Where would one wire up a track voltage Seuthe smoke generator when wiring a steam engine up with a DCC/Sound system? Engine has a MRC steam sound decoder in it right now but I plan to upgrade to a Tsunami shortly. The Seuthe is set up for 14vt dc power but I dont like running it at full power and desire the ablity to turn it off. Could I wire it to a extra function feed wire, which has full track power when on, add a small resistor to drop the voltage a bit and remap the CV to be on in both directions when enabled? That way I can turn off the generator when I dont want to use it or have fluid for it. Thanks in advance. Mike
I don’t see why not.
However, The function output current needs to be of a value that will handle the smoke generator. So you need to find out how many ma (current) the smoke generator draws, then find out how many ma the function output has. If the smoke generators ma is higher than the current available from the function output, you risk blowing the decoder.
Something else to consider is whether the locomotive shell is plastic or metal – the Seuth contains a heating element that may get hot enough to melt plastic.
Smoke in model trains is a disappointment – looks more like a wispy white smoke off a cigarette than locomotive smoke, and leaves an oily film all over your track and scenery.
Some of the European decoders have a function output made for a smoke generator, and I think Seuthe has a low current smoke generator to go with this. A standard smoke generator will draw too much current to work with a typicla decoder function output directly - you will need a realy or similar to be controlled by the function output which then switches direct track power on and off to the smoke generator.
Definitely worry about heat melting any plastic. And the smoke oil does eventually degrade plastic shells, so you need to be careful filling it up and cleaning the residue off periodically.
The only ones that look halfway decent though are the blower-equipped smoke generaotrs in MTH and BLI locos. The slow constant smokers like the Seuthe ones do a good job of replicating a slow lazy fire for a standing loco or a structure.
–Randy
The generator is installed in a PFM Brass engine so no worries about melting the shell. I may put PFM sound on my small layout as I like to play around with older stuff, part of my enjoyment so to speak. My layout is all steam and all brass engines, all PFM other than one that I may or may not buy. I am well aware of the pros and cons of PFM sound VS DCC. So I dont need input there please. I will get out my meter and measure the draw on just the smoke generator as see if its within the specs for the function output. Worst case I just wire it directly to track power with voltage rectifier and dropping resistor for the 14vt AC track power when on DCC if I go that route. Mike
I have installed dozens of Seuthe smoke units for clients. There are several do’s and don’ts.
- Most Seuthe units draw over 125 mA. Most function outputs on decoders provide 100-120mA. If you try to directly power the smoke unit through the decoder, you will burn out the assigned function’s circuit in a very short time.
2.) The best way to provide the on/off function you desire is through a small micro relay switch. That way, you use the decoder function to control the relay and feed track power to the smoke unit through the relay and not the decoder. ESU makes a very good relay switch for this purpose.
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The Seuthe unit will work best at 12-16 volts. I do not recommend trying to reduce the voltage. The unit has to get hot at atomize the smoke oil. If the power is too low, it will simply spit blobs of the oil out the stack.
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Seuthe offers jacketed and non-jacketed units. If you plan to install the unit in a plastic model, you want the jacketed type. Otherwise, it will melt/deform the shell and stack area of the boiler shell.
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Never let the unit run dry of smoke oil. The tiny heat element will be destroyed in a matter of sec
I would also recommend installing a micro slide switch in the smoke generator circuit, like they provide on BLI locos, so that you cna switch it off, for the very reason given - running them dry will burn them out. Just relying on the function output to stay off is probably not a good idea - you can easily hit the wrong button, and never notice anything, or you could need to reset the decoder and alter the function response. Maybe not too likely, but cheap insurance. BLI has it because the decoder default setting is smoke on, and a CV modifications turns it off - reset the decoder puts it right back on.
–Randy