No Smoke in Conventional mode Problem

Mike,

in command, the smoke unit is getting 18 V and smokes well.

In conventional, the voltage to the rails is much lower on average, accounting for the low or non-existent smoke output. Just the nature of conventional running.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Thanks and understand but in conventional Neutral at full power...nothing...

Ideas?

Thanks again,

Mike

Try swapping the R2LC with another working unit, see if the issue follows the R2LC.

Thanks John,

I'll try that (after the granddaughter goes to bed...) and let you know how it turns out.

Thanks again,

Mike

I'm having the same issue with a Lionel PWC N&W J steam loco.

Smokes great in TMCC mode but nothing in conventional mode even when sitting idle at full 18v. 

 Edit  - I test ran it and found that the smoke unit actually does produce smoke in conv. mode but the smoke unit's fan won't kick on.

A sudden flash hit me, I think I know what's going on!

I noticed that in conventional mode, something I rarely run or test, that the R2LC-C08 turns off the smoke unit if the locomotive isn't moving!  I forgot all about that until both of you mentioned the same issue.

Sorry that escaped me before, I was recently working on a repair for someone that runs conventional and noticed that oddity.

Thanks John for the insight!

Do you happen to know if this "feature" was changed in a different version of the R2LC that might also still function otherwise correctly in the Dash-9?  (This one has bulbs not LEDs and it currently is the R2LC07C)

Thanks again as always!

S/F Mike

I do not, but someone must.  Recalling the issue, I actually swapped out the R2LC for a couple of others and all exhibited the same behavior in conventional mode.  So, I made the logical assumption that it was by design.

Thanks, John. I never knew about that feature.

Jim

Not trying to hi-jack the original post but just wanted to elaborate on my scenario since it may be related and i was incorrect in my earlier post.

Again, a Lionel PWC N&W J. 

TMCC

Pulmor motor

Fan driven smoke unit

Loop of fastrack powered with a Lionel ZW-C (handle set at full 18v) and 135w brick.

Everything works PERFECTLY in Command Mode (using Legacy remote).

However, in conventional mode, the smoke unit DOES create smoke BUT the fan does NOT come on to force it out of the stack. Instead the smoke just hovers at the opening of the stack like fog from dry ice. The more voltage applied, the more smoke created but still not fan.

Tried sitting in neutral at full 18v. - nothing

Tried attaching a heavy string of cars - nothing

Tried forward, backward - nothing.