Hello Forum,
I saw a post about this awhile ago but can't find it tonight. I wanted to know how I would go about increasing the smoke output on my PW steamers; without using fan units.
Thank you!
The simplest way is to use Mega Steam smoke fluid. Make sure your smoke unit is up to par. Some people convert to a liquid smoke unit but then you can't use pellets anymore and you WILL burn out the element if you do not keep fluid in it or install a switch to shut it off. I don't convert mine and they smoke great with fluid. You then can run with no smoke if you want.
Roger
One way to increase smoke is to increase the voltage to the smoke unit. You can do that by reducing the voltage to the motor. Then the track voltage, which is what the smoke unit is running at, will be higher for the same train speed.
To reduce the motor voltage, wire anti-parallel pairs of diodes in series with the motor. A convenient way to do this uses bridge rectifier modules, which contain 4 diodes. Connect the + and - terminals together. Then wire the ~ terminals in series with the motor, for about 1 volt reduction per module.
Bob Nelson
I agree with Roger.
I use Mega Steem in my 681 and it smokes great. I still have the pellet unit in it.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Replace the nichrome heater element with one of those resistor based smoke unit rebuilld kits found from most postwar parts dealers. Follow the directions, but remove the 'sock' from the resistor and pack the chamber with a pinch of fiberglass house insulation.
Worked very well replacing some burnt out smoke units on some basket cases I picked up, but I personally wouldn't go cannibalizing a working vintage smoke unit on purpose.
CJ Meyers
I've posted in the past re this topic and use mega steam along with new f/g insulation in my 2055. The results are great for a while and then the smoke volume decreases. I've tried everything it seems but can't get the 2055 to maintain the strong smoke volume that is present in the first minutes. Any thoughts??
How long does it take before the smoke volume decreases? I've got some locos with non-adjustable smoke outputs and they smoke pretty well (almost TOO well!) for maybe, five to ten minutes, then the smoke volume starts to taper off. I'm told this is typical for fluid "fueled" smoke units where you can't adjust the output. On the other hand, I've got a loco that has an adjustable output that I've set to a modest smoke out put and it will smoke for a good 30 minutes or so. I should add these are MTH locomotives.
Strong smoke output lasts about 3 to 5 minutes then tapers off to a lighter output. It used to stop smoking prior to my cleaning out the chamber and installing new f/g insulation. I stopped using pellets about a year+ ago and have been using mega steam. Works well.
It depends on what material you are using under the heating element. I buy "pac man" wadding sold by Jeff Kane. They hold a lot of fluid and my trains smoke for very long periods using Mega Steam.
watch?v=2Y3E57pMq8w
1952 Lionel Berkshire with the original pellet type smoke unit. The only modification is the use of a # 2026-44 spring between the plunger and housing. I did use the "pac-man" wadding from The Train Tender, but it's just yellow fiberglass with a slit cut to go around the air tube in the smoke pot.
The smoke is whatever is at hand - MegaSteam, MTH, or Crown. Sometimes a smoke pellet too!
Rob
Wow Rob, that must take some time to set up! Nice video.
Ray
Bayville, NJ
Life is what happens to youWhile you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
"I did use the "pac-man" wadding from The Train Tender, but it's just yellow fiberglass with a slit cut to go around the air tube in the smoke pot."
He sells the same but in white and it looks like a cotton type material. MUCH better than the yellow.
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