Strummer posted:Thanks again John.
I tried another (Lionel) engine of similar vintage; this one has its factory-installed "guts" (not a Dallee), and I got the same results...
So this newer MRC unit is capable of running an engine at say, 30 mph at only 4-5 volts, where it takes the old Flyer unit 8-9 volts to reach the same speed. The output of the smoke unit is dependent on "pure" voltage only, which would explain why the same engine will put out more smoke from the old Flyer transformer...have I got that right?
Is there any potential harm in running these "modern" engines with this older transformer? Do I run the risk of frying the smoke resistor(s)?
Mark in Oregon
With the smoke unit it depends on the design of the engine. some apply track power directly to the resistor and others use rectified power. rectified ones will smoke better on a modern transformer, in theory.
Before getting too deep down the rabbit hole, however, you might want to put an AC volt meter on the track with both transformers. It's likely that the dial on the old AF transformer is just misaligned or never pointed to the true voltage in the first place, so while it may be pointing to, say, 10 volts, it might actually be putting 7 or 8 to the track.
Last, no you won't cause any problems with either one. you may want to search "TVS" here on the forum, though for some added protection for your modern engines.
