These are all good, dependable transformers from the postwar era that are easy to find today, have adequate wattages ranging from 90-270 watts, have a circuit breaker for safety and have a whistle controller. We're sorry. If you fried a wire going to the track it may not be a transformer problem. It is important to remember that the real test of the power supply is the load you'll place on it. Dave, you're so eloquent and inspiring - my undergraduate degree was in American Studies, now I'm in charge of among other things all our college's technology - also self-taught.. Hello All: Re: Dave Farquhar, Dave you left out sense of humor Regards Steve. If you plan to just run MTH go with their DCS system if you plan to have a number of different engines or the MTH DCS Remote Commander which is limited to running only one engine at a time. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. It has FasTrack connectors on one end and O Gauge track pins on the other. Will get a Z4000 one day [this summer probably, unless I find a good deal on an older ZW] just to say I have one. An Essential Guide for Toy Train Enthusiasts! Many will still run on the track in your starter set, but because they are scale sized, the bodies of these cars may be slightly wider and longer than those in your set. Starter set locomotives can pull up to 12 cars easily, and most can handle up to 20, so building a longer train will not harm your engine. --The O Gauge Railroading Primer, by Christopher Ritchie. If you need a device that converts from different voltages so it can power another device, then a transformer will fulfill that role perfectly. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. The larger wire is usually more expensive and more challenging to work with. Our transformer sizing calculator allows you to obtain the minimum single or three-phase transformer size required based on the load you need to power. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. It can be a great secondary power supply for lighted buildings, signals, and other accessories. Actually it was a train show with varied trains of all different eras being run I have mostly MTH trains though and they wouldn't run because the transformer that was running wasn't powerful enough to cycle through my MTH trainsounds. Ok our layout is 10 x 20 = 200 sq ft x 2 = 400 watts. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. The least expensive power supply you should consider is the Lionel CW80 Transformer; you can buy a new one for about $150 or a used on one eBay for about $60. At auction, Lionel train sets, pieces, and accessories can sell for a few hundred dollars or for a few thousand dollars, depending on the rarity and condition of the piece. These bus wires are often more important than the size of the power supply itself in getting good results. 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (15) Ages: 14 years and up. Lionel 1033 90 Watt Multi-control Transformer (102) $9.99 1 bid $16.00 shipping 2d 9h Lionel Type Z 250 Watt Transformer & One 167 Whistle Controllers. If you're looking to only have one loop with multiple sidings then you'll only need 1 source of power for the whole layout. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. This thing has more power then I will ever need. The accessory activation track (#12029) is used to activate Lionel trackside accessories. Dang, this math makes my head hurt. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. This diagram shows all of the controls and the pinout for the Lionel RW transformer. Number 24 to Number20 wire will all work with most layouts. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. Check out my O scale layout progress at MTF, does track consume power? If you add a lot of track and find that your train slows down as it gets farther from your transformer, you will need to run jumper wires to the opposite side of your track layout. Whatever colors and pattern you choose, just make sure to keep a good notebook handy to reference later. You don't really need a diagram -- you want to pick your interval (some would recommend as often as 3'), drill a hole down through your base, and connect a wire to a bus which runs beneath the layout and connects to your transformer (obviously, you need two wires, one for each powered rail). One rail is positive, the other negative. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. This set also includes an uncoupling track section, which will disconnect cars from one another at the touch of a button, and a bumper, which keeps cars from rolling off the end of the track. In either case, however, voltage and amperage draw is low and peak for only brief periods. Actually the choice of transformer is secondary to the choice of control systems since you can operate O gauge trains with most any good modern transformer. Effort. Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. Some people even find it fun. Ran 6 motors [MPC's]. Ive talked more about the KW here. The 1033 is not the same as the 1044. Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your. If you are wiring with a common rail for your blocks, then keeping the common rail the same color all the time while changing the color for the other rail in each block is also an option. Smaller layouts (a typical 4 foot by 8 foot being a good example) can usually get by with Number16 since the length of the run from the power supply to the track is never more than a few feet. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. Lionel Trains|MTH Train|Lionel Train Sets| HO model Trains| G Scale|Dept 56 A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! We feature Lionel, American Flyer, MTH, Atlas O, Williams Trains, K-Line, Weaver Models, and more. Price Received. However, if you begin to add lighted cars, or more than a couple accessories, you may find that your train will not run as fast, or that it will shut off entirely. I suggest that you proactively lay an 10-2 AWG NM cable (or at least 12-2) along the track and tap into it as needed to keep the voltage up. 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! A while back, approximately 2 weeks ago while running two very lengthy loops of fast track an old transformer nearly fried (50 years old) one of my wires that I was running to my Fastrac. (8 lights X 20 watts = 160 watts). Service/Tested $55.00 1 bid $14.06 shipping 1d 6h LIONEL TYPE (KW) TRAINMASTER TRANSFORMER FOR PARTS OR RESTORATION $17.05 4 bids $19.95 shipping 9h 23m The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. The other type of cars are the Scale cars, which are exact or near-exact replicas of actual freight cars. (NEW/LIKE NEW), running TMCC And DCS engines with DCS handheld, terrible crash in Greece, multiple fatalities, Its.Public Delivery Track ..NEWSpecial run corner, Improving Appearance of 0-gauge Tubular Track. The CW-80 is a nice little transformer, has accessory output as well,but as you have stated you will outgrow the CW-80 pretty quick. