a 610-8057-200. There are others but this might be the easiest to start with. If you check our web we have them at discount prices. We also have the connectors for east hook-up.

Bill

I normally look at the dimensions and pick one that looks like it'll fit.  Since I have an assortment of them in stock, I just fumble through the smoke unit box to find the correct choice.

This one lists for $30 and will do the trick.  Since it's narrow, it'll fit as long as the length isn't too long.

EDIT: I see Bill suggested that one, he's a good source as he discounts it and also won't charge the Lionel shipping amount.

This is another style, but I don't find these as universal a fit.

Besides the smoke unit dimensions, one is wider than the other, the other more important issue (in my mind) is location of the smoke stack and type.

Most cases you have to manufacture a suitable stack or order one that you think will fit.

Also watch for ohms.  The ones that run on track power have the 27ohm, the other are meant for use with ACREG and have 6 or 8 ohm smoke elements.  These will need to be changed out.

I keep a selection of stacks, and also various brass tube sizes and make a custom stack for the application.  Diesels can be more of a challenge especially dual stack models.   G

I've just ordered the 8057-200 from BB and will try it out. There is quite a bit of room in the PA unit for everything. As far as the stack goes it is in the middle of the engine (more or less) and if need be I can manufacture a brass stack. I have been a tool and die maker all my life plus modeling gives me a little advantage when it comes to making special parts.

  Thank you all for all the help I am so glad I found this forum.

Thanks again

Gary

I am trying to position everything in the engine and I realize I don't know where the smoke unit should be mounted. Does the smoke unit mount to the body or the chassis of the engine? 

You can mount it to either, typically it's easier to mount to the shell as you don't have to worry about alignment of the stack when you put the shell on the frame.  Remember, however you mount it, you'll eventually have to take it out to change the wick, so don't do a permanent mounting!