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. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR.
Lionel Trains|MTH Train|Lionel Train Sets| HO model Trains| G Scale|Dept 56 Below weve listed these transformers in numerical order in the Numerical Index. I am currently running about 40 bulbs, which at 0.1 A each total 4 amps! I bet they would be great for running lights and unloading the main transformer. Early issues used a Bakelite case while later releases had a case made out of plastic. Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. The polarities can be reversed to change the direction of the train. 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. The transition section (#12040) allows you to connect conventional O Gauge track to FasTrack. To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. The modern equivalent is the Lionel CW-80, but frankly I like the old ones better. Which Lionel transformer do I need? you ask? As your layout grows beyond the basic oval of track that comes with most starter sets, a good power distribution network is essential to getting consistent performance from your train all the way around. I know this has nothing to do with Mike's original problem but is more of a reflection on Trainman's reply. 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. As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. The typ miniature incandecents we use average about 100 ma of current each. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. And again regardless of scale or manufacturer, switch machines of these two types will have similar needs and performance. Transformers are designed to fail if a short in the secondary or control side occurs. Lionel Trains|MTH Train|Lionel Train Sets| HO model Trains| G Scale|Dept 56 Smaller feeder wires are used to bridge the small gap from the bus to the track. Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers' Henry V. I am a person with a very active inner child. Some of the variables are obvious, others not so much. One rail is positive, the other negative. I have a basement that offers an 18" concrete ledge that goes around theentire perimeter of the house that lends itself perfectly to a neat layout. With multiple switches, lights, power supplies and more all concentrated in a small space, color coding and neatness pay off. In some cases. 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. Both are lighted. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). However, if you begin adding more than 1 or 2 cars, be sure to get some extra track, or your longer train will be chasing its tail very quickly. Today Lionel includes the same basic track oval in all starter sets8 36-inch diameter curve sections, 3 10 straight track sections, and 1 10 straight terminal section, which create this layout: Until recently, to add to this layout, you would need to buy separate straight, curved, and other track sections and wing it in creating a larger setup. 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. Serious or fatal injuries may result. I have purchased diodes to put into the older transformers to see if this resolves the issue with newer tenders. These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. I got a lot of lightweight transformers that came with starter sets over the years. Right now I am running 8 motors on one KW [the new one I found] and got the old one for reserve. 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 know my train club had an issue with conventional locomotives not running properly on a layout with DCS and TMCC and apparently solved it by replacing a Lionel transformer with an MRC transformer that puts out a pure sine wave. Not unlike the relationship between the locomotive engineer and the fireman. Used 1033's for sidings and the switching yard its self. Daniel Defense firearms, parts and accessories, http://www.modeltrainforum.com/showthread.php?t=9670, http://www.modeltrainforum.com/album.php?u=2334, 14X16 Switching style [url]http://www.modeltrainforum.com/showthread.php?t=8241, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkMHvbckuBLo3pJN1FGE1Gg. The greatest transformer Lionel made in the postwar era was the 270 watt Lionel ZW.
Transformer Size Calculator - Electram Another classic is the Automatic Gateman. 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. Checklist Transformer Size Calculator When sizing a transformer, you need to know the kilovolt-amps (KVA) that your machine requires. This comes primarily from the locomotive(s) but also from lights and other accessories. Lionel 1033 Transformer Renovation Part I Peter Fenzel 306 subscribers Subscribe 11K views 3 years ago Lionel 1033 Transformer gets cleaned up, a new power cord, a new whistle rectifier. Mike to the forum. 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 Here are a couple examples: As you can see, with a bit of experimentation and imagination, numerous different track layouts can be created. 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. And of course, Lionel also makes lots of figures to populate your town. Just like with your track bus and feeders, running an accessory bus of slightly heavier wire to connect to each light or accessory with a smaller feeder is a good plan.
Antique Train Sets - FAQs for Lionel Collectors Club of America "What size wire should I use?" 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.
7 Best Transformer For Model Railway - LEDS.CC Just not quite as much. Needless to say the "Spring into Spring" train show very nearly became unsprung! Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. Obviously, for a lot of people, the $700 Lionel ZW-L transformer is overkill. 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. Wire gauges are coded by their size. I've read that it is good practice to add feeders every 10 sections of track or sothat seems like a lot but I suppose that beats having "dead" spots in the track. In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. 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. Ive talked more about the KW here. Big Ed Railroad Tycoon What about removing flanges from diesel wheels? If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! And that means theyre affordable. Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. Lionel and other train manufacturers have worked hard to make adding to a set easy, affordable, and fun. Many manufacturers assemble cases with special screws to prevent access to the inside and accidental shock. Use this index to see additional details about the individual transformers issued by Lionel during the post-war period.
Lionel Vintage Model Railroad & Train Transformers - eBay Used a 1033 for accessories and lights. Digital command control systems (DCC) uses digital information to control the electrical power to the train. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. Thus an appliance with a 15-ampere plug (the usual kind with parallel blades) must draw no more than 12 amperes. Like tankist stated.It's only running multiple engines that I run into issues. Past,presentand future. The next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains.
