I had  problem with a K-Line caboose overheating, but so far no problems with Lionel cabooses.  That being said, I run the smoke units very little because this problem is always in the back of my mind.  Perhaps others can offer their experiences with Lionel smoke units in cabooses that are run frequently.

Just my opinion but, I never liked any caboose that had a smoke unit in it. I remember purchasing one of the Lionel "high-end" beautiful scale UP CA-4 caboose models, only to discover that it had a smoke unit inside, yet no working/illuminated marker lights! How ridiculous. I took out the smoke unit, and added a pair of Tomar illuminated markers, using the on-off switch for the marker lights.

@RON ARNDT 091718 posted:

I had  problem with a K-Line caboose overheating, but so far no problems with Lionel cabooses.  That being said, I run the smoke units very little because this problem is always in the back of my mind.  Perhaps others can offer their experiences with Lionel smoke units in cabooses that are run frequently.

Later models of K-Line smoking cabooses has a switch on the bottom for conventional or command track voltage.

When I saw the word Cabeese I thought I was going to see some more works of art from Brother Love.

Later versions of K-Line cabeese had a switch for running on fixed high voltage - and then - a piece of plastic over it such that you could not put it in conventional mode.

Occasionally I turn one on, but I only run conventional.  In the past I have purchased three that were already melted from the heat.  Got them really cheap.  I wanted the trucks and some other parts.

In the back of my mind i figured I should be able to heat my house in the winter with those three units.  It doesnt get that cold in south central Texas.

I had a scale Lionel I12 caboose with smoke a few years back.

I added fluid and turned the unit on and it started spitting and popping like a fryer spraying fluid all over the interior.

I took it apart and cleaned up the mess and never turned the smoke unit on ever again.

The smoke units in these are cheap with plastic bowls and no wicking.  Just a sleeved resistor.

Imo, don't bother. Additionally I find the oversized stack ugly so I only purchase scale cabooses without smoke.

This is why I never turn on the smoke units in mine.

The reason the older ones melt is because they were designed for conventional voltages, 10-12 volts typically.  When you have continuous 18-19 volts on the track, the overheat.  I've done a few for people with a small fan driven smoke unit, it doesn't overheat, and you get the quantity of smoke that looks good.

GRJ - what smoke unit did you use on your caboose conversions?

I used the MTH HO fan driven smoke unit.  Here's the top and side views.  The other smoke unit is the small O-gauge single resistor smoke unit that MTH uses in stuff like an A5 or the VO-1000 size switchers.

Can you give us the part numbers for those small smoke units? I was thinking of putting smoke into the new kitchen car or maybe the bunk car.

Oh...I just found the AA-2100002, the upper one in your pictures. Haven't found the number for the lower one. Which do you think might be better for a TMCC track voltage Kitchen or bunk car?

Well, neither of those are "perfect" as they require you provide some regulated power.  However, I don't know of a "perfect" one, so I used the HO version, MTH AA-1600000, that's the one circled in my previous graphic.  I supplied it with a AC-DC eBay supply, and dropped the fan voltage down using some diodes so I didn't need a second regulator.  The heater requires 5-6 volts, and the fan really wants to see no more than about 3 volts.

John,

What size resistor is in those smoke units? 20 ohm?

Chris, they're nominally 16 ohms.  I measured the two in my parts box, 15.6 and 17.4, so they're not exactly precision resistors.

If installing a regulator (AC-to-DC) as GRJ suggests, consider a so-called cycle-timer-relay module - about $4 on eBay (free shipping from Asia)***.

The idea is to turn the smoke unit ON for 2 minutes, OFF for 10 minutes, or whatever.  This would obviously reduce heat and probably even be more interesting...as if there's a conductor back there going about his affairs.  For example, it could also drive an LED when on.  If simulating a stove, how about coffee or bacon scented smoke fluid - a guy's gotta eat!

***The "free shipping from Asia" gravy train may have finally left the station. I've read how the USPS is adjusting the fees they charge to deliver international packages and it looks like the Asia eBay sellers are adjusting their prices accordingly.

If you are worried about melting plastic on caboose with smoke units, take the body off and line the interior walls with aluminum foil. This acts as a heat deflector and the plastic will not melt.

Well... that's not really 100% true.  Yes, it will help, but if the smoke unit gets hot enough, it'll still melt.  Besides, most of the caboose smoke units don't put out enough smoke to see.  While you don't want a steam engine look, having a steady stream of smoke waft out of the caboose is the look most are after.

This why I ordered, getting an MTH Premier Line Caboose. No smoke unit!!! I don't want smoke unit in my caboose anyway.  I'll post pics when I get my caboose.

I may have a smoking caboose in my collection, but being a limited operator (until my layout is built) , I've probably never used it.

I couldn't help but see irony in the title.   

Modern-Era Cabeese

Oh, I removed the word smoking.