what size lionel transformer do i need

In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. This wire is very fine and can be found in many color combinations. If you want to connect ten landscape lights to a magnetic transformer, and the lights use 30 watts each, you would need a 375 watt transformer. While better starter sets usually include a more robust transformer, as a general rule the power pack supplied with your starter set is just thata start. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. What type is your old transformer? http://www.lccuk.org.uk/lccuk Regards Nick Save Reply Quote N Nick12DMC Registered If you found this post informative or helpful, please share it! UpBright 18V AC/DC Adapter Compatible with Lionel O Gauge Fastrack 10" Remote Control Terminal Straight LionChief System Track 6-1923100 HKYF45-180230T-US DC18V 2300mA 18VDC Power Supply Cord Charger. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. Both are lighted. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. Here are some simple definitions for these electrical terms: Most power supplies will be labeled as to the scales they are meant to handle. Wow.thanks for all the advice so far, guys!! Classic Toy Trains magazine offers information about toy trains operating and collecting, toy train product news and reviews, toy train layout tips, toy train layout designs and track plans, and more. You should take care, however, to replace worn cords and wires. Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. You should always, always test your transformer for safetybefore you set it up, andunplug it when youre not using it. Lionel Postwar 1033 Transformer Watch on The chances are that little power supply isn't going to keep the train running over a full mile, however. If you have a starter set and have had thoughts like this, youre not alone. Tech Support for the OGR Forum (NOT FOR TRAINS), PRR fellas!lets build an S2!! I recently acquired a beautiful Lionel NH Alco 420. The polarities can be reversed to change the direction of the train. For instance, a 100 kilovolt-ampere transformer with 8.32 kilovolts (or less) on the high side has a typical value of 2.6% impedance. The transition section (#12040) allows you to connect conventional O Gauge track to FasTrack. It is much easier to be ready ahead of time then to have to do some changes afterwards. However, there are times when the solid wire has advantages, particularly when soldering in small locations. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. The other type of cars are the Scale cars, which are exact or near-exact replicas of actual freight cars. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! To determine the required transformer VA, multiply the secondary voltage by the required amperes: For example, VA=Volts x Amperes or 28V x 1.2 amperes = 33.6 VA. To determine the maximum transformer current, divide the transformer VA by transformer secondary voltage. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). Been there, done that. Price Received. On a large loop of track you will need to have multiple drops, hook-ups, to the transformer because if you only have one hook up the train will get slower the father away it gets from the transformer. Join Today! Lionel, LLC continued to manufacture and market trains and accessories in O scale under the Lionel brand and S gauge under the American Flyer brand. Like all electronic products, you want to make sure your power supplies are rated by the appropriate body for your country (UL for example). Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. Model train power falls into one of three categories. While those locomotives and their sound systems are designed to operate using conventional transformers like your ZW, digital controllers are needed to activate additional features like special sound effects and coupler activation. This is why my wife loves me so. The transformer included with your starter set should be adequate to handle a modest expansion of your train set discussed above. The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. Not wanting to give up, I experimented with an 80 watt modern Lionel transformer and got great results. IF the Engineer is the guy that drives the locomotive then theTechnician must be the fireman is this correct? Of course, the answer to that question depends on many things. Hello, I'm new to this site, and completely new to toy trains also - so please pardon my ignorance! Digital command control systems (DCC) uses digital information to control the electrical power to the train. The good news is, Lionel made a lot of good transformers over the years. is always one of the first questions asked when someone starts to build a model railroad. And of course, Lionel also makes lots of figures to populate your town. For most layouts, and most scales, Number14 stranded wire will work best for your bus. It is also a good idea to run your accessories off of a separate power supply and wire grid from the trains themselves. Transformer capacity is rated in KVA (kilo-volt-amperes). Outdoor railroads are, of course, an exception! (Use buss/feeder lines to distribute power.) This is where the Lionel transformer comparisons should begin. Note that when working with specific products, manufacturers will often recommend a wire size and type. 24v, 120v, 208v, 240v, 480v, and 600v). (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. Dang, this math makes my head hurt. If you fried a wire going to the track it may not be a transformer problem. