Erie Triplex Weak Whistle Steam

@Sean's Train Depot posted:

Like everyone else I got weak whistle steam from my Triplex.  But the main & rear stacks were smoking like crazy.

When I looked down the whistle opening, I could see a bit of black covering the hole, but it was not totally blocked.

So, I decided to take it apart find out what's happening.

Just FYI taking this thing apart is quite the adventure.

A few things I discovered:

1.  It is a straight tube from the smoke unit to the outlet and there was No residue in tube, so it was not blocked. I blew through it lightly and it was totally clear.

2.  The smoke unit batting was fine and was saturated on both sides.

3.  There was a tiny almost O-ring (although much thinner) between the outlet and body that was pinched and partially blocking the hole.

So, I fixed the seal.

Soaked the batting in both chambers.

Checked thermistor was not too close to resister and reassembled.

Ran it again and it was better and as others reported it takes a while to get going.  It works fine if you are constantly blowing the whistle, but if blowing occasionally then the first blows are almost nonexistent smoke.

So, I would say some type of design issue with Whistle side.  Seems like resister is not staying hot enough.

Guess the triplex will just have weak whistle steam.  What do you want for 2200.00!   HAHA.

You’re my Hero!!!!!.      Mine has the same issue.  

I can live with it but,  for $2200 you really expect better, especially with a technology that has been used over and over.    

that being said, Lionel did GREAT with the Wheel Slip.

@Sean's Train Depot posted:

So, I would say some type of design issue with Whistle side.  Seems like resister is not staying hot enough.

Guess the triplex will just have weak whistle steam.  What do you want for 2200.00!   HAHA.

The logic is supposed to keep the whistle smoke resistor preheated so you get smoke right away.  One other point is I've found the length of the tubing from the whistle side has an effect on the smoke volume.  The Triplex has one of the longest tubing runs I have seen, that probably accounts for some of the whistle smoke issues.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

The logic is supposed to keep the whistle smoke resistor preheated so you get smoke right away.  One other point is I've found the length of the tubing from the whistle side has an effect on the smoke volume.  The Triplex has one of the longest tubing runs I have seen, that probably accounts for some of the whistle smoke issues.

So it must not be keeping it preheated enough. If you keep blowing the whistle then it gets stronger.

@Sean's Train Depot posted:

So it must not be keeping it preheated enough. If you keep blowing the whistle then it gets stronger.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

The logic is supposed to keep the whistle smoke resistor preheated so you get smoke right away.  One other point is I've found the length of the tubing from the whistle side has an effect on the smoke volume.  The Triplex has one of the longest tubing runs I have seen, that probably accounts for some of the whistle smoke issues.

Seems the thermistor must play an important part here, depending on its function.  Perhaps if it is more distant from the resistor, the resistor would get hotter in preheat?