Question/Opinion on Lionel LC+2 Smoke (Docksider)

@Soo Line posted:

It is my opinion that the LC+2 engines (steamers) I have simply smoke too much.

So my question is.    Can I replace the 16 OHM resistor with an 8 OHM resistor to see if the results might be better?

No, absolutely not an 8 Ohm. That would likely burn out the circuit resulting in NO smoke ever again- or smoke from the expensive electronics. Again on so many levels- no 8 Ohms is so wrong of an answer it hurts. Lower resistance than original 16 Ohms increases power and heat- making it worse.

If you want less smoke- higher resistance or just turn it off. 18, 20, 22, or 27 Ohms  would not in theory burn out the control circuit, and produce less heat and less smoke. But I do not recommend changing the resistor because none of this is tested- thus voids any warranty.

Thanks Vernon

I went the wrong way on my question.  Apologies to readers.

I have repacked the smoke unit in different ways with different wicking in an attempt to "slow" down the smoke volume, with no results.

I am not worried about warranty,  way past that.

I might get 4 minutes of smoke before it begins to smell bad due to excessive heat.  I usually shut it off for a while and refuel for another round.

I have 22 OHM resistors and wonder if you think this one may work.  Not looking for guarantees, just educated opinions.

Thanks

22 is a significant value increase and would reduce smoke resistor temp in theory.

Here's what I do not know. Lionel uses now a common shared platform of electronics between Legacy and Lionchief plus 2.0. Basically, the same ICs function and so forth but different firmware. Example, the LCP2 board has provisions for smoke thermistor- but in LC+2.0, it's not used. We also know it can sense fan faults and may be able to sense resistor changes/faults?

Again, I don't know if 22 Ohms is too much of a jump and results in no smoke or too low, and if it trips the electronics into thinking there is a fault.

You can try it and see what happens and report back.

Thanks Vernon

I am going to give the 22 OHM a try.  Will post results tomorrow when I am able to finish.

Dave

Success

The 22 OHM resistor has worked nicely.  I have been testing for a couple of hours now.

Smoke reduction by about one third.  In the pic with the black shield behind the smoke unit is at less than one minute after start up with 10 drops of fluid into a cold depleted smoke unit.  The other pictures show smoke production after a couple of minutes of running.  After a full running session from smoke fill to needing a smoke fill....no bad odour. 

As far as packing the smoke unit, I put enough in that the resistor is just nicely resting on the wicking.

One picture shows the smoke resistor I put in and the reading of 21 OHMs

I am pleased with the results and the electronics did not reject or show faults.

My only complaint with the LC2+ steamers is the lack of smoke control.  I would gladly give up the whistle/bell choices for a L M H smoke control function.

@Soo Line posted:

You can use the #8 on the keypad to lower the smoke volume but the reduction produced is minimal.

FWIW, while the steps are there for the regulator setting, it doesn't actually change the smoke volume on the LC+ 2.0.  I verified this by 'scoping the heater and running through the steps, no change in the drive power to the smoke heater.

Thanks John.

Appreciate knowing this despite LIONEL clearly telling us it was possible. 

No wonder I struggled with this manual printed option with no results !!

I really like what you did here. Nice work. As long as the new resistance does not create a problem in the electronics that power the resistor, higher resistance will generate less heat and therefore less oil will be needed to evaporate and reject that heat. The fickle and inexact way that the wick material contacts/interacts with the resistor body is what makes each smoke unit unique. At least this has been my observation with MTH engine smoke. Each engine has it's own smoke personality which is part of the fun!

@Soo Line posted:

Thanks John.

Appreciate knowing this despite LIONEL clearly telling us it was possible.

No wonder I struggled with this manual printed option with no results !!

My test is a sample of one, but after seeing no effect visibly, I decided to test electrically.

Hello gentlemen. I’ve got a related question. I serviced my 0-6-0t and when I pulled the motor out the red power wire for the smoke unit (pictured) pulled off from where it was soldered. I cannot figure out where that wire goes and of course I can’t find a wiring diagram either. I don’t want to hook it up in the wrong place and blow a board.

I do agree with the smoke out out of this locomotive and I may end up doing this modification myself. Thank you for your help.

The fan motor- that's where the red wire goes. Again, the 2 red and black thin wires go down and are soldered to the 2 terminals on the smoke fan motor.

@Vernon Barry posted:

The fan motor- that's where the red wire goes. Again, the 2 red and black thin wires go down and are soldered to the 2 terminals on the smoke fan motor.

You are the man! I put the smoke unit back in and forgot to check the bottom of it. Thank you so much!