Lionel Tug Boat Smoke Unit

 

A 68 ohm resistor on 18 volts track power would probably smoke reasonably well, it would dissipate almost 5 watts.  That's about the power you get with the stock 27 ohm resistor on a TMCC locomotive.  It depends on what you're driving it with.

I checked the Lionel site, seems they actually use a standard 27 ohm smoke unit in the tugboat, so I don't know what happened to yours.

 

I'd try a 20 in it.

 

 

I replaced the resistor with a 27 ohm that is working correctly. Night and day difference. Sooooo much smoke now. I run the tug at 14 volts. The smoke unit gets the full 14 volts. no need to put a 20 in. The electronics do not reduce the voltage.

14 volts across 27 ohms gives you over 7 watts, plenty to smoke you out!  You could actually drop the power a bit and have longer runs between fills of the smoke fluid.

 

Slightly off topic, but does the Lionel #6-14142 Industrial smoke stack have the same smoke parts? Is there a way to improve the stack smoke output?

Sorry to jump into this post.

You'd have to ask someone that's had them apart Don, there is no detail on the Lionel site.  Best option is to take a peek inside and see what's in there.  Measure the smoke resistor and see what value it is currently.

Don,

 

I looked up that model number on Lionel's site and it only gives you the part number of the smoke unit& pcb.  It states they are not available.  it also does not give any info on the smoke unit.  I tried searching the part number of the smoke unit but it gives no info. I would have to take one apart and get a reading on the resistor used.

Thank you John and Joe.