Question on MTH synchronized smoke

[jbholt1]

I bought a used MTH USRA Light Mikado engine on ebay, primarily because of the synchronized smoke feature. I run a Digitrax Loconet layout. The engine chuffs and smokes, but erratically. That is, it does not seem synchronized to the driver wheels. I cannot access the function key to set it to "labor chuff" since I only have 12 function keys available now. (Sent my DT 400 to Digitrax for an upgrade to 402 but have not received it yet.) I suspect the MTH engine may be set in "drift chuff", but not sure. Tried resetting to default using CV 55 = 55 but no change in chuff rate. Anyone know what might be going on? Everything on the engine is fine except the chuff rate. I read that the rate can be set anywhere from 1 chuff per revolution to 16, but it seems to require the use of DCS controller, which I don't care to invest in for a single engine. I think I must be stuick in the void between DCS and DCC.

Maybe I should buy a BLI with sync-smoke.

 

[irocinblue89]

Tried resetting to default using CV 55 = 55 but no change in chuff rate. Anyone know what might be going on? Everything on the engine is fine except the chuff rate. I read that the rate can be set anywhere from 1 chuff per revolution to 16, but it seems to require the use of DCS controller, which I don't care to invest in for a single engine. I think I must be stuick in the void between DCS and DCC.

Maybe I should buy a BLI with sync-smoke.

In order to reset an MTH follow these instructions: Put the loco on the main, call up address 55 (another words loco 55), select some sort of ops programing and set CV 55 to a value of 55. Keep in mind that it is changing loco # 55. That is MTH's way of reset. If you are doing that already then call them and see if you can send it to them but be prepared for a long turn around time.