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. Extending the Reach of Your Power The next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains. Amperes = VA/Secondary Volts or 40VA/28V = 1.43 amperes. The Lionel Track & Power catalog is BACK with the latest information for more ways to make your layout even bigger, better and more powerful! CW80 Transformer. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. In most cases, because we are dealing with relatively low voltage and amperage and in a normally stable temperature and humidity climates, our wiring does not require any extra insulation. DCC decoders are one good example where the wire colors are critical. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, so you'll need to consider what you want to do and measure your options accordingly. Alternating current (AC) is the preferred power for most O Gauge three-rail trains as well as some two-rail systems in smaller scales. If you add feeders to the track at the farthest point (remember to get the same wire to the same rails) you will not slow down at the farthest point. Outdoor railroads are, of course, an exception! Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. This comes primarily from the locomotive(s) but also from lights and other accessories. Lionel uses red and black (red always for the center rail, black for the two outer rails) as a standard in its instructions and most 3-Rail O Gauge layouts are probably wired this way. The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. Used a 1033 for accessories and lights. If mixing both non-command as well as command engines, both by the way will run without any thing other than the appropriate transformer, it really depends on the budget. Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. If you're experiencing problems with your wiring due to humidity, for example, you are going to face even greater issues with the trains and tracks themselves. $7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. You can also run Lionel TMCC/Legacy Command Engines using the MTH DCS system with the addition of a Lionel command base and an additional cable. What does a Lionel transformer do? For a transformer less or equal to 500 kilovolt-amperes, a typical %Z impedance may vary between 2.3% and 5.2% based on the voltage level. I'll take this information and run with it to help get me started. Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Serious or fatal injuries may result. Thus an appliance with a 15-ampere plug (the usual kind with parallel blades) must draw no more than 12 amperes. The KW used to be really expensive, but since Lionel started making big transformers again, you can get a KW for what a 1033 used to cost, which makes it a very nice bargain today on a rugged and powerful transformer with an impressive presence. You could have a poor connection that caused the wire to heat up. The only time you might not get your full moneys worth is during operation of locomotives equipped with Lionels TMCC or MTHs DCS command-control systems. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. "What size wire should I use?" For a classic setup of a single freight train running on a 48 sheet of plywood, a 90 watt Lionel 1033 or 1042 is an excellent choice. If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. I have had the same problem. American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. And if the power supply does fail, it is best not to repair it on your own. For a classic setup of a single freight train running on a 48 (or smaller) sheet of plywood, a 90-watt Lionel 1033 or 1044 is an excellent choice. What size Lionel transformer do I need? Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. It is also a good idea to run your accessories off of a separate power supply and wire grid from the trains themselves. The customer will still need a step down transformer to get the 220V to 110V. A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. Multi-conductor wires with many strands of finer wire are more common for telecommunications and electronics. http://www.lccuk.org.uk/lccuk Regards Nick Save Reply Quote N Nick12DMC Registered The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. And of course, Lionel also makes lots of figures to populate your town. The transformer, when operated at the lower frequency, may . In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. The same is true for other electronic projects around your layout and inside buildings, train cars, and even locomotives. Wire gauges are coded by their size. Turn on the throttle, then short the A and U posts (in the case of Lionel) or variable and base posts (in the case of Flyer) with a screwdriver or a piece of wire for a maximum of five seconds. As cheap as the 1033 is, if youre going to buy a transformer, you might as well pay a few dollars more to get a 1033. If your track joints aren't near perfect or if you should want to split that loop into two blocks, you'll double the voltage drop. Price Received. Just not quite as much. TRANSFORMERS ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. They run on three rail track. Because of this, like with lighting and accessories, your power supply and wiring for switch machines do not need to be as robust. Anyway if it takes me 100 years to finish this thing one thing is for sure I will not have to worry about powering anything and everything. God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of theNRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified. Reverse the above if planning to run mostly Lionel and go with the Lionel command system, either the full Legacy system or the upcoming CAB-1L and just add a Track Power Controller and a cable to run most MTH engines in conventional with the Lionel systems. I really doubt you will need more than that. Hello All: Another simple way of doing it, Only load the transformer to 75% of it's capacity, or take your total load & multiply by 125% for proper transformer sizing. Thanks in advance for any information, Mike. You have pretty much pointed up the major problem, everything is different. Lots of good tips for building a layout from two of the most experienced people in the hobby. Also, you wont be able to take advantage of independent control of multiple engines on the same track without a digital controller. