When do you add smoke fluid?

I add when the smoke volume begins to drop off during operating and then when I shut down to keep the wick wet until I run again.  Plus, I add more than a few drops, more like 15 to 20.

I agree with budgerman, in addition, with diesels I primarily add the night before or even a day or two if possible. The fluid usually has farther to go in a diesel to get down into the wicking. Remember to gently blow down the swtack after adding fluid to make sure it doesn't get trapped in the stack.

That is what I do 

I add as needed while running and then add a few drops when the session is over.

That's what I do to just like everyone above

 

Thanks, Alex

When do you add smoke pellets? 

 

Pete

i had advice from someone who ought to know that adding fluid to a hot smoke unit could cause the fluid to crystallize.  best to add when unit is cool.

If it's going to crystallize then there's something wrong with their fluid. Everybody I know adds fluid when needed. You should shut down power though on fan driven units as it will blow the fluid back up the stack.

It depends on the smoke unit too. Some hold more than others.

With the Williams with the sueth smoke / boiler lubricator it doesn't make any difference it's gonna spit it all over the stack anyway.

David

Volatile liquids do not crystallize. Sorry.

 

Bob Di Stefano

Well, the dude who told me this is named mike Reagan. I trust him.

I know Mike Reagan is right but when my engine needs smoke I give her a few drops.

If the engine has been sitting for awhile, lets say a few days I will add fluid at the start of the run. This is because I can seldom remember how much I put in on the last run and how long it ran for.

Do all smoke units need to have some smoke fluid in the engine to avoid a dry wick from burning up and damaging the unit?  I thought at one time I heard that the Train America Studios (TSA), Mike Reagan's company, smoke unit did not have that problem?  Who now uses the previously TSA smoke units, if anyone.

 

For fear of burning up a unit, I think I may sometimes put smoke fluid in too often.

 

          paul m.

Hi Paul, I'm not saying you are wrong but I have always considered it best to shut the smoke unit off when there is no fluid in it.

I think PT Barnum might have had the right answer for this.

I know that the amount of fluid used by a smoke unit depends on the smoke unit itself and on the smoke volume as selected by the controller.

 

Still, I wish there were an 'average' smoke duration time per drop of fluid so we could somewhat anticipate when smoke fluid may be needed.

 

I have seen videos that last for several minutes of a steam engine puffing along all the way, non-stop. I would be concerned about running dry if I were to run any of mine that long without a refueling along the way.

 

Anyone have an idea?

 

Alex

This may be slightly off-topic, but I found a dandy smoke fluid applicator.

 

The hobby shop I go to specializes in radio controlled cars, planes, etc. Anyway, the owner recommended a fuel syringe for adding smoke fluid and it works pretty well.

Upon shutdown, I put a few drops of smoke fluid in the those steamers I keep on the DCS ACTIVE list. I do this to assure that I do not start a future operating session with dry smoke units.

 

I run my steamers with the smoke set on MEDIUM, and if the smoke volume goes down during an operating session, I replenish the smoke fluid.

 

Commercial smoke fluids can be made to last longer by adding Mineral Oil. I dilute the commercial fluid 50% by volume with Baby Oil (AKA Mineral Oil).

 

When storing a locomotive in its original box, I stuff a piece of paper towel into the smoke stack to absorb any smoke fluid that may leak out.

Does this really work? Does it effect the quality of the smoke and smoke output? Thanks.