I have not yet been able to run my VL Big Boy, and I was wondering just about how many minutes of smoke do we get before it is refill time?I realize that smoke output is determined by various factors so I am looking for a range of times depending on what settings you use for the engine.
Bob C.
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I've been mainly running on low. I usually run my BB a few laps on my small layout while letting the dogs out or messing around with something in the basement. Probably a total of 20 minutes per night. At the end of the day I usually add another 12 drops to the stacks. Every other day I add about 8-10 drops to blow down and whistle depending on use.
The BB is thirsty. At first I thought I was over filling it but I think I wasn't giving it enough fluid. Since I've been doing this routine now, about a week, my smoke production is consistent and good.
If you run it on high, better plan on adding fluid about every 5 minutes! It is one thirsty beast! I also thought I must be adding too much fluid, but it really just uses it. Obviously, unless you have the whistle and blowdown going all the time, the main stacks are the big users.
10-30min for the stacks, depending on how hard I'm running it. The other two not near as much, just when they don't seem so strong as I remember.
at the club Tuesday I ran mine for a total of 3 hours, one hour on one hour off. I went through a half of a bottle of mega-steam hot chocolate. filling it about 3 to 4 times an hour. yes on high.
According to my "Chisanbop" calculations (anyone remember those commercials?).....32 (seems like that was always the number they figured) 
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