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. As the motor takes in more electricity, the arm turns faster and faster. The Lionel ZW is Lionel's most iconic transformer of the 1950s and 1960s, and perhaps one of its most iconic products, period. Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. I bet they would be great for running lights and unloading the main transformer. If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. There was a video by Mike Reagan from Lionel about better smoke output from a chopped wave transformer, but the pure sine wave didn't cause any operational issues. 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. Also, you wont be able to take advantage of independent control of multiple engines on the same track without a digital controller. And both of them give more wattage per handle than a KW or ZW. But a 12-gauge solid wire is one strand, while a 12-gauge stranded wire may be made up of more than a dozen much smaller individual strands spun together. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. Transformer sizing for new systems Likewise, if you only want to run one train at a time, you can keep other trains on the track by wiring with blocks, and turning off trains that are not in use. Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. Connecticut Valley Railroad -- A Branch of the New York, New Haven, And Hartford. Controlled Magnetics has the manufacturing experience, knowledge, and facilities to repair a wide variety of electrical power transformers. A Passenger consist can easily use more power than the engine. 10 Easy Ways to Improve a Christmas Train Display, Compatibility of Different Model Train Brands, How to Build and Wire Reverse Loops for Model Trains, Wiring a Model Railroad for Block Operation, Wire Gauge Standards for Model Train Layouts, Model Train Track Grades and Maximum Grade Issues. The Atlas and Bachmann 80 watt transformers, they are one and the same, can be had for around $75.00. In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. It is not uncommon to see 50-year-old transformers still going strong on a model railroad. Scale cars almost always have the number 7 as the second digit in their number [17623, 27241, etc]. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. Kind Regards Steve, QUOTE: by Dave Has anyone here ever blown a transformer from hauling a double-headed Allegheny coal drag up a 2 percent grade?. 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. The article you suggest would be a daunting task, as you'd have to gather virtually every known locomotive and transformer! As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. Like tankist stated.It's only running multiple engines that I run into issues. Lionel 1033 90 watt Transformer Postwar from 1950s-60s Whistle, Direction. Then the K's will do siding and switching yard duty. 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). Just get a Lionel #12053 Accessory wire set and enough extra wire to connect from the wire set back to your transformer [speaker wire works well]. I can remember a time when a Lionel ZW would set you back $275. A: According to Lionel's head of customer service, on the underside of their CW80 transformers, starting in late 2009, the vendor applied a sticker that states "QC50" on it. Early issues used a Bakelite case while later releases had a case made out of plastic. That's about enough to run a single locomotive and perhaps power a few lighted accessories or passenger cars. My layout I am building is 5 sheets of 4x8 plywood and it will probaly take me 100 years to build it (I hope I have that much time left). Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. Ok our layout is 10 x 20 = 200 sq ft x 2 = 400 watts. By creating alternate routes, more complex loops, and storage tracks, your trains will suddenly be even more interesting to watch and they will begin providing you the feeling that they are going somewhere and that you are running a small railroad. The Lionel Track & Power catalog is BACK with the latest information for more ways to make your layout even bigger, better and more powerful! Do not use this device if water is present. This tool will allow you calculate the KVA that you need. Part of the Lionel line since the 1930s, the gateman today is offered not only with a regular railroad-type figure, but also in versions with Santa Claus and a nutcracker figure for the Christmas season. Lionel made these for years and kept them in production under a different model number well into the 1970s because it was a reliable, dependable design and had enough power for a typical starter set while leaving some room to grow. My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? The wire can also be purchased as solid or stranded. I've got around 320 ft of track between all of the mainline, sidings, etc and I don't have any problems running my engines anywhere on the layout. Lots of good tips for building a layout from two of the most experienced people in the hobby. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. The two types of cars will connect together just fine, but when side-by-side in a train, they may look a bit odd. Safety first. Some people even find it fun. What about removing flanges from diesel wheels? