Smoke Unit Instructions - ESU version 3.5
The smoke unit must be setup for stand alone operation, NOT in conjunction with its companion battery and timer/charger circuit as used on DC layouts.
Your DCC decoder must have two spare function outputs, one to drive the heater unit and the other to drive the fan. In addition to the smoke unit and DCC decoder you will also need a zero cross over AC relay. Available from RS components, Stock No 244-9019 These relays operate in a similar way to traditional relays, except that they are specifically designed to switch AC power which they guarantee to do at the 0v cross over point, something that cannot be guaranteed with traditional DC mechanical relays. Other advantages are:- Physically very small, almost silent in operation, no moving parts. |
It is suggested that the relay is mounted on a small piece of Vero board or similar and connections made to the board rather than the pins of the device directly.The output from the decoder that is to power the heaters should be configured to pulse mode with as long a duration as possible, preferably with a longer off time than on time.
The heaters will take a little longer to reach operating temperature but due to the cyclic action will remain warm if left on. The heaters can be switched off at any time simply by turning off the function output on the decoder as you would for lights or sounds etc.
The output from the decoder that is to power the smoke unit fan should be “dimmed” to the maximum amount possible. Failure to do so will result in the motor running very fast which may damage both the motor and decoder.
The heaters will take a little longer to reach operating temperature but due to the cyclic action will remain warm if left on. The heaters can be switched off at any time simply by turning off the function output on the decoder as you would for lights or sounds etc.
The output from the decoder that is to power the smoke unit fan should be “dimmed” to the maximum amount possible. Failure to do so will result in the motor running very fast which may damage both the motor and decoder.
Thanks to Simon Varnam for this information