MTH Smoke problem

Usual stuff to do is feature or factory reset, then open unit up and check wiring and heater element connections.  If the fan is running, must have lost heat some how.   G

Pat, I get through on the house line.  Is this engine new or used?  What engine (number) is it?

The engine is a Rail King SD70 NS That was part of a set I bought new that included an oval of track, transformer and 3 container cars.  Proto sound 2.0.

Product support at MTH has been helpful in the past.  Talked to lady yesterday at MTH that said that the support departments phones were down and would be for several weeks.  I doubt that but who knows?  How do you get through?

Pst,

If you spoke to someone, how were the phone lines down?

I know that there was a data router problem yesterday, however, I got through on the phone this morning without any issues.

I spoke with someone by calling back and pressing 1 for sales as opposed to pressing 2 for customer support as I had been doing for several days.  Did you speak with someone in customer support?   Thanks

Yes, I did.

They did have a Technician course going that week also. 

We have also lost the old Web site, replacing it with the new.  So sound files have been lost too, until they can get everything crossed over.   G

You can access the old web site to get to any sound files that are not appearing on the new web site.

John,

You can access the old web site to get to any sound files that are not appearing on the new web site

Not any more. The old link now points to the new web site.

Thanks Barry,

Good to know that at least someone is there.  Sent them an e-mail Thurs.  Maybe they will reply to that soon.

Gee, just two weeks ago I went to the old site when Jeff told me that's where I'd find a sound file I needed.  Sure enough, you're right, it's not there anymore.

I had access 4 days ago, the following day I went there to get a file and it was gone.  Jeff knows about it, and hopefully it gets resolved, otherwise there will be a flood of e-mails to service asking for sound files.  G

I missed that George, sorry   I didn't realize they had just taken down the old site.  Since i was told just a couple weeks ago to use it, that caught me by surprise.

Me too.  Especially since I was in the middle of a repair and needed a sound file.  G

One wonders why take the site down when the sound files were all still captive and not moved over.  Apparently, the saga of the "new" MTH website still marches on.

Did you get the soundfile you needed?

Yes. Service is pretty good at responding to file request.  G

just so you all know I checked the sound file download yesterday and all is well and ready for downloads from MTH web sight now!

Alan

Alan, You checked all the engine ever made for sound files?  The new website had sound files posted, the problem was not everything that was on the old site was on it.  So as we move forward I guess will find out.    G

So my first troubleshooting technique for smoke units is to put my lip up to the smoke stack and see if I can feel any heat. it can be ahrd to tell since it is quite faint so a more sensitive part is need to feel it. If you can feel heat but no smoke youve got issues with your smoke resistors, replace them both. If you cannot feel any heat you will need to test to see if youre getting power at the wires to the resistors. You cant really test it with a volt meter since it uses PWM to set the voltage, youd need a O-scope to test it. Try a light bulb across the two points to see if there is power there. If so your resistors are bad, if no power youve got an issue with the board

Matt,  I like my lips.  Why not just plug some bulbs into the smoke unit plugs like the test set.  Easy to see what is going on.

Then simple resistance measurements on the smoke units.  8 ohms for elements and 12ohm for fan motor.  I have never had one not smoke if the reading were right, except for the occasional loose impeller.  G

I had an instance the other day where I had good resistance but no no smoke and I had power to the the resistors. When I put my lip up to the stack it was slightly warm but not like it should have been, the air coming out of the smoke unit doesnt get nearly hot enough to burn. There's no risk of injury unless your an indiot and start sucking on the smoke unit

Before concluding it is an electrical problem, it could be the wick is burnt and longer providing smoke fluid to the resistors.

Way to go BobbyO, still could be that

Bobby Ogage,

I wonder if that might be the case.  How do I check for that AND if it is can I repair it?

Thanks so much

Open up the smoke unit and look at the wick. if its brown/black and charred its wrecked and should be replaced