American Flyer - Smoke Unit

[richhotrain]

I opened up my smoke unit this afternoon to see why my smoke production was so poor.

The wick looked like a Charleston Chew candy bar.  LOL

Hey, what kind of quality control procedure was A.C. Gilbert following?

This thing was only 62 years old.  I expected better.  

I ordered a new wick and coil replacement.

This little sucker better smoke better now for all of my efforts.

Rich

[Major]

I have done one smoke unit but my results were so so at best. It works but not great.  When you remove the old wick do not remove the insulation that covers the metal walls of the well the coil sits in.  The wick may be stuck to the card stock insulation so caution is advised.  When threading the new wick down through the holes moisten the wick with smoke fluid and it will make the task easier.  Make sure that none of the coils touch and that the coil doesn't have too much extra wire between it and the solder posts on the cover.  This is where I goofed I left too much wire there.

[richhotrain]

Major

I have done one smoke unit but my results were so so at best. It works but not great.  When you remove the old wick do not remove the insulation that covers the metal walls of the well the coil sits in.  The wick may be stuck to the card stock insulation so caution is advised.  When threading the new wick down through the holes moisten the wick with smoke fluid and it will make the task easier.  Make sure that none of the coils touch and that the coil doesn't have too much extra wire between it and the solder posts on the cover.  This is where I goofed I left too much wire there.

Major,

Those are great points, thanks.

I ordered the wick from Portlines today.

Meanwhile, I have been reading and re-reading the installation instruction sheet so that I get it right.

I made a hard copy of the Portline instructions for reference.

I will make a hard copy of your comments as well.

Rich

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Dougs instructions are pretty good.  If you saturate the wick during assebly it will help later.  Some actualy enlarge the holes where the wick passes through for more fluid flow.  I have not done this butI may sometime as an experiment.

Look carefully at the coils around the wick and ensure thay do not over lap.  Then take the lead ends of wire and pass it several times through the eye of the lugs and a drop of solder to hold it in place.

Good Luck

Jim

[Anonymous]

Rich,

            After you remove the old wick and insulator box, do yourself a favor and drill those two holes out  a bit.  I can't remember what size bit I used, but it was the biggest size I could use to enlarge the holes without contacting the wall next to them.  Enlarging the holes makes life easier when threading the new wick to the lower chamber, and also improves output.  Be sure to check for overlap as Jim said.  Also, I have found that new elements sometimes need to be adjust for best results.  Check the resistance across the coil and remove turns if needed until the resistance is 30-40 ohms.  These range seems to provide great output and element life.

[richhotrain]

Sturgeon-Phish

Dougs instructions are pretty good.  If you saturate the wick during assebly it will help later.  Some actualy enlarge the holes where the wick passes through for more fluid flow.  I have not done this butI may sometime as an experiment.

Look carefully at the coils around the wick and ensure thay do not over lap.  Then take the lead ends of wire and pass it several times through the eye of the lugs and a drop of solder to hold it in place.

Good Luck

Jim

Jim,

Tell me what you mean when you say, ".....take the lead ends of wire and pass it several times through the eye of the lugs". 

 I am not sure what you mean by "pass it several times"  or what you mean by "the eye of the lugs".

Rich

[richhotrain]

green97probe

Rich,

            After you remove the old wick and insulator box, do yourself a favor and drill those two holes out  a bit.  I can't remember what size bit I used, but it was the biggest size I could use to enlarge the holes without contacting the wall next to them.  Enlarging the holes makes life easier when threading the new wick to the lower chamber, and also improves output.  Be sure to check for overlap as Jim said.  Also, I have found that new elements sometimes need to be adjust for best results.  Check the resistance across the coil and remove turns if needed until the resistance is 30-40 ohms.  These range seems to provide great output and element life.

Jim,

When you say, "  After you remove the old wick and insulator box....", do you mean remove the old wick from the insulator box?

You don't mean remove the insulator box, do you?

Rich

[richhotrain]

richhotrain

Sturgeon-Phish:

Dougs instructions are pretty good.  If you saturate the wick during assebly it will help later.  Some actualy enlarge the holes where the wick passes through for more fluid flow.  I have not done this butI may sometime as an experiment.

Look carefully at the coils around the wick and ensure thay do not over lap.  Then take the lead ends of wire and pass it several times through the eye of the lugs and a drop of solder to hold it in place.

Good Luck

Jim

 

Jim,

Tell me what you mean when you say, ".....take the lead ends of wire and pass it several times through the eye of the lugs". 

 I am not sure what you mean by "pass it several times"  or what you mean by "the eye of the lugs".

Rich

Jim,

Disregard that last question.  I re-read your comment as well as the installation instructions, and I get what you mean.

Rich

[Anonymous]

Rich,

          Yes, be sure the insulator is out before you enlarge the holes.

[richhotrain]

green97probe

Rich,

          Yes, be sure the insulator is out before you enlarge the holes.

Jim,

If I remove the insulator to enlarge the holes, can the insulator be put back in or will its removal damage it beyound repair?

Rich

[Anonymous]

Rich,

           Most of the time, they come out without issue.  Sometimes though, they are are a bit stubborn and will rip if you pull too hard.  They are available from parts dealers.