Legacy 4-12-2....Smoke issue 12/7 Update-Still Need Help

check with MARTY Fitzhenry he can help you! not good getting excess smoke fluid all over inside any electronic engine, may have damaged boards. Marty can help you with this one

Alan

Thanks Alan.

Hope Marty or GRJ can help me fix it on my own.

if that had happened to my engine I would not have powered it up at all and taken completely apart and see exactly what got wet and how much fluid got on what components, then I would go on the forum and see what Marty recommends ok wish you the best and good luck, hope it turns out not to be too expensive to repair, electronics do not ever want to get wet with any liquid.!!!! I repair down to component level when ever possible much cheaper that way, if I can help you I live in new jersey!

I have retired from a nuclear power plant and repaired boards that had been hit with lightening and made them work again!

Alan

The bad news:  the best thing to do would have been nothing....as in not run it until the fluld dries or evaporates some.  But that horse is out of the barn.

This sounds simple but for now, try not to power it up....at all.  Then, take a blow dryer and point it down the stack.  Do this several times a day for several days....and then see if it works.

If you can get it run again, run it in Reverse.  SLOWLY. 

This is the totally unscientific approach....but keeps you from having to take anything apart.  That may be a foregone conclusion at this point....but it's worth a try, IMHO.

Thanks.

My "little helper" told me after it stopped and I asked questions...or, I would've let it sit for a week or so.

The irony-I NEVER run smoke! It was only for the helper!

86TA355SR posted:

Thanks.

My "little helper" told me after it stopped and I asked questions...or, I would've let it sit for a week or so.

The irony-I NEVER run smoke! It was only for the helper!

No worries.  It happens.  Eventually, you'll laugh about this when he/she is older.

And if you have to pay for a train repair, just take it out of the College Fund. 

Had to be more than 50 drops to get all over like that ;-) that will hold 50 no problem..... unless it was one big quick squeeze. 

First thing you need to do is open the smoke unit up and change the wicking while you are inside.  Use the shreaded rope wicking 691SMKP008.  Let everything dry out for a day or so.  You may get lucky.  Stay away with a hair dryer.  While there, check the reading on your heaters.  You can do that from the top of the board.  Look for 8 ohms.  

With all due respect Marty, shouldn't the OP just see how much it dries out on its own before taking everything apart?  The loco has already had current run through it while saturated....so whatever damage has been done is not likely to be undone. 

Not every one has the ability to tear into these units like you do. 

Not so with the fiberglass pad.  If you do not open the unit and leave the saturated pad in, it is not going to dry.   Those pads are not a good thing.  They hold fluid and the wet pad will cool the heating element and it will not burn off.  Turning the loco upside down will do nothing.  I have several Legacy locomotives.  The first thing I do is open them up and deep six the fiberglass pad.  

When I have to clean smoke fluid off boards and the like, I use alcohol and a toothbrush to clean the PCB's.  With a soaking that bad, I suspect it will have to come apart to clean it up.

I have to disagree that it's OK to keep trying to run it.  The smoke fluid isn't going to simply go away, even soaking up the excess with a rag is a lot better than just letting it stay all over everything.

Well, if John and Marty say to take it apart....then let it be so!

GRJ-thanks for the info. I 'll get it cleaned up and report back.

Marty-I should have time to replace the wick tonight. 

I really hope I get a "free one" on this!

Appreciate the help!

GRJ/Marty-I have 8 ohms at the main smoke unit. The fan runs the same speed no matter if on low, medium, or high.

 I'm going to stop and buy some electrical spray cleaner (Lectra Clean) on the way home tomorrow. Will report back.

I had an over fill incident on my VL Centipedes. That model had the Legacy board under the rear smoke unit and when the smoke unit overfilled it coated the bard. The loco would run for about 50 feet then stall out. I cleaned it up and scrubbed off the boards with CRC electronic cleaner and a toothbrush and it runs like a champ now. Smoke fluid didnt ruin my board and it was covered with the stuff. I dont run smoke at shows anymore because of that

I hope I get as lucky as you, Matt.

The CRC electric cleaner is awesome stuff. Used it for years and love the stuff. Can't believe I'm out of it-gives me an excuse to go to my favorite store!

I be shocked after it's cleaned it doesn't work. 

I bought the CRC contact cleaner and wire drying spray.

 I will take everything apart and clean well.  

Let's hope for the best!

And....absolutely no change after all the cleaning.

I did a reset prior to trying it. 

Now what?

Out of the box, I over filled my Lionel Legacy 10 wheeler. After sucking the excess fluid from the smoke unit, it fired up and smoked great. I probably put about 1 hour run time on it. I guess I was lucky, BUT, should I open it up and do a proper cleaning?

Keith:  if it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

If everything is operational now, you should be fine.

Thanks Berk, that's the position I have taken.

What do I do or check now? Thanks!

Any ideas before I order new boards?

not sure what to do next....

Thanks