Transformer keeps switching off

need the engine item number  to help you ok thanks! ps what is the current before you power up the engine in neutral or if using dcs what current before you start engine? are u using smoke on or not?

Alan

Ohh ok thanks newbie mistake i will get that! Im at work right now. Yes! Im using the dcs. The engine is just getting started will get up to a good speed then the sound deepens and a couple of seconds later it stops blows smoke and turns off. Seems like a safety feature to me. Dont know if the pic helps or not. Ill will get the numbers after work. Thanks for the reply 

The transformers will protect your trains from overload and short circuit by shutting down when they see either of those conditions.  Your train in the photo certainly shouldn't overload your transformer.  It sounds like it might be smoke unit related.  If you can separately turn the smoke off on that locomotive try that.  See if running the train without smoke eliminates the overload. 

Thank you. I can definitely see i have a ton to learn!! I will definitely try that and get back to you

I tried turning it off my the screw on the underneath of the coal car. No go I read and reread and did the full turn counter clockwise and it still blew smoke and turned off. So I took the top off and that wick is burned up! All kinds of nasty stuff on the coils. Reminds me of my vapor e-cig. Why isnt regular cotton used? Anyway i need some wick and I'll retry it. Dont understand why the smoke doesnt turn off though any ideas?

  In general, the smoke usally gets turned off by a switch somewhere or in the command settings. Not all units have a shut off. (but count me as mth weak) Adding one is likely an option if it doesnt have one. I would have to assume that tender dial is a manual volume knob. (but ASSuMEd)

  If you tend to ignore filling them, the burnt wicking isn't all that will suffer. The fluid also keeps the element cool enough to not burn up. Less cooling action= a shorter life. Old post war was nichrome wire wrapped on a ceramic 'disc'. The ceramic kept the wire cooler if dry so those lasted without an off switch.

   You could try some acetone on the char. New elements aren't very costly, packing is real cheap. Even the mfgs offer a few different packings. All work best for different folks opinions . Home brew wicking varies from pink household fiberglass to oil lamp wicks with results a variable.

Any char will slow wicking, char on the element will shorten that wire life reataining more heat too. But most will get charred wick over time. Expect to deal with it from time to time, hot rodded smoke units more so...but what a gain

That's all the wicking? Ive never seen that little of an amount in one.

Repacking, keep it fluffy with good airflow in mind as well as good wicking to the elements.

(and carful with acetone around plastics and such, it's mean)

Thanks and yes that is all the wicking it had in it from the box!

Would this smoke issue cause the whole train to shut down and the power to cut off?

If you are using DCS, turning the pot off won't have any effect. Press number one key on the remote to turn smoke on and off. You have to use a process of elimination; nothing on track, engine only, smoke off or on,cars only, etc., and report back.

Smoke wont turn off even with the manual screw on coal car. Im using a DCS remote commander. There is no 1 button........

Nothing is on the track even cleaned it with alcohol swabs. My question is if the smoke pot is running will it shut off if something is wrong i.e. overheat?

OK, the pot should have worked with your setup. Try unplugging the smoke if it has one. If the transformer is tripping after only a few seconds, there is a short somewhere.