More Questions Regarding German Models

[peteski]

I think you can tell by the vertical smoke plume that this engine does not need to be moving very quickly in order to produce that kind of volume...

Just FYI... 

Mark in Oregon

Since smoke generators are simply small heaters (coil of a thin wire which boils the oily smoke fluid to produce "smoke"), they need a relatively high voltage to work properly (and to produce good amount  of smoke).  With a DC-powered loco, that means that the track voltage will have to be on the high side (thus making the DC model run fast).

But with any sort of command control system (like DCC), where the models speed is not directly related to the track voltage, and where the track voltage is always at its highest required level, the smoke generator can be fully smoking, even when the model is stopped. 

[MK]

Since smoke generators are simply small heaters (coil of a thin wire which boils the oily smoke fluid to produce "smoke"), they need a relatively high voltage to work properly (and to produce good amount  of smoke).

The Seuthe units that I use for my R/C tugboat starts at 6V.  I know they have (at least) 6V and 12V models.  Not that high of a voltage.  Now current is another story!  Mine draws 500 mA.

[peteski]

The Seuthe units that I use for my R/C tugboat starts at 6V.  I know they have (at least) 6V and 12V models.  Not that high of a voltage.  Now current is another story!  Mine draws 500 mA.

Yes, but the units installed in N scale DC models are usually rated for 12V (because the manufacturer does not want the smoke generator to go "poof"" permanently when some adult kid runs their models at full throttle.  A 6V unit would not last very long under 12V.    Same with DCC models - you wouldn't use a 6V unit there either.

Sure, they will produce smoke (at reduced volume) under lower voltages. And since these are simple heaters, they need lots of power (current) to heat up.  If yours needs 0.5A at 12V then it is actually a 6W heating element.  That is quite a bit of power.