Newer Lionel Smoke Units

[sarpilot]

Has anyone else had bad luck with the smoke units in TMCC and  Legacy engines? Just bought a used, low time TMCC Mikado from my local hobby store and had the thing home for two days when the smoke unit went out. It was working great but I then noticed no smoke output at all. I stopped the train and put in more fluid but no result. I did notice a burned smell from the stack. I don't like over filling the smoke units that I have because the excess gets on the track. I usually wait until the smoke output gets low then refill the unit. This is the second time that its happened to me. About three years ago I purchased a brand new Legacy GP-7/9 and the smoke unit went out within a couple of weeks. The warranty covered the repair. Am I doing something wrong? I'm getting hesitant about using the smoke units on my newer locos to avoid burning them out. I have had no such problem with my MTH units. The smoke units work like a champ. The same goes for all my post was steamers and they are all over 60 years old. Is Lionel just letting the Chinese supplier use cheap low grade heater elements? I do notice the difference between the MTH smoke units and the Lionel's. The output of the MTH's are much greater. Is it a design flaw by Lionel? Any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.    THANKS STEVE

[Drive Rod]

I think they are cheap elements Steve. When I was  a kid I would run my scout 2x4 loco dry constantly, but when ever I put smoke fluid in it, it smoked. It was a hard lesson to learn not to do with my TMCC 1998 LA3 Mohawk steam loco which burned out 2 steam units before I learned you had to keep fluid in them. By the way, my LA3 was the last premium locomotive Lionel made in America. Now I am paranoid to run steam locos smoking with the lights out because I can't see what the current output is. I have to shut smoking off. It seems that it ought to be possible to make them sturdy enough or with electronic safety circuits to prevent burnout. And Lionel ought to at least make smoke units easily replaceable and produce a continuous supply of repalcement smoke units for all locomotives even the most high end complex locomotives to keep them smoking and their value up.

Drive Rod Dave

[sarpilot]

Thanks Dave, I guess I'm not the only one. It just so happens that the lights were out when it fried. I just installed two new light towers on the layout and it looks really cool as a night scene. Guess I'll have to do the same and keep the smoke units off at "night".

 

R/ STEVE

[KRM]

Steve, Don't feel lonely it is not just the high end TMCC and  Legacy engines. I have a conventional Dockside that has had 3 units to date. I have even changed the element to a more robust one but by doing that you lose smoke volume.I also add quarts wool in place of the fiberglass so the element will stay wet longer. At least it quit burning out. But smoke output is poor at best.