MTH Smoke Wick - burnt!

I am interested in what technique you used when repacking it.  I have a scale mth big boy  (I assume the approach is the same) and the smoke unit seems to struggle getting the smoke above boiler (trying to divert the smoke up the two stacks separately) as compared with my other mth models.

Mike

I actually really like the new braided wick from MTH, and when I rebuild the smoke units with it, it really puts out the smoke.  I haven't had any excessive burning, but the usual cause of burning is simply running out of fluid.

 

Make sure the fan is wired to turn clockwise.  Make sure gasket between heat housing and fan housing is not blocking port.  Make sure wick is not blocking port or the funnel outlet.   Make sure wick is pinched between the 2 elements.  Make sure ohm reading is 8 ohms which indicates both smoke element are fine.  If one opens, the reading will be 16 ohms.   G

G,

 

Thanks for the tips.  I have done all of them besides the resistor test.  I shot a video of the smoke out put it is producing.  It is not the volume I am complaining about but the thrust to lift the smoke above the boiler.  My other engines lift the smoke at least 6 inches before the smoke diffuses as opposed to what my video shows of the big boy.  Does this look typical or should look to rebuild this unit again?

 

http://youtu.be/Bf8YQsKkeuc

 

THanks,

 

Mike

HY Mike - just watched your video. It looks to me like something is blocking the passage of air or your fan blades aren't spinning.

 

I had the blades problem and a dab of glue on the drive spindle from the motor cured that.

 

My pal's tip for loading the new wick was to make sure it all sat over one side and well away from the air flow so as to achieve maximum exhaust. It worked for me.

 

MIKE

Your fan is spinning, but if the impeller is loose that could slow the flow, or if the impeller is not in all the way and maybe is rubbing slightly on a swollen gasket.  Is this under DCS or conventional ops?

 

I would open it up again and make sure the elements read proper and are not damaged with burnt residue that can impede heat transfer.

 

If there is no blockage might be time for a new motor.  The video stopped before we saw neutral smoke output.

 

The only other thoughts are smoke pot or DCS commanded reduced volume.  I don't personally have a BB, but a Brass Upgrade I did using a BB Quillable Whistle sound file produced significant amounts of smoke, with a new MTH smoke unit installed.   G

The motor sounds pretty loud, but to me the smoke output is also pretty anemic, MTH smoke units can do a lot better than that, especially with a new wick.  It does look like there is very little airflow out the stack.  I like the idea of replacing the motor.  I actually double the braided wick and put it directly in the middle between the resistors.  As long as there is plenty of airflow around it, the smoke will exhaust properly.