No Smoke from engine

[Peaway]

I am real new at this, just bought my first train in March. I first ran it off  an 80 watt transformer. With the transformer, I got very little smoke from the engine. When I hooked up to the TMCC, it really puffed out the smoke for about a two days and now it doesn't smoke at all. Don't know if I am doing something wrong and is it possible that going to the TMCC mode burn out the smoker?

The engine is a makado 2-8-2 trainmaster with railsounds II. Hope this all makes sense, don't have a clue about what I have gotten into but so far it has been fun.

 

[jmkk]

When you were using the 80 watt transformer you were running in conventional. In conventional the speed of the train is varied using the handle on the transformer.Therefore the voltage to the track was much less than when running it in TMCC mode(lower or variable voltage = less smoke). When running in TMCC the voltage was set to 18 volts or there abouts. The TMCC board in the engine gives the smoke unit the full 18 volts when you have it on (constant 18 volts= more smoke)

Are you sure you have the smoke unit turned on? There is a manual switch on the steam engine you may have inadvertently turned off. Also make sure you turn it in in TMCC mode using the hand held. 

Have you been keeping the smoke unit full? About 10-15 drops of smoke fluid when you notice the smoke output diminish. If it got too dry there is a possibility it burned up. Dont worry its a fairly easy repair.

Hope this helps. If not just continue to ask questions some body will help you out.

[Peaway]

Thanks. I was just putting 4 to 5 drops with the transformer and didn't  increase the amount when I went to the TMCC. I must have burned it up. Glad to know it's not a big problem.

[wmwalker]

Make sure that from the Cab1 you did not turn off the smoke unit by mistake. Press aux1 then 9 turns it on and aux1 then 8 turns it off. Address the engine first then try the aux1 then 9. Maybe you did not burn up the smoke unit.

[Peaway]

I did what you suggested, still no smoke. The train shop where I bought the train has order a new smoke unit for me. Thanks for your help. 

 

[laz 57]

PEAWAY,

  to the forum.  As others have stated to keep fluid in the engine and also sometimes an air bubble forms in it and must be cleared out.  A quick blow of air from your mouth usually does the trick.  Or get a soda straw and blow down the stack.  Hope you get it puffing again?

laz57

[dougdagrump]

Another couple of recommendations to consider:

> at end of operations, if the engine is stored in an upright position, add smoke fluid.

> when adding smoke fluid shut the engine down and allow the fluid to soak in for a couple of minutes. Fan driven smokers can blow some of it rite back out.

And also to the forum !