8516-50 Smoke Unit

Considering the 8516 is an MPC NYC 0-4-0 switcher, and that smoke unit was used in many lokies of the era, I think track voltage should be fine. 

I see that one of the applications is the Lionel 8606 (6-18606) and the only electronic board it has is the 103 E-Unit which does not have any association with the smoke unit. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that the smoke unit is powered straight from the track and 15VAC would be appropriate.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...0a-f65c0e9c8902&

Well, do note that this is a puffer, so it's going to need mechanical action in order to function stand-alone.

Thanks for all the help!  Kinda bummed it's a puffer unit - should've done my research better.  What do you use for a stand alone unit.  The Sleuth units seem to put out good smoke without a mechanical assistance.

John Fuller posted:

Kinda bummed it's a puffer unit ... What do you use for a stand alone unit...

I used to have smoke in a building and I just used an inexpensive aquarium pump to get the smoke moving. This was with an old pellet type smoker.

You can get in-line valves to regulate the airflow in the aquarium tubing.

That's a lot of work for a puffer, you can pick up a Lionel fan driven smoke unit for $25-30 and just apply power for plenty of smoke. 610-8057-200.  It has a DC supply on-board for the fan, so you just need to apply power.  Adjust the voltage for the desired smoke level and you're done.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

That's a lot of work for a puffer...

I only did it because I had everything on hand. It worked!

John Fuller posted:

The Sleuth units seem to put out good smoke without a mechanical assistance.

Well, "good smoke" is relative I guess, I'm not that impressed with the Seuthe smoke.  Also, the smoke doesn't last that long before a refill is required.

My plan for a building is a fan driven smoke unit, and I adjust the heater power for the desired level of smoke, and then tune the fan speed for the velocity needed for the best effect.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

That's a lot of work for a puffer, you can pick up a Lionel fan driven smoke unit for $25-30 and just apply power for plenty of smoke. 610-8057-200.  It has a DC supply on-board for the fan, so you just need to apply power.  Adjust the voltage for the desired smoke level and you're done.

 

 

gunrunnerjohn - I picked up one of these units (610-8057-200) to play with.  Any coaching on how to power? I'm assuming it doesn't take power directly from the track since you indicated DC.

Thanks!

John

I actually didn't say it required DC, only that it produced DC for the fan.  You can run it on AC or DC.  It will run on 18V, but it'll smoke like a fiend!  Best to limit it to around 12VAC or for higher voltages, insert a series diode to cut down the power.

Thanks for the clarification and information - sorry for the confusion   Can't wait to see this work!

Just took a close look at the unit and noticed the 3-wire connector.  Does anyone have the pinout?  Sorry for all the questions - just don't want to burn it up

Look at the top PCB traces.  You'll notice the two outside pins are wired together.  Those go to the hot side, the center pin goes to frame ground.

Gotcha - thanks!

Just as an idea to keep on the shelf; "computer fans" smaller than 2"x2"x3/8" are out there cheap.... A flat cover with a hole/tube over just part of the fan face moves air pretty well.   I blow styrofoam balls around in my "lotto car" with one.

I've also put a pellet unit into a silicon pill holder about as big around and as deep as a stock pellet chamber. It took the heat in stride for over a year , no sign of damage to the silicone. Fluid did not leak from the seam were the two pod halves loosly "pop" together; the seal is pretty impressive really.

The mech inside a cheap aquarium pump is usually quite small. A case of a "huge cover and a slug of weight" so it feels like you get $10 worth of product. A diaphragm/valve and cammed or rodded motor. About the size of a Lionel vibrator motor or smaller... some air pumps use a vibrator too come to think of it.

I almost used a tape player solinoid on a perfume misting bulb as a bellows, but found a true plastic bellows. (That melted )