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. As your layout grows so, too, will its power demand. I run an MTH 4-6-2 PS-1 pulling five Madisons on about fifty feet of track and the transformer I am using (Z-4000) has a digital amp readout. In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". The 190-wattLionel KWwas the second biggest and second best transformer of the postwar era. 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 One rail is positive, the other negative. If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! While it is tempting to go with the biggest wire possible to guarantee excess capacity, there are drawbacks to putting in more than you need. It does run on conventional power but not great and no whistle or bell. If you want a spur track to store an extra car or two, Lionel makes another expansion set [#12044] that does just that: Note that this set includes one switch which is the track section that makes the track diverge onto two separate routes. There is no reason why your Lionel ZWs and Flyer big ones cant be used to run AC-powered trains of any vintage new or old. Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership. The CW-80 Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. If they do, follow their recommendations. Trainz carries a variety of books that build upon the information listed above. With two switches, you can create an alternative route for your trains. They do not include a track or power supply, so you will need to buy both separately. If youre comfortable doing some work yourself, you can buy a fixer-upper, and my informational links will tell you more about fixing one yourself. Any of the below transformers from M.T.H. (using 4 of the 180 watt Lionel bricks) That's 10 amps per channel on all 4 channels. If you need a device that converts from different voltages so it can power another device, then a transformer will fulfill that role perfectly. Of course, if you happen to have enough Number12 wire left over from a home renovation project to install all the buses on your small layout, it won't do any harm. Understanding Electrical Supplies and Controls. If you like, tell us more about yourself. I have a post war ZW and a KW and a Z, all three are good transformers, just meant for differant needs. Effort. Transformers are sized by determining the total load required (in amps). While most of the American Flyer products are re-issues using old Gilbert tooling from the 1950s, the O scale equipment is a combination of new designs and reissues. Past,presentand future. no it isn't. Theres nothing inherently wrong with them, though I would shy away from the smaller transformers that are less than 75 watts, including the modern CW-40. If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. I thought an ENGINEER was the guy driving the train? Most recommend the TPCs over the powermasters The CW 80 will work to begin with. A. Just not quite as much. Because the runs are short and power demands so low, this fine wire poses no safety threat. My question is.how big of a transformer will I need to power this thing? Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. Sell Your Trains Yourself At Train Shows. 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. 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)! There is the 12030 Figure-8 set, which along with the track included in your set makes your layout into this: Figure-8s are great because they create a crossing, giving the appearance of a railroad junction, they break up the oval, and the parts to create them are relatively cheap. That might work, but it's probably borderline, especially if you are using something like a 1033 transformer that tops out at 16 volts. In the middle range, Lionel made a lot of other transformers. Ive talked more about the Lionel RW and the LW as well. Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. All Lionel transformer comparisons should include the common 1033, RW, LW, KW and ZW transformers. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. This will spread the load of your lighted passenger consist across the two transformers. The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. electronically controlled outputs. Doug, there's definitely room for the liberal arts approach to the hobby--I have a journalism degree; how I became a computer technician was pretty much an accident. The smallest wire you can work with will be more than sufficient. It can be a great secondary power supply for lighted buildings, signals, and other accessories. Lest I offend, in another plane of existence I was an electronics tech. Ive talked about why here. To build on the point you are running MTH trains and therefore will probably go DCS eventually: I would break the track into blocks of about 5 feet in length. 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. 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. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. Not unlike the relationship between the locomotive engineer and the fireman. Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; A Veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life.". It can run four tracks at one time, so you layout can grow. This is because the demands for power are becoming more than your transformer can handle. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. You don't want to try to solder even Number 16 gauge wire right to your rails, however. The thing that eats current is a lot of light bulbs on the layout.

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