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RailPro => RailPro Specific Help & Discussion => Topic started by: algae on March 15, 2025, 05:54:09 PM

Title: Chuff wiring on an LGB Mikado
Post by: algae on March 15, 2025, 05:54:09 PM
Hi,

I'm converting an LGB Mikado and have questions about the chuff wiring.

It appears that there are a black and brown wire coming off the motor block that is likely to be the chuff circuit.  A friend of mine converted a Mikado some years ago and insists that the chuff signal only requires one wire.

The chuff signal is generated by 4 little magnets on the rear-most drive wheel rotating past a magnet mounted on the motor block.

Is the chuff circuit two wires or one wire?  Does it have polarity?  My guess is two wires, no polarity.
Title: Re: Chuff wiring on an LGB Mikado
Post by: gregeusa on March 15, 2025, 08:22:15 PM
weird, most LGB use a hall effect switch... and it is 3 leads... can you see where the wires connect?
Title: Re: Chuff wiring on an LGB Mikado
Post by: algae on March 16, 2025, 11:47:46 AM
It could be a Hall effect switch - there are two three-wire plugs coming off the motor block.  If it is, how can I tell which of the wires is positive, negative, ground?  And will I blow it up if I wire it wrong?

20250315_190335.jpg
Title: Re: Chuff wiring on an LGB Mikado
Post by: algae on March 16, 2025, 02:57:07 PM
Here's the board.
20250316_125030.jpg
Title: Re: Chuff wiring on an LGB Mikado
Post by: gregeusa on March 16, 2025, 08:42:39 PM
Contact one of the LGB dealers and you might get a schematic.  If hall effect it is power, ground, and "signal"

Yes, hook it up wrong and you usually kill it.

Greg
Title: Re: Chuff wiring on an LGB Mikado
Post by: gregeusa on March 17, 2025, 02:50:04 PM
looks like you may have posted your question on LargeScaleCentral... and no responses...

Not a lot of LGB experts there...

Try reading this thread: https://largescalecentral.com/t/sound-for-a-lgb-mogul/71198/12?page=2

Dan Pierce is very experienced on LGB, try messaging him  (he posted on that thread)

some more info here: https://www.mylargescale.com/threads/lgb-digital-sound.23651/

Or, contact a dealer as I recommented... "All about trains" is an LGB dealer, as well as "Train Li"...

Greg

Title: Re: Chuff wiring on an LGB Mikado
Post by: algae on March 17, 2025, 04:48:08 PM
Thanks - I tracked Dan back to Trainli and called them, and the people there had a pinout for an earlier board, and between that and some mutual head-scratching I think we have it figured out.  Appreciate the pointer.
Title: Re: Chuff wiring on an LGB Mikado
Post by: gregeusa on March 18, 2025, 10:40:39 AM
Great... I am also on MyLargeScale.com most days.

Let us know how you get along, I could perhaps post your solution on my site... (help others in the future)...

Greg
Title: Re: Chuff wiring on an LGB Mikado
Post by: algae on March 18, 2025, 03:08:50 PM
Funny thing, I didn't know when I started that there's an auto-chuff feature and I don't actually need the chuff wire.  It works just fine.  I got the Mikado running on the bench without chuff wired in and the sound works just fine.

I'll drop you all my wiring notes when I'm done with the conversion just so the next person doesn't have to go through all the drama.
Title: Re: Chuff wiring on an LGB Mikado
Post by: donsweet on March 28, 2025, 10:02:49 AM
Hi Guys, yes I have blow up those hall effect sensors. I have a Mikado today being converted and just went with auto chuff.

I would like to test the LGB chuff sensor to hear how it works. Anybody that has the three wire directions please pass along.