Lionel vision line hudson smoke help pleae

xxl posted:

This all started when the smoke unit flashed three times.   I read on this forum how lionel had a bad run of motors.  So i replaced the motor   it was direct from lionel  and re assembled the unit.     Worked fine for a bit then it did the same a few weeks later so took it apart and lubed the motor shaft.    Tested it ran okay put it back together and now it did the same thing stopped working what could be wrong with it.   Is there something i am leaveing out?    I noticed it dose have a slight buzz to it.   tried to make sure everything thing lined up.    Rather not send it in for work

You could make sure the impeller isn't rubbing against the PC board or gasket. 

i ll try to check that maybe it needs a new housing?

Let me preface my comments by saying I'm not an expert. Lionel appears to have had a incredibly bad run on fan motors. I have replaced 6 in the last year and most times it was at least the second time. I test them and oil them before installation but that doesn't appear to help.

I have read most every post regarding smoke units. I have read that some use MTH fans with a higher level of success.

Good Luck!

Jeff thank you so much for chiming in.     I think i will give that a go   Do you by any chance have a part number for the mth fan?  Now i don't feel so bad

I replaced another smoke unit fan motor yesterday as I related in another post and I forgot to share one observation. It seems that the smoke motors must start up with a very low voltage and not "hang up" upon power up. I noticed that the bad smoke motor on my dummy SP Shark would just stall and the first thing I did notice was the wear from the impeller on the smoke circuit board. I think this likely damaged the motor bearing just enough to require an excessive voltage at start-up causing the motor failure and 3 blinks of death. I remember ordering some non-Lionel dc motors that appeared to be compatible but I have not tried one. I have asked gunrunnerjohn if he has and I am waiting on his insights. 

So, even with the oiling it is likely you will have the change the motor since the voltage/amperage requirement to start the motor is likely excessive. When these things sit for a period of time it will only make an excessive current draw issue worse.

This sounds like a case of the  empeller  hitting the top of the PCB board, which will put a strain on the motor and burn them out. 

Just like Marty E said above. 

Thanks

Alex 

Going to go take it apart again

If nothing else it's worth a look. If not then try the MTH motor. 

have similar issues with my vision line Hudson.  had the main smoke unit replaced twice while under warranty.  Went to run it a few days ago and got the 3 cab light blinks.  For anyone who has taken this engine apart, how difficult is it ?

ed h posted:

have similar issues with my vision line Hudson.  had the main smoke unit replaced twice while under warranty.  Went to run it a few days ago and got the 3 cab light blinks.  For anyone who has taken this engine apart, how difficult is it ?

Ed - Get on the phone with XXL and go in there together!!

As long as the MTH motor fits, I normally use them for replacements.  There are some Lionel motor locations where the slightly longer MTH motor won't fit, but most places they work fine.  They have a slightly shorter shaft, but I haven't had an issue using them anyway.

Ed the engine its self isnt to hard to take apart.    You have to make sure to get the linkage to the lubricator  off very small  Check out this thread 

https://ogrforum.com/t...n-line-hudson-owners

I use a very small nut driver.    Second there is a silver screw that hold the front of the boiler on take that out you may need to remove the wheel screw of the front truck.     Thrid there is two screws that hold the rear cab on.   They sit right behind the main rear drive wheels.   I would also take off the rear truck screw to make access easier.    From there the engine will separate.      The smoke unit is held to the chassis with two screws and one wire connection.     Have patients on reassembly the back cab is tricky to get in.     Also the hand rails can be slightly wiggled to put back into position.     I hope this helps any questions please ask.     

I just got mine put back together i hope the slight adjustment i made helps its buzzing alot less.   Also when i was in there i saturated the batting now the smoker is working to good.   I have smoke coming out the sides a bit.    We will see how this works out.    Thank you for all your input folks

XXL - I found a note on the MTH fan # BE-0000041 and an "upgraded" Lionel fan # 6101154130.

I believe this note may be a couple years old though.

I haven't had any issues with the new Lionel motors .. If you have some from a few years ago they where junk.  

XXL - Thanks for dis-assembly instructions, sounds a little challenging to get apart.

Have any owners out there replaced the Lionel fan unit with a MTH one ?  Do the MTH fans hold up better than the Lionel ones ?

I have put a number of MTH motors in Lionel smoke units.  I've never gotten one back with the MTH motors.  I hear tell that the new Lionel motors have solved the reliability issues, but I've yet to develop any experience, I just got a few recently.

ED H it isnt to bad just take your time.   makr sure also you put the steam pipe back in the cylinder