challenger smoke problem

I just did the same to a PRR T-1 and kept the original smoke unit which is a PS1 unit.  I have the same result, it smokes but not like it should and I checked it out, took it apart and restuffed the wicking which was in good condition.  I figure it is just the age of the smoke unit fan/motor.  You can get a PS2 unit for $50 from MTH.   Also the impeller could be slipping on the shaft or may not be placed properly,  I pushed mine down just a bit and wonder if that is causing the problem, or too much wicking right by the 'window' from the motor area.  The fan motor was squealing a bit before so I put a dab of oil on it to quiet it down, which it did.  It has gotten a bit better as we run the engine over the last two weeks but still not 'MTH like' smoke quantity.  

If you figure it out let me know, but I am not in any hurry to disassemble that T1 again!

I'm guessing you tried Menu/Control/Smoke volume? Max

 also Try the labor rev up at 0  smph.

Gregg, I'm running in convential mode, so that's not a problem.

Dave, if the impeller was loose you might want to put a drop of crazy glue on the top where the shaft comes through. MTH service told me that is sometimes the problem with older model smoke units, or you can buy a new impeller.  I'll continue to work on it and when I find a fix I'll post it here.

You may have some success   if you can  find someone with dcs who can set the setting to max. If I remember correctly...a big if here.. I changed a friends engine smoke volume to low at my house with dcs and when he took  he couldn't change the smoke volume in conventional mode. it was stuck in low even in conventional mode.

I guess the question is.... Will a conventional reset restore the smoke unit volume to whatever the kit puts out in conventional mode???  which is what???? I'm  guessing high.

Don't forget to try blowing down the stack to clear any air bubbles. not pleasant but sometimes works.

Excellent post  by pennsydave. he's covered all the bases.

Gregg,

Will a conventional reset restore the smoke unit volume to whatever the kit puts out in conventional mode??? 

Any reset, DCS Factory, DCS Feature or transformer Feature, will reset the smoke level to whatever is the default as per the engine's sound file.

the sound file for this engine was just recently downloaded, no changes have been made to the factory defaults, so it would be at max smoke and the smoke unit is the newer model out of a 2-8-0 only the board is original to accomodate the 2 stack funnel that goes with the Challenger. Though I didn't see one is it possible that this engine had a smoke funnel gasket to hold it tight to the boiler?

Regards,

Joe Geiser

Joe, so the smoke unit works fine out of the engine when converted to PS-2, and when installed the smoke is too low?

I would make sure the wire harness to the smoke unit don't have any issues.  When they bend they don't add resistance to the circuit.  When smoke unit is installed you can measure continuity through the harness and make sure elements at 8ohms, and smoke fan about 12ohms.

 I would make sure the fan impeller is turning CW. No obstructions in the stack area, and that the smoke unit mounts correctly to the stack.

It seems weird, since the smoke would have to be going somewhere, if it is making high volume out of the engine.  G

I  followed your suggestions here but it didn't help. I just finished making a gasket out of vinyl tape and crazy glue for the top of the plastic funnel, thinking I had a leak where it fit to the boiler. I put Red Head gasket sealer in the groove in the boiler that accepts the funnel and am waiting for it to set up. I let you guys know how it turns out. Thanks for all your help. all great suggestions. George I was trying to leave you out of this one you've been so helpful, didn't want to bug you again so soon.

Regards,

Joe Geiser

the gasket worked, mine now smokes like the one on youtube, one other thing I did was to make sure the top of the funnet was parallel with the mounting bracket, so it sits flat against the boiler when mounted. Thanks again for your suggestions they were helpful.

Regards,

Joe Geiser

Good job Joe.  Now go back in an make sure the electronics don't have any residue on them from the smoke.  It had to go inside the engine shell, unless you missed it blowing out the bottom!  :-)  G

George, just a little smoke fluid laying on the frame in front of the motor, not near any electronics, thanks for the input.

Regards,

Joe Geiser