Interesting smoke issue.

Marty
I assume you're talking about the early 2000 atlantics w tmcc? If so, Yes they are poor smokers indeed.  9 on the keypad is smoke boost which gives it a few extra volts.
The legacy version is and should be a good smoker. At least mine is.

Yea Marty it gives it more voltage and makes it smoke more.. 

A buddy of mine said one time to keep pushing the smoke volume up button on the legacy remote and it seemed to work....at least I think lol. 

Nope this is Legacy. I know about the TMCC boost. Being Legacy that's what makes it odd as I don't think Legacy has boost but the L/M/H settings + the various Labor vs smoke levels.

Can't fully explain the Legacy version, but some of the TMCC with AC Reg might take a couple times for the AC reg to get the command and actually change.  Plus time for the smoke unit element to adjust to the new voltage.  G

OK. I should have figured that you would know about the TMCC boost feature.

 

I'll try it on mine this week. I guess I normally hit the smoke increase button a few times more than needed anyway as I usually don't look at the screen to see when it's reached the "high" setting. Instead I just hit the button a few times.

 

Again, your Legacy Atlantic not smoking well seems odd. Mine really belches once it gets warmed up. It does take a few laps to get there but them it's a very thick output. I have had to replace the fan motor once already and the current one is making a very audible whine so it may be on it's last leg.

 

Marty, those locomotives use the pre cut batting.  On a good day it is not great.  The fix is to throw it away and use the 8 inch rope style wicking.  Part number 691SMKP008.  Take the wicking and Reaganize it by shreading it like Mike showed in one of his videos a while back.  Roll it up put it in and you will be very happy. 

 

I think GGG is on to something with the regulator. I have a similar issue with my "second run"( the one were the tender was sold seperately) Legacy PE berkshire.

 

In my case however sometimes it takes multiple presses to get it to turn on or off.

Does the engine make the requsite noise when you push the smoke icon? I have seen times when the smoke unit does not respond to commands, yet other functions on the loco do. Smoke units seem to be the last to know. I have found this to be a signal issue from poor antenna connections.

Fred 

Well the R2/4LC or newer Receiver is the first to get the command.  Than the serial data is sent to the various components (motor driver, Railsounds,  Smoke regulator)

 

So if the command is received I don't think antenna issues are it, unless nothing gets the command. Now maybe a Receiver is not transmitting a strong enough serial data signal for the ACREG or smoke receiver, or maybe a noise issue, etc...  G

OK so I am still not happy with this.  I don't think it's working properly at all. 

 

I will say the regulator has been changed out once.  Its almost as if the command for the 3 levels of smoke is not being "held".  It on/off or boost.  Which is not right for a Legacy engine.  I was going to order a new reg and maybe a command board.

 

On a side note, the regulator was sent to me by a forum member.  I wonder if it wasn't the correct code?  I went on the Lionel parts site and the regulator for this engine needs to be 691ACRG103 AC REGULATOR (S03 CODE).  Looks like I'll open it up and check.

 

My bet would be on the regulator also.
I had a similar is with a NYC mogul.
It had intermittent response to the TMCC boast.
I found myself having to hold the button longer and longer.
Firt I thought it was the fan circuit on the smoke unit. It is supposed to kick in also on the boast command. Replaced smoke unit, opened up hole and replaced the batting just like recommended. Improved smoke but not the boost problem.
New regulator and overall performance exceeds my previous best performers. I run it chuffing slow if a I want a quick "fog" effect in the train room.
The I usually need to shut it off or evacuate.