Lionmaster Challenger

[tbwilson4]

I just received my new Lionmaster challenger and have a few issues to resolve. First, smoke unit doesn't function. Switch is on, fluid was added, got a whisp of smoke at first, and now, nothing. Have read the threads on possibly reversing leads to smoke unit if fan was wired backwards,which would be easy on a diesel, but how about hints on opening up this challenger? Second problem-power pick up rollers on loco are spaced just about 4 inches apart, which gives me problems with Atlas High-Speed switches (long powerless gap to bridge) Because of Lionels "teatherless" design, I dont believe engine is making use of the 2 pick up rollers on tender. Would I be able to wire a teathered connection between tenders rollers & engines rollers, as my other teathered units have no problem with long switches? Thanks!

[zwbob]

tb

I bought the lionmaster challenger in 2001. How much smoke fluid did you put in before you fired it up? I know when I got mine there was a card in the box that said to add 30 or 40 dropps of fluid before turning on the power. I did that and drowned out the unit. The card was put in the box by mistake. I ended up taking it back to the train shop and they sent it back to lionel. Lionel never said what they did to the smoke unit though. I ended up modifying the unit and it smokes like crazy now. And another thing, try using JT megasteam smoke instead of the lionel stuff. It works alot better. As for getting inside of this engine there are 6 screws. 2 under the cab 3 in the center of the engine and 3 up front. The 2 up front you have to turn the front set of drivers to the left or right and access the screw through a hole in the bottom of the cylinder.
Good luck

Bob

[laz 57]

Try blowing down the stack. Ater you put in fluid sometimes an air bubble gets in there and won't let the smoke to come out. I always do this each time I add smoke fluid.

Hope this helps.
laz57

[tbwilson4]

I added more fluid, blew down the stack, and did get some smoke to start, although nothing like my other engines. I was hoping this unit would really punch out the smoke. Will have to do some experimenting with different smoke fluids. Any suggestions on adding a power teather line from tender trucks pickup roller to engines pickup roller? Would this work to maintain smooth operation through long switches?

[wrmcclellan]

tb,

I have the Lionmaster Challenger and it is not a great smoker. It is a great loco and one of my favorites.

As stated above, do not flood the unit. If you do, then turn it upside down and catch any fluid leaking out with a paper towel or rag (not your carpet!).

These units tend to get air bubbles that must be blown out to clear it. I use a soda straw to facilitate this.

If you have drained the unit and cleared any bubbles. Let it sit for a while and dry out. It will start working again.

You did not mention if you are using TMCC or not. If not, then lower voltages for conventional operation will barely heat up the smoke unit element.

If you are running TMCC, you can repeatedly press and hold (for a few seconds) Aux 9 and this boosts the smoke unit. Do not hold this for too long or you can burn out the element (resistor).

If you add a power tether you can help the stalling problem. As you have concluded this will add additional pickup rollers at greater spacing.

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

I have a Lionmaster Big Boy with the same issues. To resolve the pickup issue I just unscrewed both pickups and rotated them 180 degrees. This way it adds about an 1 1/2 to 2 extra inches of space between them. I can now make it over my 072/054 Atlas curved switches.

Not shure if this would work on the Challenger?

I have to take a look at the smoke unit as it works OK after a while but a lot of smoke seeps out the bottom of the engine. I may have to open mine up as well. Not looking forward to opening up an articulated steamer :-)

I wish Lionel would release a memo or service bulletin on what engines were affected by the reversed smoke unit leads. Kinda like they do in the automobile business.

[tbwilson4]

I attached a temporary wire teather between rollers on both engine & tender with great success! Unit can now creep thru any switch-including Atlas Hi-speeds-without stalling out. Once I locate a micro connector, I will make a permanent connection. Smoke problem is still being worked on. I seem to get more smoke once unit comes to a stop, which makes me think blower isnt doing its job correctly. I only run in conventional mode, & have really cranked it up in attempt to generate sufficient heat in smoke unit. Any other ideas before I open it up?

[Anonymous]

Please let us know what you do to resolve the smoke problem. I have one and am having the exact same problem. It's only a few weeks old, and I am debating on sending it back for repairs, unless its an easy fix......Tim