Lionel starter set locos

Most of these come with a 28 ohm ceramic coated resistor. It will help if you install a 27 ohm wire wound resistor. I have done that on one of my starter set engines and while it helps the output is still low.

Because these are usually  run with about 8-10 volts on the track the resistor is still not getting hot enough in most cases.

I have wondered if a Post War 16 ohm element would fit in these puffer units. They appear to be similar. I think MTH also offers 16 ohm wire wound resistors that could replace the existing resistor.

My post war burns fluid even better than pellets with the repro flat elements.

Pete

These starter sets 4-4-2 have the molded plastic one piece unit.  So it is not like the PW versions, or the modern remake used in the PE, or 0-8-0 types.

To rebuild them you need to separate the seam at the bottom.  The problem is resealing.  I have done it successfully.  Even rebuilt my PW 746 smoke unit that way.  Used an epoxy to reseal.  The issue with the start is the seam is on the bottom, while the PW 746 is on the top.  So it you don't do it correctly, you leak smoke fluid.

Also they have whistles not horns  The trick some do is removing or shorting the 50 ohm resistor that limits the whistle motor voltage.  Lionel may have a video on the website how to do this.  G

I have a few of the 4-4-2's covering a wide range of production years, the most recent being from a couple years ago. And yes, the whistle as it comes is not nearly loud enough. Other than the front guide truck, I do't see any internal differences between the 2-4-2's and the 4-4-2's.

I've tried smoke fluid brands (Bachmann, Model Power, SuperSmoke, Crest) other than the basic Lionel type that comes included in the sets and have found, without question, the new Lionel premium smoke fluid puts out the most smoke.

Granted it will never be like a fan driven smoke unit. Still, the output of smoke is noticeably better with the Lionel premium fluid.

thanks for all the input.

been surfing the Lionel web site for

smoke unit parts.

in the world of smoke units,

whats the difference between a 27ohm

and 8ohm resistor????

Ive got a Lionel #3000 NYC 4-8-2 Mohawk that I need to

replace the resistor in the smoke unit. its been burnt

to a crisp

Less ohms means less resistance to electical current flow.

That means more current flows, and more heat is generated.

The whistle is quiet because of Fed. regulations on childrens' toys. Don't want to hurt their tender developing ears.

The 8 ohm resisters are for use with the Command control engines with AC smoke regulators. They would burn up if connected directly to the track.

Pete

so Im having trouble finding the schematic

on the Lionel Web site for that particular

smoke unit.

similar smoke units use the 8 ohm resistor.

Does that sound right for the Lionel #3000

4-8-2 Mohawk

Seems to be 19 ohms.

I couldn't resist. 

But I think you meant to ask about 28 ohm versus 27 ohm.  [yeah, i'm not gonna]

Less ohms means more current, which means more heat.  But also wire-wound might be more durable, also.

  --Joe

I would use a 27 or 22 ohm resistor in this unit.

http://www.lionel.com/CustomerService/ReplacementParts/index.cfm?doAction=productPartFilter&number=6108009001&productID=2280fd76-e864-4227-a306-1d1b50a57f38

Bill

boxcar bill,

that schematic only shows me the loco and nothing

on the smoke unit or resistors.

There really ain't enough to the smoke unit to bother with a schematic.

The sum total of electronic parts is a resistor and a light socket.

I'm going to pop the bad one from my Chessie Flyer apart when I get home tonight.

Typically track power driven smoke units such as the mechanical puffers us a 27ohm resistor.  It is about the right resistance from track power in conventional mode (12-14V).  Some might lower it to 22 or 24 ohms for a hotter element.  G

If I remmeber correctly it has a 28 Ohm resistor, thats why I suggested a 27 or 22 ohm resistor. The newer starter set 4-4-2's use a 16 Ohm resistor.

Bill

so let me get this straight,

a 27 or 22 ohm resistor is recommended.

but if I use a 16 or even an 8 ohm

resistor, Ill get better smoke, BUT

the resistor may burn up quiker because it gets

much hotter???

Lionel uses 27 to 30ohm resistors when powered by track in conventional engines.  Depending on the loco and who it was for.

Many find a 22 ohm as a better replacement.

MTH uses 16 ohms but they have logic to control voltage.

Lionel uses 8ohm on smart smoke units that only provide 6-8V to the element.

If you put 8 ohms in a track powered unit it will burn up fast.  G