Bachmann Annie Chuff Cam

M

Moonraker

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I was helping a customer install a MyLocoSound soundcard in his Bachmann Annie today and connected it to the chuff cam. It then ran okay but I noted that it was doing only two chuffs per wheel revolution. On checking, I found that the Annie's chuff cam was closing only twice per revolution, not four times. I then checked some Annie videos on YouTube and saw that they did the same.

Did the prototype actually have single acting cylinders and hence did two chuffs per revolution or is the chuff cam wrong? If the latter, can it be fixed?

Regards
Peter Lucas
MyLocoSound
 
Hi Peter.

The only way you can get four beats per revolution is to add two metal strips on the axle with the timing drum. I used thin brass wire formed in a U shape with each short end sliding into small holes I drilled into the drum. Super glue the strip in place and then sand the glue off the contact surface with emery paper.
The near enough alternative I prefer is to use a reed switch and two rare earth magnets on a tender axle. The tender wheels are almost exactly half the size of the drivers.
 
The Anniversary 'sound' axles that I have played with were actually designed to take four contact strips. In their wisdom, Bachmann went with two strips only, giving two beats per revolution. I modified an axle by taking two strips from a spare axle and fitting, giving me four strips. A complete waste of time with the stock B'mann sound system, but most likely worth it with a decent system.

The main issue was that the beats were too close together and the stock B'mann sound did not seem to be able to generate the amount of static they call sound quick enough. The sound level dropped remarkedly. Complete waste of time.
 
A mate asked me to fit a Phoenix sound system to a Bachmann "Annie".
Ater a while I gave up on the Bachmann chuff trigger and fitted magnets and a reed switch. I used Bachmann's wiring and connectors so that wasn't the problem.
I also noted that Phoenix tactfully state in their relevant installation notes "We also supply a reed switch and axle magnets with your kit in case you prefer the maintenance free axle magnet/reed switch configuration".
 
Moonraker said:
I was helping a customer install a MyLocoSound soundcard in his Bachmann Annie today and connected it to the chuff cam. It then ran okay but I noted that it was doing only two chuffs per wheel revolution. On checking, I found that the Annie's chuff cam was closing only twice per revolution, not four times. I then checked some Annie videos on YouTube and saw that they did the same.
Did the prototype actually have single acting cylinders and hence did two chuffs per revolution or is the chuff cam wrong? If the latter, can it be fixed?
Click to expand...
Looks like you'll have to make a modification to your soundcard program Peter, to allow for doubling the chuff rate.
 
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