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. Classic Toy Trains 5-Year Collection 2015-2019 DVD-ROM. However, in the future if you continue in the hobby and your roster expands you may acquire motive power which requires larger curves than what came with your set. Faq No: 1029 Lionel made a lot of other transformers over the years. If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! Does Lionel still make standard gauge trains? When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. I'm not sure I completely understand your question. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, WELCOME TO THE FORUM Mike!! The Best Technical and Innovative Podcasts you should Listen, Essay Writing Service: The Best Solution for Busy Students, 6 The Best Alternatives for WhatsApp for Android, The Best Solar Street Light Manufacturers Across the World, Ultimate packing list while travelling with your dog. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). And that means theyre affordable. Most command systems use a constant AC power supply, and trains are controlled by impulses sent through the rails. And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. In some cases. The 190-wattLionel KWwas the second biggest and second best transformer of the postwar era. In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Dave, the nice thing about Lionel transformers is you can run them until the bimetallic breaker pops and then you let it cool and you are back in action (after shutting a few things down)! If youre going to run more than one train, you can pair up two smaller transformers, or you can look at the two-handled transformers. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. I've had light 'arguments' with fellow hobbyists claiming most of their fellows are predominantly technically - oriented vs. what I would consider is a more liberal artsy approach - any way it's a great balance. The greatest transformer Lionel made in the postwar era was the 270 watt Lionel ZW. Price Received. They are fun to have. The Lionel ZW is Lionel's most iconic transformer of the 1950s and 1960s, and perhaps one of its most iconic products, period. For many first-time train buyers, once the initial excitement of setting up the train and watching it run has passed, the desire to make it do more usually begins. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. This is because the demands for power are becoming more than your transformer can handle. Here are a few: --The Lionel Fastrack Book, by Robert Schleicher. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. As an example, look at these two cars closely: While both are gondola cars and run on O Gauge track, note how the car on the left is much longer than the one on the right. So far, I haven't seen any way to do this except to take amp measurements or just wing it and see how hot your transformer gets. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. The smaller of the two is #12028, which turns your oval into this: There is also the larger 12031 plan, which has a couple extra straight track pieces included, creating this: Even better, one or more of the expansion sets can be combined to create even more interesting track layouts. This will solve the slowdown problem. You should always, always test your transformer for safetybefore you set it up, andunplug it when youre not using it. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Three conductor wire is common for household use. Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! I had 3 lionel cw80's and two quit working. Although not necessarily a mandated standard, white, black and or red are used for track power on most layouts - if for no other reason than these colors are easiest to find. I am currently running about 40 bulbs, which at 0.1 A each total 4 amps! This is a old school approach for sizing cables & transformers or appliances in the electrical trade, & has never let us down. Use this index to see additional details about the individual transformers issued by Lionel during the post-war period. As far as new transformers go, someone else may be able to help more than I can. Most feeders will be only a few inches long so the smaller diameter wire will not be a problem. Transformer sizing for new systems Classification/marker lights on the PRR steam engine, For Sale: Lionel 6-11127 Legacy Southern Pacific GS-4 Daylight, Lionel Bethlehem Steel slag car and ATLAS NYC Baggage car, Lionel O 2333790 TrainWorld & RBP Trains Chris Raines -Exclusive - Katy LEGACY ES44AC #2021, Converting MTH Rail king GS-4 PROTO 2 to ERR Cruise Commander, The Harpers Ferry Layout II - Backdrop panels completed. properly wired transformer can handle any amount of track. The typ miniature incandecents we use average about 100 ma of current each. --Toy Train Collecting and Operating, by John Grams. If you have to ask,your needs are a lot more modest than that. Get 20 articles about compact layouts and how to build them. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. It does not work with O27. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. That said, if youre uncomfortable fixing a transformer, I wont look down on you for buying one someone else fixed up. "O" Gauge is what Lionel is today, along with "O27". Just not quite as much. As time goes on you can add higher wattage bricks one by one. Don't just discard your starter set pack, though. This tool will allow you calculate the KVA that you need. There have been issues with chopped waveform transformers, i.e. The fraction of your transformer's power lost in the track will therefore be well under 10 percent, since it is proportional to the voltage drop. Atlas and Bachmann have the same transformers with 80 watt outputs as well that get good reviews and would be appropriate for a smaller layout. converting a 2-rail freight car to 2-rail with Atlas trucks, My Triple Level Layout -FREEBIE UPDATE- 3/2/23, Successful Open House Upstate (NY) Model Railroaders, FS: Lionel MPC and modern traditional size rolling stock. For a classic setup of a single freight train running on a 48 (or smaller) sheet of plywood, a 90-wattLionel 1033 or 1044 is an excellent choice. Atlas and Bachmann have the same transformers with 80 watt outputs as well that get good reviews and would be appropriate for a smaller layout. It would be advantageous if OGR magazine would put an article together comparing the major manufacturers transformers output waveform compatibility/ incompatibilitywith the various manufacturer's locomotives - Atlas O, Weaver, 3rd Rail, MTH , Lionel etc and conventional , DCS , TMCC, Legacy command control.
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