Seeking a Source for Rocket Launcher Smoke Unit

@jjm  Here's idea I posted before on another thread on how you to get smoke to come out of a Post War 175 rocket launcher.

The first thing you need is smoke exhaust paths under your Post War 175 launch pad.  I used 1" x 4" wood under my launch pad.

After you landscaped the openings under the launcher it should look something this.  These little exhaust openings are small enough that your visitors will never notice.

That 3" round galvanized pipe in the first construction photo coming up from under the train table.  It goes back to an old fog machine my kids left behind.  The fog machine was in my garage anyways, so I might as well be using it for something (new fog machines are not that much online).

Fill holding tank with "fox juice" and mounted it up under the train table with 1/2" straps.  Then, place the other end of that 3" galvanized pipe over this 2" opening.

After the fog machine is plugged in, it takes about 5 minutes to fully warm up.  You can see the red glowing light on the wired controller in this photo.

Once the red light goes off, the fog machine is ready for action.  While my guests are busy working the vintage rocket launching panel, I have my finger on the fog machines "On" button.  They have no idea what going to happen next.

While they are desperately trying to launch the rocket you can see the 4 exhaust shafts under the launch pad directing smoke away.

Since its an original Post War175 controller the spring under the rocket is temperamental and the rocket doesn't always launch as its suppose too :-)

Sure, I could stop the smoke at anytime but that's when my now frantic visitors are panicking.  I tell them if they don't push that little red "fire" button the rocket will explode on the launch pad.  The whole time my finger is on the fog machine button making even more smoke that finally engulfs my visitors and fills the train room.

I have to admit, its my favorite Post War accessory when visitors come over and they always remember the experience.  Also, it usually means we have to stop playing trains for about 10 minutes until the smoke clears out.

Have fun with your rocket launching!   p.s. make sure you are not going to set off any fire sprinklers or smoke alarms in your house

I saw your post and loved it!  Unfortunately, I don't have enough space to build it out.  But it is something I would aspire to do!

You can replace just the heating resistor, It is the standard 27 ohm smoke unit resistor. 8141-50 I think is the number. Don't re-add the sleeve though. Won't make as much smoke as the pictured above, but more than the original configuration without the fiberglass sleeve.

Thanks, Chuck.  I think the small fan failed too.  Any source for that?

jjm  - I don't know how small the fans you need are but I have a few dozen of these laying around.  They are DC brushless 12VDC @ .1 amp.   You are welcome to a few if they will help or you just want to try them.    Oh - they are just a little over 1.5 inches square. My email is in my profile.  JP

JP, that is so generous.  Thanks.  This is a very tiny motor attached to a metal housing.  I think I need something smaller. 

Oh yea - we are talking real small. I should have known they were like the ones in the smoke units which this is. Oh well, I tried.  JP

The little motors are available too. The original smoke unit is rebuildable.

Thanks, Chuck.  Source for motor?

@jjm posted:

Thanks, Chuck.  Source for motor?

Right from the horses' mouth, Lionel.

Thanks, John.

Interesting.  If you poke around the Lionel parts catalogue, you find

It looks a lot like the "unavailable" Rocket Launcher smoke unit, but at a much higher price ($45 vs $15).  Just seems to be missing the output connection on the side.  Probably has an output on the top.  Still, that's a hefty difference!

Unless the pot metal bowl is bad, there's no point in replacing it.  Ditto for the PCB.  You can replace the motor, impeller, resistors, and even the fan power supply components.  They're all readily available.

JP, I sent you an email about kitbashing the fans into

a waving flag tower project. Let me know if we can work something out.

I need about 64 CFM (cubic airflow per minute). The volts of yours

seem like the right level. Thanks UnclePeteRR.

15.00 is the 2002 price. it would be around 50.00 today.

Thanks, but I was able to order it just 4 years ago when it was in stock.  I am pretty sure it was $15.  Would you kindly provide your source for the 2002 price claim?

T.Albers

I enjoyed your post on the fog machine smoke system you made to enhance the rocket launcher blast off smoke.  Great job and I know your visitors are all over whelmed.

My wife will not tolerate smoke from a Lionel steam engine so it would be controversial, to say, the least around here.

Charlie

The going rate for a similar smoke unit 610-8057-200 is 45.00 (see above post). I haven't seen a 15.00 fan driven smoke unit in many years. Even today, the top resistor board is 20.00+.

Actually I am surprised that Lionel had any at all. Here is copy of the master parts list from around 2010 and they don't show them being available even then.

Hi all,

I know this is a late post to this thread, but I need some guidance for a smoke unit for the 175 Rocket Launcher. I have one of those oldies, but goodies, and until I saw this thread, never knew there was a version with smoke. Mine does not have any such feature. I searched the Lionel parts replacement site, and all related smoke units are noted as "unavailable".   Any suggestions to add this feature?  I'm fine with doing some kitbashing to modify the unit.  The fog unit shown above is great to see...but I could never accommodate that in my limited space.

That unit and it's surroundings (mountain scene) are next on my list of scenery tasks, so this is timely to address.

Thanks,
Michael