Ok

I was wondering if I want to install a smoke generator on one of my locos,should a rookie attempt it and any advice?

You might want to watch this video, if you haven't already.

Youtube video link

Alok

The 7226 is pushed in from the top - without opening the loco. Normally it doesn't take much pressure.
The wire at the bottom must show in the right direction - and with Märklin models the right direction depends on the model.
With most models it should point to the back, but with some models it should point to the correct side (just look at the contact lid inside the loco).

The 72270 is pushed in from below so you have to open the loco.
I had one 72270 I couldn't push into a BR 38. A different 72270 fitted - and the other 72270 fitted into a BR 18.4 locomotive.
May require more force than a 7226 to be pushed into place.
And not all Märklin steamers are easy to open and close again (pay attention to the cogwheel when closing a BR 38).

The biggest problem I had at the beginning: how do you get the fluid in?
M* instructions say "6 drops".

Buy a smoke generator from Seuthe, it includes a syringe to insert the fluid (and a small bottle with fluid). Instructions say "0.2 ml" and the syringe has a scale.
Otherwise you can buy either Seuthe or Märklin - they are all made by Seuthe but those from Märklin are sometimes cheaper as they come with fewer accessories.
Seuthe also makes replacement sets (smoke generator without accessories), but only few dealers have them listed.

My vote is to have the dealer do it.

I did my 55 class, and made a mess of it. The new Marklin locomotives are quite delicate, difficult to take apart, and very difficult to put together. I did some damage to the delicate lines on the top of the boiler, to say nothing of my patience. I had to take it into him in the end.

I took in my 38 class, and watched him struggle to get the top off, then put it together. I was glad it was not me doing it.

I get the analog rather than digital smoke generators. They need refilling more often but put out more, thicker smoke.

I think the Big Boy is another example where the digital smoke generators are required over the 7226 generators. I think this may be because the generators are driven via a relay off the pickup slider, rather than off a decoder function output. Because there are 2 smoke generators in the Big Boy, they will draw more current than a function output can handle, and because they are driven off the track voltage, they need to have a higher voltage specification - 7226 are (I think) 16v, and the digital ones are 20v.

Can anyone please advise the correct smoke generators for my locos:

BR 50 981 ex starter set 29640
BR 03 1022 ex starter set 29845

Both have 5mm holes in their chimneys (or is that smoke-stacks?) so my guess is 7226 (5mm) rather than 72270 (3.5mm).

As usual, the loco manuals are silent on the matter. They only state that a smoke generator can be retrofitted.

I can't find any information regarding the Br50 in the 29640 set, but I'm sure a 7226 smoke generator is the correct one.

Do you have the manual for the loco that came with the set? If so, the details should be there.

You're quite correct. Page 18 displays a 7226 being fitted into the BR50 chimney. I didn't notice that before.

Thanks,
Neil

If you are installing smoke generator item #7226 it will take you about 1 minute. Do not fill the tube over 2/3 with the smoke liquid. Go to a Marklin Dealers website (Reynauld's) and put in your locomotive product number. When it comes up it will probably tell you which smoke generator to use. Also, you can call them to ask questions. They are helpful and knowledgeable.