I want to connect my Seuthe #117 smoke generator into the chimney of the brewerly on my layout.
The smoke unit is rated at 16-18 VAC, and 50Ma
My DC controller is rated at
Since I really dont understand electricity too well I am concerned about blowing up the smoke unit if i connect it to the AC terminals of my controller.
Am I ok in doing this or do I need to reduce the amount of power going to the smoke unit by inserting some kind of gadget inline to protect the smoke unit?
Keith
Hi Keith,
If the smoke unit draws 50ma at 18 volts, it's resistance is about 360ohms. Since the controller is putting out a bit more then 18 volts, I would put about 100ohm resistor in series with the smoke unit and see how that goes. If it makes too much smoke add some more resistance. If not try decreasing the resistor's value a bit. A one watt resistor should be OK but it might get warm so don't put it near the sides of the plastic building.
HTH
Alan J
Alan Jones in Sunny Queensland (Oz)
ok thanks.
If I do nothing like this and just hook it up is it going to blow up and ruin the smoke generator?
I had one before, hooked it up and nothing ever worked. Took it back to the shop and they put it on an ohmeter and said it was bad, i was afraid i had blown it up because I didnt know i wasnt supposed to do that but i was never told to be sure to put a resistor in the circuit.
Keith,
Given that the previous one went bad, I would use a resistor with the new one, just in case! If you don't have a resistor, try an dome light globe from an automobile. Or use an amp meter in series with the smoke unit to see if it does only use 50ma.
cheers