Old T1 Smoke Unit Batting - Help

Those units do not get batting.  HOWEVER... Jim Barrett did an amazing article in The Back Shop about making them work better.  It involves drilling a hole through the baffle at the half-way point of the element.  This allows the fluid to travel through the unit even when the liquid is blocking the anemically small area at the bottom of the baffle is submerged.

Jon

They are designed to not use batting as long as you are reusing the cloth sleeve over the resister. If not then you will need batting. Just don’t come up and block the cut out at the top. 

When I upgraded mine to TMCC, I added fan driven smoke.

Thank you all for your comments and recommendations!

While I don't have access to Jim's backstreet article, I understand the need for the drilled hole...   I think I'll also install some batting in the bottom of the chamber.

I guess with this type of smoke unit, if you turn the engine on its side or over it will pee on you!!  ??  Yuk

My customer just wants his smoke unit to work, so will just do what I can to just make it work.

Again, thank you all for your input, much appreciated!

Terry

@KOOLjock1 posted:

Those units do not get batting.  HOWEVER... Jim Barrett did an amazing article in The Back Shop about making them work better.  It involves drilling a hole through the baffle at the half-way point of the element.  This allows the fluid to travel through the unit even when the liquid is blocking the anemically small area at the bottom of the baffle is submerged.

Jon

Do you know the issue number?  I have digital access to back issues of the magazine, but there's no search function that I'm aware of.

Does anyone have a pic of where to drill the hole?

@Mallard4468 posted:

Do you know the issue number?  I have digital access to back issues of the magazine, but there's no search function that I'm aware of.

Did you try the OGR Magazine Master Index?

Here's a sample from Run 184.

Obviously, I can't post the article, but I think this is the one you're looking for.

@Mallard4468 posted:

Does anyone have a pic of where to drill the hole?

I do it right about here. You just remove the resistor out of the way, put on a block of wood, and drill a decent hole. I then countersink the edges of the hole using a larger diameter drill. All you are doing is creating more of a direct airflow to hit the center of the resistor and thus blow the smoke off of it. It also keeps the puddle of liquid from getting blown up and out the stack as larger drops.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Did you try the OGR Magazine Master Index?

Here's a sample from Run 184.

Obviously, I can't post the article, but I think this is the one you're looking for.

Did not know about the magazine index - thanks.

And that certainly looks like the article.

@Mallard4468 posted:

Do you know the issue number?  I have digital access to back issues of the magazine, but there's no search function that I'm aware of.

Does anyone have a pic of where to drill the hole?

How about a much better solution, that won’t break the bank, yet give you smiles for miles,….these smoke units are available from Mike Reagan ( Mikado on the forum ) ……..these units are super easy to install, super easy to wire, and will blow the pants off the old piston type smoke unit. ….on the older Pulmor chassis, you do have to knock off the lever stand offs, but a dremel tool with a cutoff wheel makes even this a trivial chore……

PS, it can be run conventional, or in a command environment…..

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

How about a much better solution, that won’t break the bank, yet give you smiles for miles,….these smoke units are available from Mike Reagan ( Mikado on the forum ) ……..these units are super easy to install, super easy to wire, and will blow the pants off the old piston type smoke unit. ….on the older Pulmor chassis, you do have to knock off the lever stand offs, but a dremel tool with a cutoff wheel makes even this a trivial chore……

PS, it can be run conventional, or in a command environment…..

Pat

How are those compared to the MTH ps1 smoke units? Those are really nice! Lots o smoke. But I'd like to support Mr. Reagan. Maybe send me an email for a link to where to buy when you get a chance. Thanks!

@Donnie Kennedy posted:

How are those compared to the MTH ps1 smoke units? Those are really nice! Lots o smoke. But I'd like to support Mr. Reagan. Maybe send me an email for a link to where to buy when you get a chance. Thanks!

The PS1 smoke unit is user friendly for conventional guys, …for command, the PS1 requires some mods, and fiddling…….Mike’s unit is well rounded, and can be used in either environment. It accepts a chuff signal with a simple tap wire & diode. This makes the unit puff in time with the chuff,…..it also works well in diesel applications,…..Mike is on the forum, his alias is Mikado, search him on the members list, and shoot him an email, …he’ll be glad to expand on what I’ve said……..just like the PS1 unit, the wiring is just as simple, with only one more wire to add,…..footprint is nearly the same!

Pat

Thank you sir! I'm still in the conventional infancy of my o gauge journey,but good to know these can be upgraded. I'll reach out to him tomorrow.

@harmonyards posted:

How about a much better solution, that won’t break the bank, yet give you smiles for miles,….these smoke units are available from Mike Reagan ( Mikado on the forum ) ……..these units are super easy to install, super easy to wire, and will blow the pants off the old piston type smoke unit. ….on the older Pulmor chassis, you do have to knock off the lever stand offs, but a dremel tool with a cutoff wheel makes even this a trivial chore……

PS, it can be run conventional, or in a command environment…..

Pat

@Mikado - the smoke unit in the referenced post looks interesting.  Still available?  Details and ordering info?

Thanks in advance.

Just drop me an email in my profile.

thank you,

Mike

@Mallard4468 posted:

@Mikado - the smoke unit in the referenced post looks interesting.  Still available?  Details and ordering info?

Thanks in advance.

If you search MTH parts for smoke unit, then filter on "PS 1" (with the quotes), you'll come up with a whole bunch of PS/1 smoke units.  They have different length posts and different stack configurations, pick one that works for you.

This is a good choice, it has separate posts so you can use any length stand-offs with it.