Chuff Trigger Contacts On the Heisler

[wslogger]

Before I tear my Heisler (81799) apart to add Phoenix sound can anyone tell me if it has chuff trigger contacts built in or do I have to add them myself? I cannot find any mention of trigger contacts in the exploded view drawings or the wiring drawing.

[wslogger]

Thanks JD!  Unfortunately I cannot see the picture you posted.  Everytime I try to access it I get a popup asking for my username and password.  When I enter them nothing happens except the requester keeps coming back again asking for my username and password. Could you email me the picture at [email protected]?

[Curmudgeon]

The contacts are worthless for several reasons.
First, they are 90° opposed, and if they worked, they would be "chuff-chuff-blank-blank-chuff-chuff", etc.
Then, the "slack" in the driveline (rear) in gears and u-joints, allows the crank to "fall" as it passes TDC.

I use auto-chuff on these. With geared locos, once at speed, you ain't gonna tell.
I have seen folks TRY to put contacts on the driveshaft, but the slack still remains.
I also find that removing all the contacts and wiring eliminates a LOT of the "fall" of the crank after TDC, as there is no longer any contact "spring action" to propel the rod downwards.

The reason you cannot see the picture is it was LSOL, and "members only" windows popped up.

[Jon D. Miller]

wslogger.
Let's try this picture.



As I mentioned in my original post, now deleted, the two wires, that are twisted together, in the lower right hand corner of the picture are the chuff trigger wires.

Maybe this will work.  Sorry for the mixup.

JD

[wslogger]

Got the picture.  Thanks JD that really helps.  I saw those wires in the bunker of my Heisler but did not think they were the chuff triggers because they are red and black, and also because there are two pair.  I was looking for one pair of blue wires like the shay has.  I am going to try and make them work even with TOC's warning.  I really prefer triggered chuff sounds over the auto chuff.  Since Phoenix sound can be programmed to do two chuffs per trigger I am going to try that.

Regards,
Chuck Collins

[Curmudgeon]

Tried that, too.
Bottom line, you can rip a chuff unit out of an old 4-6-0 and tie the triggers together.
"Chuff Averaging" is even worse.
The more you play with those settings, the longer it takes the "chuff" to stop.
Time it sometime.
Come to all stop and watch the second hand on your watch to see how long it takes for the chuff to stop and the brake squeal to commence.

The secondary issue is the spring action against the piston rods.

Some gear trains have much more slack than others.
The double chuff option depends on an "averaging", and since speed plays a role in how rapidly the crank flips over TDC, you may not be happy.
The only sure-fire fix is to bypass the slack, and put contacts on an axle, and wire it up into the chassis.