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Is there a way to get better smoke output on a PS1 diesel? I have a 20-2184-1 SD90MAC and it doesn't smoke well when moving. I want it to smoke similar to how it does at 18 volts when running at 9 or 10 volts. I saw something about dropping the voltage to the motor(s) using a diode, can that be used here? 

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IMG_20190221_193818419IMG_20190219_223912183IMG_20190219_223904427Trainlover9943 posted:

Is there a way to get better smoke output on a PS1 diesel? I have a 20-2184-1 SD90MAC and it doesn't smoke well when moving. I want it to smoke similar to how it does at 18 volts when running at 9 or 10 volts. I saw something about dropping the voltage to the motor(s) using a diode, can that be used here? 

Have you rewicked and soaked the batting? That's what I did on my J class and T1 and they smoke great now.

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Last edited by Sid's Trains
Trainlover9943 posted:

I haven't rewicked it but the batting probably could use some replacing. I need to order some. 

I always say rewick and I really just mean replace the batting. Yes, if you replace the batting and soak it, it will smoke much better. Just letting you know now that the old PS1 smoke units have the batting rapped around the elements so that's what needs to be removed. Then just lay a new ball of batting in the bowl and soak it.

Sid's Trains posted:
Trainlover9943 posted:

I haven't rewicked it but the batting probably could use some replacing. I need to order some. 

I always say rewick and I really just mean replace the batting. Yes, if you replace the batting and soak it, it will smoke much better. Just letting you know now that the old PS1 smoke units have the batting rapped around the elements so that's what needs to be removed. Then just lay a new ball of batting in the bowl and soak it.

Alright I will do that. 

Trainlover9943 posted:
Sid's Trains posted:
Trainlover9943 posted:

I haven't rewicked it but the batting probably could use some replacing. I need to order some. 

I always say rewick and I really just mean replace the batting. Yes, if you replace the batting and soak it, it will smoke much better. Just letting you know now that the old PS1 smoke units have the batting rapped around the elements so that's what needs to be removed. Then just lay a new ball of batting in the bowl and soak it.

Alright I will do that. 

Do you need the Lionel part number for smoke batting?

Sid's Trains posted:
Trainlover9943 posted:
Sid's Trains posted:
Trainlover9943 posted:

I haven't rewicked it but the batting probably could use some replacing. I need to order some. 

I always say rewick and I really just mean replace the batting. Yes, if you replace the batting and soak it, it will smoke much better. Just letting you know now that the old PS1 smoke units have the batting rapped around the elements so that's what needs to be removed. Then just lay a new ball of batting in the bowl and soak it.

Alright I will do that. 

Do you need the Lionel part number for smoke batting?

Yes, I need the number. 

Trainlover9943 posted:
Sid's Trains posted:
Trainlover9943 posted:
Sid's Trains posted:
Trainlover9943 posted:

I haven't rewicked it but the batting probably could use some replacing. I need to order some. 

I always say rewick and I really just mean replace the batting. Yes, if you replace the batting and soak it, it will smoke much better. Just letting you know now that the old PS1 smoke units have the batting rapped around the elements so that's what needs to be removed. Then just lay a new ball of batting in the bowl and soak it.

Alright I will do that. 

Do you need the Lionel part number for smoke batting?

Yes, I need the number. 

If your talking about liquid electrical tape then yes. Here is the part number.

691SMKP008SMOKE UNIT BATTING / 8" LONG / PRE-CUT FIBERGLASS

I just buy the gaskets from MTH, they're readily available. I don't recommend silicone, the gasket is more than sufficient to properly seal the smoke unit.

FWIW, if you're not getting a significant quantity of smoke at 9-10 volts on the track from a PS/1 smoke unit, something is wrong.  They have a voltage regulator circuit to insure vast quantities of smoke at most conventional voltages.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I just buy the gaskets from MTH, they're readily available. I don't recommend silicone, the gasket is more than sufficient to properly seal the smoke unit.

FWIW, if you're not getting a significant quantity of smoke at 9-10 volts on the track from a PS/1 smoke unit, something is wrong.  They have a voltage regulator circuit to insure vast quantities of smoke at most conventional voltages.

I didn't even know Mth had the gaskets. I have never had good luck with their parts department so I just gave up and founds ways around it. I know silicone isn't the best but it works for me. 

Sid's Trains posted:
gunrunnerjohn posted:

I just buy the gaskets from MTH, they're readily available. I don't recommend silicone, the gasket is more than sufficient to properly seal the smoke unit.

FWIW, if you're not getting a significant quantity of smoke at 9-10 volts on the track from a PS/1 smoke unit, something is wrong.  They have a voltage regulator circuit to insure vast quantities of smoke at most conventional voltages.

I didn't even know Mth had the gaskets. I have never had good luck with their parts department so I just gave up and founds ways around it. I know silicone isn't the best but it works for me. 

MTH IB-0000006-5  Gasket (for standard smoke unit) (25.0x37.0mm) (0.5mm thick)

The previous picture was one that I took out of the parts box, I have no idea of the condition of the wick, but they'll smoke good until the wick looks pretty grim.

Last edited by gunrunnerjohn
gunrunnerjohn posted:
Sid's Trains posted:
gunrunnerjohn posted:

I just buy the gaskets from MTH, they're readily available. I don't recommend silicone, the gasket is more than sufficient to properly seal the smoke unit.

FWIW, if you're not getting a significant quantity of smoke at 9-10 volts on the track from a PS/1 smoke unit, something is wrong.  They have a voltage regulator circuit to insure vast quantities of smoke at most conventional voltages.

I didn't even know Mth had the gaskets. I have never had good luck with their parts department so I just gave up and founds ways around it. I know silicone isn't the best but it works for me. 

MTH IB-0000006-5  Gasket (for standard smoke unit) (25.0x37.0mm) (0.5mm thick)

This fits all PS1 locomotives with smoke?

I use the Lionel shredded wick (or my home grown equivalent) for Lionel smoke units.  The braids for MTH are perfect for sandwiching between the two smoke resistors.  With the Lionel units, you have to arrange the wick in a different manner, basically shred it and stuff it all into the bottom of the fluid bowl.  For single resistor smoke units, you want the smoke resistor to be firmly nestled in the wick material, but NOT totally covered, the top must be exposed.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I use the Lionel shredded wick (or my home grown equivalent) for Lionel smoke units.  The braids for MTH are perfect for sandwiching between the two smoke resistors.  With the Lionel units, you have to arrange the wick in a different manner, basically shred it and stuff it all into the bottom of the fluid bowl.  For single resistor smoke units, you want the smoke resistor to be firmly nestled in the wick material, but NOT totally covered, the top must be exposed.

Alright. Thanks. What is your home grown equivalent for the lionel wick? 

Jon G posted:

The PS1 smoke units vary smoke output based on track voltage.  Below a certain threshold (11-12 I think) engages 1 heater.  Above that voltage, both heaters are engaged.  You can see the difference in neutral by slowly ramping up the voltage and noticing the change in current and smoke output.

Oh I definitely notice the output difference with different voltage.

There's a transistor switch that bypasses one of the 16 ohm resistors a low voltage, around 9-10 volts AC it appears.  As you can see from my video, even at low voltage you should have plenty of smoke, so I'd say new wick would be in order for your smoke unit.

Trainlover9943 posted:

Alright. Thanks. What is your home grown equivalent for the lionel wick? 

I found some loosely braided 1/2" torch wick on eBay that has the perfect sized strands, I just pull it apart and fluff it up.  It ends up looking just like the Lionel braided wick, only about 10 cents for a smoke unit's wick replacement.

Last edited by gunrunnerjohn

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