SMOKE UNIT INSPECTION

Lionel sell the batting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...jely-LR&index=15          This might help. AL

Stephen,

  If it looks like either of the photos below , then it's time to replace the batting and possibly the resistor. The way to test your resistor is with a multi meter. Set it to OHM'S and then touch each side of the resistor with the probe's. If you tell me the six digit item number I can tell you the size of the resistor.

It's going to be tough to get parts right now, Lionel is in the process of moving from Ohio to North Carolina. I also see you live in New York, are you close to Staten Island

Alex

Thank you guy's, yep the second photo is it. Alex, when I probe the resister what will I see on the meter?  I was born and raised in Brooklyn, Sunset Park and then Bay Ridge. I moved to the Hudson Valley in 1982 with my wife and three children, the town is called SHAWANGUNK it's nine miles south of New Paltz. Should the resistor be buried in the bating?

Al, very helpful video thank you.

Steve what engine?  Normally Lionel used 6, 8 and 27 ohm resistors depending on the engine and smoke unit.  Some elements have a fiber sleeve over the element.  If that is burned, cut it off with scissors.   I have Lionel 6, 8, and 27 ohm resistors in stock, along with fan motors and wick.  G

Glad to help, this forum has been lots of help for me also.

AL

Hi G, This does not have the cover on the resistor. The engines are the Santa Fe  ABA. I think from 2011. The AB are powered and an A dummy. All have smoke units. Question: should they all have the same resistor?I will take ohm readings saturday PM and let you guy's know what it is.  Steve      P.S. The J is on it's way. 

I can get you the resistor if you need one.  Resistors very rarely go bad.  For the smoke batting, you can use tiki torch wicks or fiberglass insulation in a pinch.  It might not have the life of the Lionel stuff, but it's available up in your attic!

Hi John, Wow who would have thought, thats great.  Thank you,I can slap it together and take it for a rail roadtest.      Steve 

Steve,

  We have smoke resistor from 6-62 ohms in stock, we have batting in stock to repack your unit and we have motors. The best part is we sell them at discount prices. Check our web.

Bill

Hi Bill, nice web site. I'am sure you will here from me soon.   Steve

I just won't to take a minute to say THANK YOU to ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE OGR. This hobby will NEVER BE IN TROUBLE with people like all of you who continue to come to the aid of those of us who love TRAINS but are not very good at trouble shooting the many problems that pop up from time to time.   THANK YOU    Steve Puntar

The first thing I do when I get a lionel loco is to upgrade the smoke unit. The batting Lionel uses is horrible. I replace it with wick material. I buy a Tiki torch, about $5, and I take out the wick. I use this as the batting for the smoke. I then use a dremil tool with small cone shaped attachment to enlarge the hole above the fan unit. This procedure increases the smoke output tremendously. The video posted by Train Nerd is the one I used as a guide. 

Hi Steve,

The meter should read either, 6, 8, or 27 ohm each reading will be very close to one of the three numbers. That will tell you your resistor value. The reason why I asked where you live is, You're welcomed to come by my house anytime, and I would gladly help you out. I repair and upgrade engine's on a regular basis. Come by anytime.

Thanks,

Alex

Steve,  That is the 8 ohm unit, it is also the dumb smoke.  So you can benefit by opening the air intake some with a drill bit.

I actually have a complete smoke unit in stock too.  Will be looking for the J, I am hoping the chip swap will work, would be a neat conversion.  G

Alex, thank you so much for the invitation. I have not been back Brooklyn in twenty years. Hey, you never know what the future holds.