Odd smoke unit problem

If it has a smoke regulator, the triac may be shorted.  Hence no command control. Switch kills AC input directly.  G

Thanks GGG.  That being the case should I assume the smoke unit is operating at its highest voltage when powered on?  From the amount of smoke coming out it certainly looks that way.  RICH

Yes and probably too high so I would turn off with switch.  Shorted Triac allows full track voltage 18VAC rather than 6-8V.  G

You will fairly quickly cook the smoke unit PCB past the point of no return.  Truthfully, with track voltage on it, I'm surprised it hasn't cooked the smoke resistor already.  That unit came stock with a 6 ohm resistor, with 18V on it, you're dissipating around 50 watts, roughly ten times what the smoke unit typically dissipates!  You get a LOT of smoke, and a LOT of damage that way.

Well,  I've shut the unit down.  It's still operational but the smoke output is ridiculously high.  A triac replacement it is then.  My limited knowledge in these areas is greatly enhanced by your advice.  Thanks to both of you.  RICH

It's not just a triac, it's the smoke regulator package.

Thanks John.  Seems it's usually fan motor fiddling or replacement.  I've been pretty lucky with the fleet so far.  This is new territory.  RICH

Well, for bad smoke, the motor has been a frequent offender.  However, for too much smoke, that's usually the regulator or the triac shorted on the R2LC for locomotives without the regulator.

There is definitely too much smoke.  The element started to turn orange before I cut power.  The regulator you referenced is in stock at Lionel and a great store called 'You Do It Electronics' is not far from me.  While on the subject of smoke units,  I try to stay away from opening these engines up unless necessary so, in your opinion, is a squealing fan motor just about done and would continued use kill it that much sooner?  Again, thanks for your time and advice.  RICH

The red hot element is a dead giveaway that you have a regulator failure.  I'd buy the resistor as well.  Lionel recommended changing the 6 ohm resistor to 8 ohms.  This is the replacement...

Of course, you'll also need that smoke regulator module as yours has surely bit the dust.

Thanks so much John.  RICH