The smoke unit in my new Aristocraft Pacific steam locomotive works for a minute or two and then stops. I understand this is a common problem with these units as has been reported here and elsewhere. The thing is, I also have several other Aristocraft locomotives (Dash 9s), and the smoke units don't work much better on them either.
What I would like to do is at least get smoke working on the Aristocraft Pacific.
I am powering these locomotives with 18.5v or 22v batteries, using QSI Titan decoders and G Wire receivers. Is it possible that the Aristocraft smoke units don't respond well to constant high voltages used in DCC? Has anyone been able to get an Aristocraft smoke unit to work for more than 5 minutes using battery power with DCC? If so, what size battery did you use? Is there some other modification that works.
Also, I have a USA Trains Cupola Caboose with a smoke unit. Would it be possible to substitute that for the smoke unit in the Aristocraft Pacific? Is there any other smoke unit that can easily be substituted for the Aristocraft unit in the Pacific? (I see that some people have used Harbor Models units, but that seemed like a difficult process; I was wondering if there was an easier "plug n play" option.)
Finally, is it possible to power either an Aristocraft or USA Trains smoke unit by a separate battery with its own switch, completely independent of the engine or decoder circuitry? If so, what size battery would be best for that?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Rod
PS Many thanks for all the help I have received here in setting up my railroad. It has proved invaluable!
What I would like to do is at least get smoke working on the Aristocraft Pacific.
I am powering these locomotives with 18.5v or 22v batteries, using QSI Titan decoders and G Wire receivers. Is it possible that the Aristocraft smoke units don't respond well to constant high voltages used in DCC? Has anyone been able to get an Aristocraft smoke unit to work for more than 5 minutes using battery power with DCC? If so, what size battery did you use? Is there some other modification that works.
Also, I have a USA Trains Cupola Caboose with a smoke unit. Would it be possible to substitute that for the smoke unit in the Aristocraft Pacific? Is there any other smoke unit that can easily be substituted for the Aristocraft unit in the Pacific? (I see that some people have used Harbor Models units, but that seemed like a difficult process; I was wondering if there was an easier "plug n play" option.)
Finally, is it possible to power either an Aristocraft or USA Trains smoke unit by a separate battery with its own switch, completely independent of the engine or decoder circuitry? If so, what size battery would be best for that?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Rod
PS Many thanks for all the help I have received here in setting up my railroad. It has proved invaluable!