Lionel 6-28069 smoke unit.

EDIT: Please ignore this reply, because as others have noted this model's smoke unit did not come equipped with a thermistor.

How close is the heat sensor (thermistor) to the smoke resistor?  A picture of the disassembled smoke unit showing the distance between these 2 components will help us see if they are too close and preventing the circuit from making the resistor hot enough.

Here's a link to more discussion on how the distance between these two can affect smoke output.

Thermistor Question

Caution is also advised not to make them too far apart, else the resistor can overheat causing damage.  Picture would help.

@SteveH posted:

How close is the heat sensor (thermistor) to the smoke resistor?  A picture of the disassembled smoke unit showing the distance between these 2 components will help us see if they are too close and preventing the circuit from making the resistor hot enough.

Here's a link to more discussion on how the distance between these two can affect smoke output.

Thermistor Question

EDIT: Caution is also advised not to make them too far apart, else the resistor can overheat causing damage.  Picture would help.

These do not have thermistors.  Too early vintage.

@MartyE Thanks for the info.

One thing also to consider getting replaced if not already done would be the plastic gears. These engines suffered from having plastic gears that would chew up or break entirely if I'm not mistaken. I had Alex M do the work on fixing my gears as well as the smoke and chuff(4 per Rev) to the brass gears that make it pull out stumps with that Pittman motor.

you’ve installed a super chuffer, so I’m assuming the only alterations you’ve done to the smoke unit itself was to divorce the smoke motor wiring, and tie them into John’s super chuffer?……A couple things to look at, the batting, and where you mounted or where the heating resistor is mounted on the board. Too low, ie; deep down in the batting, will actually cause the resistor to cool off, and not make good heat….Too high, and all you’ll get is residual smoke where the fluid touches the resistor when being filled. I use 22OHM resistors that are suggested by many on here,……This engine does not have thermistors, as mentioned by Marty as well, it’s too old of a vintage.

Pat

Thank,  do you get your 22ohm resistors from Digikey?

The lowest value smoke resistor that doesn't risk the smoke triac on the R2LC is a 20 ohm 2W wire-wound resistor.

I buy the Stackpole CB5JB20R0 5W resistor and crush it diagonally in a vise, out pops a perfect smoke resistor.

John,  in your reply you say to use a 20 ohm 2 watt.  The link shows a 20 ohm 5 watt resistor.  Is that correct?

This is that engine with a 22 ohm 2 watt resistor. Its been renumbered but it was originally 6024. John has had good performance with a 20 ohm and it will likely smoke as well as an MTH engine assuming all the openings are clear along with good batting. I like decent smoke but MTH smokers are too much for my small room.

Note this is normal output, not enhanced with AUX1 9.

Pete

Where did you get the 22 ohm 2 watt resistor?

I buy the Stackpole CB5JB20R0 20 ohm 5W resistor and break off the outer ceramic shell.

Put the resistor diagonally in a vise and tighten until that ceramic case shatters.  Wear safety glasses, pieces sometimes fly.  Out pops a perfect 2W smoke resistor.  Ten of them are #3.40 and shipping can be as low as $4.99.

Thank you I will try the 20 ohm resistor.