Far more likely the batteries are dead than a fuse I would imagine.
Strummer posted:I mentioned (in a different thread I guess) that I don't have any Legacy or TMCC systems, and have been (attempting) to run this with my MRC O27 transformer. The online manual says this engine can be used in such a fashion.
You should have mentioned that in this thread. 
Mystery solved I think. First off, for conventional, the smoke unit is pulsed when you're stopped to only keep the element slightly warm until you're moving. When you start moving, full track voltage is applied to the smoke unit. As slow speeds, you probably won't see much smoke, it'll start working better once you get moving.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Strummer posted:I mentioned (in a different thread I guess) that I don't have any Legacy or TMCC systems, and have been (attempting) to run this with my MRC O27 transformer. The online manual says this engine can be used in such a fashion.
You should have mentioned that in this thread.
Sorry. 
The thing is, it (the smoke unit) did work initially, both on the bench and trackside; now it doesn't, at any speed.
Question: the cloth-covered wire, going from the smoke unit itself to the "motherboard" appears to have a "bulge" in it, just outside the unit which is covered by additional plastic; you can see it clearly in my initial photo.
Is there a resistor in there, or something else that may have a bad connection? That's where I was jiggling it before, and made it work briefly...could be I broke a wire or something at that spot. (?)
Mark in Oregon
Nothing but a solder connection in there, no resistors or other components.
You're right, of course!
Since I'm a dinosaur, and still clinging to simple transformers/power packs for control, I think I'm probably just going to gut this engine, and run it on DC. The fact that it also runs erratically on straight AC has figured into this decision as well.
Gimme a simple drive train, motor and headlamp, and I'm happy. As I posted elsewhere once (I think I was referring to post-war engines at the time), all I need is a couple of screwdrivers, a soldering gun, and (now) my Optivisor and I can (usually) get just about anything running.
Anyway, I do appreciate all the help and suggestions.
Mark in Oregon
EDIT: It's a done deal; was easy enough to do, and now this thing (sans smoke, of course) runs beautifully in either direction off my Heathkit DC power source.
I know it was sacrilege to do this, but I'm never gonna go the TMCC/Legacy route, and now I have a fine running and good looking engine I can actually use. I hope you'll still let me participate in this Forum after doing such an awful thing...
