Another Smoke Unit Motor Issue......

Odd. I have the same unit with the same exact issue.  Plus the magnet cracked and took off down the main. Well its time to open her up and get it fixed. Thanks for starting the thread. 

I having a issue like this to and I don't know why but if I shut the engine down and use the start up mode on the legacy remote it will work .. No other way will it work. I have no idea what it is . I was gonna ask the guys that know more them me for a answer on this forum . Mines out of the powered f3 unit 6-24534 

It's a little hard to see in your photo for sure but make certain the edge/lead from the resistor does not touch the casing of the bowl.  That could explain why things work when you have it opened up but not when you put it back together.  Something to check. 

STEIMS,
Do you mean some sort of electrical power run off, which in turn energizes the bowl, instead of the intended unit?
Ralph

If this unit has it...Bad rectifier maybe? If rectifier is bad, motor will still run with dc power direct to motor leads, but not with power supplied to circuit. 

I see three legs sticking up on back side of diode (?)...rectifier looks like it's mia...

I powered the unit with the "smoke unit cover" up and out of the way to ensure nothing was touching the bowl....no difference.

I don't think it has a rectifier...........

In the middle pick just above the diode are 3 metal prongs that just hang down.

Wonder why they are there not connected to anything.

This is a used engine to me but I do believe that the smoke unit has never been used.

I removed the "sleeve" from the element and as you can see the element looks new.

There also was no charring on the wicking when I opened the unit nor was the "sleeve" burned in any way.

So whatever might be wrong may have been so from day one.

Thanks Gents for the ideas........

Dave.

See pic...rectifier is small black sorta round thingy...

Where the three prongs are sticking out is where the missing part should be. 

I see what you mean Gibson.......that part is not on this board!

I'll go to parts on Lionel and see if I can find more info to this puzzle.

Thanks for posting.

Dave

Had my fair share of smoke unit troubles

Me too Gibson!

Here is a pic of the smoke unit for this engine.

Clearly the piece is missing on my unit and there in the pic.

$30 plus shipping for the entire smoke unit.  No indication that one could buy just the smoke unit board. 

Might anyone know if the board can be bought separately and or any other remedy?

Thanks

Dave

Think you have to buy complete smoke unit... $25, maybe...been a while. This unit sees track power...taps it for smoke element which gets full voltage, then taps off that, changes it to dc for blower motor.

Good luck!

Thank You for your help Gibson

Dave

The heater must stand up over the rectangle printed on the board.  It looks like the heater is not hitting the wicking to create smoke.  It should not be bent over like it is.  How are you putting the 5 volts to the motor?  Did you measure for 27 ohm on the heater.  Did you do an engine reset to reprogram the R2LC with the AUX code.

On your red and black wire what are you seeing for voltage with the unit together?

One last thing, to be sure your heater is not hitting the side of the smoke bowl when assembled, do the following.  Take your continuity meter and hit one probe on the heater on the top of the board and the other to the metal smoke bowl.  Again, I am not happy with the angle the heater is bent over.

One last thing with the unit together, follow the board traces with your continuity meter to chase an open trace.  With your meter set to DC, check to see if you now have about 5VDC to the fan motor.  

The LM78L05 regulator is missing, that will be required to run the fan.

Good pickup John.  Who knows.  I would tell him to buy a new board.

These smoke units are the simple versions.  AC Power comes in via the Red and Black wires on the 3 pin connector.  They power the element directly.  See the trace from the red wire pin that goes to the unused pin?  That is the jumper that brings AC center rail to the diode to rectify for the voltage regulator that is missing.  The Voltage regulator makes 5V DC that runs the fan motor even when AC power is up at 12 to 18 VAC.  Either get a new board, or by the simple regulator and solder it in.  G

You can get the 5V regulator for less than a smoke unit.  For a 30 cent part, I'd try putting that back on first.

Thanks Gents for all the help.

I didn't know you could just buy the rectifier........80 cents from Lionel.

I'll have to get an order underway.

Dave

Sorry, SOO LINE...got my terminology wrong....regulator, not rectifier. These guys won't steer you wrong.

Shipping from LIONEL will be a bite, though...I usually buy enough stuff to try and make it look like I am spending more on parts than shipping if I can.

Have Fun!

Yes Gibson..........I keep calling it by the wrong name as well.............5 Volt Regulator.

And the talent here is second to none for sure.

Now to think up things to put in the Lionel order besides my 80 cent part !

Dave

Well, you can order me another Vision Line Big Boy to double head with the one I have...