Massoth 8413102 pulsed smoke generator - analog

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DavidCeng

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This is sound very old school ... but.... I use on board battery R/C, which is obviously DC. I use Fosworks which has great functionality equal to DCC for my needs. I have the capability to program an Arduino Nano. So far, I have ascertained that if I connect the motor to the 'track power supply' input to the smoke unit then smoke will be produced. However, can the unit cope with +/- and then -/+ (reversing)? This is not really a problem because I can use a Nano with a MOSFET to create smoke using +/-. The advantage is I can program the Nano to vary the smoke volume according to speed. The issue I have is the 'clock sensor' input. It has three wires. Does anyone know if the wire labelled 'not connected' is actually used ie is this say 5volt positive? Otherwise does the hall effect sensor 'short' the 'clock in' to GND? But this needs a supply the the hall effect detector. I can see that using DCC that the decoder might operate the fan speed using different voltages. I assume this is PWM but I do not know the frequency?
My questions are:
1. to create smoke confirm I can use a straight DC (6-14.4 volts) onto the 'track power' cable?
2. how can the fan be operated without DCC?
 
Your DC voltages are within those that the smoke generator can cope with.

Supply polarity into the 'track power' leads is not a problem.

You can use a Massoth hall effect sensor to trigger 'chuffs'.

You will need access to a DCC system, if you wish to change any of the operating parameters of the smoke unit. - Except for those controlled by the two DIP switches, obviously.

PhilP
 
PhilP,

Thank you for your reply. I am a little disappointed. One would not expect an item marketed as analogue still needed DCC input. I have built a 'smoke' system using water via an ultrasound atomiser, operated by a Nano which in turn monitors the rotation (speed, cylinder action etc) and simultaneously sends a signal to the sound card.
Please forgive my lack of DCC knowledge. It appears to me that reading the coding of the DCC decoder sends either a DC or PWM voltage to the smoke unit which operates the fan speed. Also Massoth hall effect sensor 'sends' two pulses per rotation, polarity N>S and S>N. This means on a 4 pulses per revolution the 'steam' pulse will always be delayed for one complete revolution.
This is all immaterial at the moment. If I knew the voltage of the fan I would isolate it and use the Nano to control it.

You will probably guess I am not defeated easily, but I am grateful for your input.

David
 
PhilP said:
Your DC voltages are within those that the smoke generator can cope with.

Supply polarity into the 'track power' leads is not a problem.

You can use a Massoth hall effect sensor to trigger 'chuffs'.

You will need access to a DCC system, if you wish to change any of the operating parameters of the smoke unit. - Except for those controlled by the two DIP switches, obviously.

PhilP
Click to expand...
Howdy, I know this is old but it pertains to my issue. When I apply track power I get great smoke but the fan is steady. You mentioned a sensor for the chuffs? What leads do those connect to and is it just looking for a closed circuit to trigger a puff? Can I trigger it with the chuff collar on my big hauler axel? Thank you
 
I have looked into this in greater detail and I think I can get around this. I think that a mini-processor can be used to mimic the DCC input.
However, I still find in extremely biased for products to be made to use DCC only. People like me who scratch build and use battery on board R/C are prevented from making decent models. There are still a lot of DC users around!
Also frankly DCC systems are so very expensive for those starting up in the hobby. I feel that all of us should appreciate that, and make products more flexible with this in mind.
 
DavidCeng said:
I have looked into this in greater detail and I think I can get around this. I think that a mini-processor can be used to mimic the DCC input.
However, I still find in extremely biased for products to be made to use DCC only. People like me who scratch build and use battery on board R/C are prevented from making decent models. There are still a lot of DC users around!
Also frankly DCC systems are so very expensive for those starting up in the hobby. I feel that all of us should appreciate that, and make products more flexible with this in mind.
Click to expand...
There are on board battery DCC systems, Fosworks do one and others in USA. Yes more expence as it is an additional board to the DCC chip but well worth it for a good loco otive.
 
The onboard track power wires with the bare ends go to track power. On the socket for clock in from left to right, the first two wires I have connected to the axel chuff collar on a big hauler. The last wire is not used. When you apply track power the fan starts steady and it smokes. When you tap the fist two wires on the clock in plug, it causes the fan to pulse, then go back to steady.
 
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