Identifying LGB Smoke Unit

[viaEstrecha]

I've searched here and on the Web but still can't work out what voltage is needed by the LGB smoke unit from the 0-4-0 LGB20761.1 (the one with a basic MTS decoder from a starter set, I suspect). There is no marking on the unit and I'm aware there are several visually similar versions with different voltage ratings, but I've no idea what this particular generator needs. The online documentation I found gives no clues either. On a bench test, I got an acceptable column of smoke at 12V, and so my guess it is the 14V one. It has black and white leads. I'm converting the loco to battery and will not use the LGB decoder, but I hope to retain the smoke unit, just becuase.

Anyone have any ideas how to identify it more accurately? Plan B is simply to feed it 12V and keep my fingers crossed that it survives.

 

[Neil Robinson]

I use this note to identify the voltage by their wiring colours.
I can't remember the source, it has served me well and is posted in good faith but I take no responsibility for any errors.

LGB Smoke unit wire colours


What colour are the wires from the unit.............
Here's a table of the voltages/colours :

1. Black and white wires = 5 volts
2. Grey and black wires = 18 volts
3. Yellow and brown wires = 18 volt
4. 2 white wires = 24 volts.

 

[viaEstrecha]

I use this note to identify the voltage by their wiring colours.
I can't remember the source, it has served me well and is posted in good faith but I take no responsibility for any errors.

LGB Smoke unit wire colours


What colour are the wires from the unit.............
Here's a table of the voltages/colours :

1. Black and white wires = 5 volts
2. Grey and black wires = 18 volts
3. Yellow and brown wires = 18 volt
4. 2 white wires = 24 volts.

Brilliant, thanks, Neil. Mine are black and white so that generator would be No1 above, in which case I ought to dial it down to a 5V feed. Testing at that voltage gives a bit of a weedy stream of smoke, but at least it doesn't surprise me with a spectacular 'pop', like when I fired it up at 12V!

 

[Greg Elmassian]

In the future, the way to test is to start at low voltage and increase. Starting at a higher voltage can make it a "used to smoke" unit.

 

[dunnyrail]

Martyn, just so you are aware a smoke unit running will certainly reduce the duration of run when you convert Stainz to battery power.

 

[viaEstrecha]

Martyn, just so you are aware a smoke unit running will certainly reduce the duration of run when you convert Stainz to battery power.

Only to be used occasionally for grandchild entertainment purposes; for me, smoke normally falls under the category 'CBA'.

 

[Dan]

The LGB '5' volt unit is a 4-7 volt seuth. LGB runs 6.2 to 6.8 volts to these smoke units.