Changing a Polar Express smoke unit resistor??

Jeff TOGR Forum Member

Polar Express is headed under the tree tomorrow and before I did I thought I would re-wick the smoke unit. This is a LionChief Series 2 motor unit. My original crapped out some time ago.

Couple things, I remember the top of the smoke unit on the original being metal and being told to be sure the wire is protected through the top so it didn't short. On this one the top cap is plastic, so I'm assuming that's not as crucial. As you can see from the pic the cloth shielding crumbled when I opened it.

This one being newer has the 20 ohm resistor in it. What would be safe to drop to? 14, 12?

Thanks for your input!!

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12/22/217:20 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I'd stick with the 20 ohm, you don't want it melting the plastic cap.

12/22/218:29 PM

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Jeff TOGR Forum Member

Got it! I read that opening up the 2 air holes would be beneficial. Agreed??

12/22/218:56 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Well, that's a double-edged sword, you'll get more back-flow past the piston as well. Best to just leave it stock, trying to get prodigious smoke out of one of these is swimming upstream. If smoke is that important, consider upgrading to a fan driven smoke unit.

12/23/218:52 AM

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Jeff TOGR Forum Member

Well, being the eager one I opened up the two holes before GRJ responded. They started at 1/8" (.125) and I opened them up to 11/64" (.171). No other changes were made besides replacing the wick material. Never smoked like this before!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-EltroXsZs

12/23/213:13 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

The only risk is it frequently allows smoke to blow-back inside the engine, it ends up looking like cylinder smoke.