Massoth 8413501 DCC Pulsed Smoke Generator questions

[idlemarvel]

I have one of the square shaped pulsed smoke generators not the fancy new rounded ones. I am trying to fit to my LGB Meyer 0-4-4-0T which is proving a challenge in terms of finding room for it, but more on that later. The smoke generator has three sets of leads from the device and one socket with lead to plug into it. My understanding so far is that one set of leads from the device is for track power, which connect to the motor decoder (Massoth XL in my case), and the socket is to receive the pulse from your chosen source (in my case I'm going to use output A6 from Massoth XL decoder). What I can't figure out from the manual is what is the purpose of the other two leads, and are they optional. One is called pulsed output and I'm guessing this is to feed some other optional device like a sound card, or maybe a second smoke generator? The other is called bus interface and I'm guessing this is to pick up load control from a SUSI bus from the motor decoder or maybe it is for updating the bullt-in decoder? On my Massoth XL the SUSI interface is used for a Uhlenbrock IS3 sound module Can I just leave these two leads unplugged? I've read the manual several times and searched the Massoth website but nothing quite answers these questions. Thanks for any further insight.

 

[Neil Robinson]

I think you'll find that there are some redundant leads, there certainly were some when I installed a couple of the low voltage versions for analogue use.
From memory the wiring is designed to be an easy fit in a loco previously (factory?) fitted with a sound chip. The wire from the pulse sensor is unplugged from the sound chip and connected to the smoke unit wiring. Another of the smoke unit wires then plugs into the sound decoder.

 

[PhilP]

Hi Dave,
Yes, not as easy to physically fit as you would expect, are they!

Connect the power leads to track power.. I use a pair of miniature slide switches, hidden somewhere, so I can turn off the motor decoder, or the smoke decoder, to make programming a little less hazardous! - Yes, I *know* you can lock the Massoth decoders, but you can't beat a physical switch for isolation!!

You can ignore the SUSI wires..

You get a socket, and lead, to enable you to 'pass through' pulses from a axle pulse generator (say) to the smoker, and then a sound card. As you have you sound via SUSI (as I read your post) you will only need to connect your pulse output to the smoker.

HTH
PhilP.
<edit: Was typing whilst Neil was.. Think we compliment each other..>

 

[muns]

The 3pin socket on the PSU is for the "chuff" input. If you have a wheel sensor, it should plug in here, if not use the supplied 3pin cable to connect to the chuff simulation on your decoder.

The 2 way cable from the PSU is for track power, Connect them to the Track+/- on your decoder.
The 4way SUSI cable should be connected to the SUSI port of your decoder in order to receive "load information" this allows the smoke unit to generate more smoke when the loco is under heavy load and less when it is not. If you have a sound decoder connected to the decoder's SUSI port it can be left off or you can use an adapter board (Massoth 8312079 SUSI to SUSI adaptor: http://gardenrailoutlet.co.uk/massoth-susi-to-susi-adaptor-board ) to connect both.

 

[idlemarvel]

Excellent, thanks Mark, Neil and Phil, you have confirmed my guesswork!

And yes Phil it is going to be tricky to find the space, I'm going to have either remove or substantially trim the front ballast weight. And thanks for the tip regarding inserting a switch. I'll update this post when I have something working.