New MTH steamer slow to smoke

Ed, bring it by the house and I will throw the new MTH wicking in it.  I have seen this.

What is the new MTH wicking and why does it make a difference? I have a similar problem with a new PS3 AC6000. Takes about 5-6 minutes for the smoke output to get up to something like normal. My other PS3 diesel (a GE evo) heats up right away as does every other MTH diesel I have. Really don't expect smoke output problems from MTH.

I wonder if this engine uses a single element smoke unit.  I have run across a few that do and the smoke output is very weak.  Premier Camelback, the PS3 General styles.  I have a USMRR General style engine in PS3 and no matter what modification I make the smoke is noticeably lighter than the rest of my smoking fleet.  I know there is a ASC update on this issue, however I have made the corrections and no improvement.   I was told by a tech at MTH that there might be different software in the chain files that has been updated to increase power to the element?  But I haven't really dug deeper,  Perhaps Barry B or Marty have you heard anything similar to this?

Thanks Marty!!. I'm going into a very busy work schedule so I'll find some time for a visit. For all those trying to figure this out I would mention that once the smoking reaches a good level and then gradually decreases in the normal way, it takes another 10 minutes for the smoke fluid to heat up enough to give good smoking ater each refill.

Ed

I hope that Barry B does see this thread in case this is a software issue that can be user-rectified. I have tried feature and factory resets neither of which cured the problem but a software glitch is an obvious possibility.

I can tell you that my AC6000 has two resistors for heating elements, I have had it apart to check the wicking although that appeared to be fine. 

The only odd thing was that when I checked the smoke unit it produced somewhat more smoke - although not any faster - if I did not screw the top of the unit down as firmly as it originally was. Go figure - there's no smoke "leakage" around the gasket though.

I hope that Barry B does see this thread in case this is a software issue that can be user-rectified

It's not a DCS software issue. If it was, it would affect all engines, not just one.

However, it might be an issue with the engine's sound or chain files. Call MTH tech support to find out if it is an engine software issue and, if so, if there's a replacement file(s) for the engine.

Unwrap the wick from the resistor.  Place it in the bottom of the reservoir with the resistor bent back slightly .

Dave 

Thanks Barry - you're the guru.

I see this often.  This is a 2 element unit.  From the factory they do not put enough wicking in.  The proper fix is to use the new wick that MTH sells.  Here is a photo of the new wick.

Well as it turns out Marty Fitzhenry is right again. There probably was not enough wick material in the unit as delivered from the factory to give good smoke output.

Called MTH and found out that this is a single element smoke unit. They told me it would never be as good as the engines with the double elements. Because the smoke output was pretty bad, my friend and I took it apart and put a new wick in. Marty graciously offered to do it but he has bailed me out enough so I thought we could at least try it ourselves. It is now a pretty good smoker and, even though not great, is acceptable.

A related question is that when a wick is put into the chamber, is it supposed to touch the heating element? I noticed on some pictures that the wick was placed between the the two elements on the double element unit. This is not possible on the single unit model. I suppose one could wrap some wicking around the single element. I built the wick material up from the bottom of the chamber and seated the heating element into the wick material. Special care was taken not to interfere with the opening into the chamber.

Thanks again to all who replied.

I love this Forum!

Ed Kazarian

As long as the heater is firmly in contact with the wick, it should work.  It needs enough contact not to burn a small spot in the wick.