How to wire Lionel Smoke Unit

Any help would be appreciated.

This post dealt with that unit. Maybe you can email the posters directly for more info.

Mark

Personally, I wouldn't start with the Lionel smart smoke unit for this project, there are plenty of simple smoke units that just take AC and run the fan and smoke element.  Most of the older Lionel fan driven smoke units, and the MTH PS/1 smoke units.

John is correct.  I would use an MTH PS1 smoke unit.

He'll probably get the most smoke from the MTH PS/1 smoke unit, that's for sure.

Thanks for the advice guys.  Any idea where I can get a PS1 smoke unit?  I've been looking on line with no luck so far.  There are bunch on Brasseur but I'm not sure what part number(s) are PS1 units.

Well, the part number is AA-0000011, at least that's what I get on the MTH parts site.

John, did you get the new common parts list at school?

Marty, I don't know about "new", it was current when I went.  I looked up the old number in the RK parts book, the parts site tells you to use the number I posted as an alternative.  That's also what's in my common parts list.

John,  the AA-0000011 is listed at $65 and then AA-0000012 is $50.  Will the AA-0000012 work?  If so I can save a few bucks.

John, you posted the correct number.  If that number does not show in your common parts list let me know and I will send you what I have.

I can't say, I don't have a listing for that one, and when I enter it into the parts screen, it just comes up as "smoke unit". 

You should be able to find someone around to sell you a used PS/1 smoke unit for less money.  Perhaps a posting in the Wanted to Buy section?

Marty, what is the number he posted, I don't have any reference to that one?

That number he posted is not on the list.  Mike does show it without any info.  The number you put up is the one to use.  I sent you the list.

I got the AA-0000012 number from the Brasseur site.

I'd send them an email and ask what the difference is between the two units.  As Marty says, all we know is that MTH thinks it's a smoke unit.

I'll do that...thanks

A bit off the subject, but perhaps someone here knows something about hot to add the whistle steam effect or steam chest effect to an existing Lionel tmcc  or legacy engine. I have heard of this being done, and want to try it, but can't seem to find any information on the subject. Any advice on where to look for info or how to do this will be greatly appreciated.

I am new to posting on this forum not sure of how to post an inquiry so sorry if this is posted in the wrong place. Could someone please let me know if I should post this question somewhere else.

Thanks!

Rick

A couple of us are working on that very issue for TMCC locomotives, can you be more specific as to what you run?  It's going to depend on the ability to locate another smoke unit in the boiler, some locomotives are stuffed to the gills.  Our initial victims will be a couple of brass engines with the electronics in the tender, so space will not be an issue.

There is a company that modified locomotives with whistle smoke, but only for conventional operation.  We're going the TMCC route and adding blowdown and whistle smoke. 

The 3rd Rail ones would probably work out as there's room in the boiler of most of those for the extra smoke unit(s).  Without seeing how they did the steam chest effect in the 4-8-4, it's difficult to comment on how it was done or controlled.

 I'll try it on one of the 3rd rail units. Is the best way to follow your progress just to watch this thread on this forum?  What components should I be assembling to try this ? Thanks very much for your input.

Well, if you're planning on TMCC, there'll be a a rather specialized component that you will need.

This is not as easy as it looks.  Even after John, builds the electronic board that can translate a signal to blow a whistle and activate a smoke unit, you still need to pipe the smoke to the whistle that has a hole, have the ability to refill smoke fluid (probably not through the whistle) and take it out for maintenance).  Guys that are doing this have machinist back ground besides the electronics.

You can go to the Lionel website and look up a whistle steam engine and see some of the parts, but this won't be like bolting on aftermarket parts.  It will be a kit bash custom build.   G

Thanks very much for all the thoughtful responses. I hope you will post to this column or contact me if you get something working, and I will do the same.  Rick ramtrainguy@hotmail.com

Rick, You may want to contact JDS and talk to them.  They are the current company do these installs.  They have a website too.  G