NYC smoke unit

could i use this for a element?

 

8141-55 smoke element

It appears that the smoke unit with bulb has been replaced by the LED version, and the old bulb style unit is no longer available through Lionel, or parts dealers.

The unit seems to be the same, with an LED replacing the bulb. You MAY be able to disconnect the LED and plug in the bulb, depending if there is an external resistor or not for the LED.

 

Larry

Could i use this to fix it?

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lionel...;hash=item19ceb3cb98

The parts on e-bay are to upgrade the old postwar pill-type smoke units to use smoke fluid, and are not for your smoke unit. As far as I know, the unit you have is not repairable, and must be replaced. Get the replacement unit from Lionel or a parts dealer and follow my above post concerning the LED/bulb.

 

Larry

Note that some of the LED units came with no current limiting resistors and the LED goes up in a blaze of glory as soon as you power it up.  I believe Lionel is aware of the issue, though I don't know for sure.

i had mine cut open a long time a go now i need the heater element my idea wasto use the element out of the item on ebay

Your smoke unit uses a 16 ohm resistor. Here is the part number.

 

 

Most conventional Lionel engines use a 27 ohm resistor. I'd suggest using an ohmmeter to see if the smoke resistor is connected directly to rail pickups or if there is an auxiliary circuit that supplies the power. If its connected directly to the rails then you might want to try a 27 ohm resistor to avoid burning it out again.

 

 

Pete

 

 

 

should i set the engine on the track and take a voltage reading at the terminals of the smoke unit?

You can just use a meter to see if the smoke unit leads connect directly to the track pickups, probably easier.

Thanks i forgot that it is connected direct to track so i will put a 27 ohm in.   Might buy a kit off ebay and use the resistor and batting

The 16 ohm will get mighty hot.  OTOH, while it smokes, it'll probably smoke very well, but it will likely expire before too long.

I replaced one of my resistors with a 16 ohm from MTH I bought at my hobby shop. (Whopping 75 cents) As far a batting, I'm using a tiki torch wick. Open up one wick, take one of the strands and pull it apart a little. 

I use the Tiki torch wick as well, so far, so good.

Thanks guys we don't have many close hobby shops so eBay kit isn't bad.

How much batting should i use?

Just fill the bottom of the chamber, don't block the input or output air hole.  The batting does have to be in contact with the smoke resistor, or you'll get no smoke.  It's really a wick to feed the fluid up to the hot resistor. 

Norton thanks  wheres a good place to call for the 16 ohm?   The 27 was a tight fit so it went in my Blue comet smokes a bit better i dont think those were ever strong smokers.   It 8001 engine looks like a hudson  style

Where cna i get the 16 ohm element?

My LHS also stocks MTH, the 16 ohm I used in mine is MTH. Ran a whopping 75 cents...

Jeff's suggestion is probably best. You can order the one above from Lionel but it will cost you 10 bucks in shipping in addition to the 2 bucks for the resistor. I have yet to find a source for uncoated wire wound resistors from a third party.

 

Pete