How do you choose the right power supply for your model trains? I'll take this information and run with it to help get me started. If you were to get a ZW 275 you need external short protection. The motor takes electricity through a small wire attached to a metal wheel that rests on the middle rail underneath. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. 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. 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. 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.
American Flyer Trains Basic Operating Information 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. 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. HO gauge is very popular because of its size. That it not to say that there are not engineering formulae to calculate the current draw and thus the wattage, but far and away the easiest method is to measure it. 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. You should always, always test your transformer for safetybefore you set it up, andunplug it when youre not using it. [:)].
What lionel transformer do i need - Go Quick Qna If you fried a wire going to the track it may not be a transformer problem. Click here to learn about the Unlimited Membership. I recently read an article/product review in the OGR magazine for the new Lioneltransformerand wassurprisedto learn that not all voltage outputwave-formsare created equal (pure sine wave versus some type of clipped sine wave). A large number of the Lionel Collectors Club UK use this set up to good effect. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. This is a old school approach for sizing cables & transformers or appliances in the electrical trade, & has never let us down. Although all Lionel cars operate on O Gauge track, the bodies of the cars are made in two slightly different sizes. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a . Lionel CW80's can be found for around $50 at Greenberg and other train shows. 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)! The whistle requires more power than the outfits that don't have it.
How to Properly Size a Transformer | Behler-Young Some DCC systems also recommend solid wire for certain applications.
How Many Lights Can I Connect To My Transformer? - LightUp The first Lionel electric trains were powered by wet-cell batteries, which were, of course, dangerous. --I need a station for the train to stop at.
I cant see you needing more than a capacity of 5 amps. For more realistic operation, you need some kind of speed control (throttle) between the 10340 Automatic Reversing Unit and your transformer. Number 26 to 20 wire (depending on the length of your bus) will be sufficient for most applications. Ran 6 motors [MPC's]. If you have the proper wire size and a properly-sized circuit breaker, you should not have any problems using the old transformer. I'm not sure I completely understand your question. 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.". Lionel Model Railroad and Train Transformers Lionel Model Railroad and Train Transformers Best Selling Lionel 1908080 O Gauge CW80 Transformers - Black (4) $147.85 New $110.00 Used Lionel Legacy Powermaster Lnl637146 (13) $134.99 New $90.00 Used Lionel 634120 TMCC Direct Lock-On Transformer - Silver (21) $58.99 New $49.99 Used Why Sign In?
Lionel Trains: Value, History and What Collectors Should Know 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. They give a great deal of power in a single handled transformer, and if you run trains along with another person, it can be more convenient for you to both have a smaller transformer than for two people to huddle around a larger KW or ZW transformer and share its handles. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. 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). These transformers are much cheaper than they were even just a few years ago, but that just makes them a bigger bargain today. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? You could have a poor connection that caused the wire to heat up. It was one of Lionel's more venerable postwar products, lasting on the market for 18 years from 1948 to 1966. I have one R transformer from which I run everything - but only 1 train at a time and a few accessories for a layout in a space about 24 by 10 ft. Wow.thanks for all the advice so far, guys!! 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. 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. 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. The article you suggest would be a daunting task, as you'd have to gather virtually every known locomotive and transformer! Price Received. Are you looking for a product or serviceif so, then read this BEFORE you post! editors report that most of the wiring issues they address involve basic principles of electricity - the stuff that Ben Franklin played with when he flew his kite. But were talking the trains that are in the absolute best condition and might not have ever run on the track. The chances are that little power supply isn't going to keep the train running over a full mile, however. Over the years I have collected boxed (mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. As the motor takes in more electricity, the arm turns faster and faster. 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. 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. Besides the train and track, accessories provide a lot of fun and animation to any setup. The multi-conductor wire is also available. For a 300W set up this will cost you about 100. The transformer included with your starter set should be adequate to handle a modest expansion of your train set discussed above. You can also minimize voltage drop at the rail joints by soldering the rails together.
6 Best Transformer For Ho Trains - LEDS.CC In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. :-). The same is true for other electronic projects around your layout and inside buildings, train cars, and even locomotives. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. This drawing illustrates all of the key functionality of a Lionel KW transformer. 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. Price Received. As the kit grows and you start putting in turnouts (or the point switching systems) to move your train from one track to another track, you will not only need more than 1 transformer, you will.
Transformer for Lionel that works in AUSTRALIA With the ever-increasing amount of small electronics in today's sophisticated models, this protection is more important than ever. 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.
Lionel 1033 Transformer Renovation Part I - YouTube This is where the Lionel transformer comparisons should begin. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. These bus wires are often more important than the size of the power supply itself in getting good results. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. These small power supplies are designed to supply a few amps of power. If you found this post informative or helpful, please share it! It is not uncommon to see 50-year-old transformers still going strong on a model railroad. Our community is FREE to join. This wire is very fine and can be found in many color combinations. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Thanks! And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. I have a basement that offers an 18" concrete ledge that goes around the entire perimeter of the house that lends itself perfectly to a neat layout.
Which Lionel transformer do I need? - The Silicon Underground Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, WELCOME TO THE FORUM Mike!! If youre buying a transformer, youll be able to easily find one that a professional refurbished and upgraded with the links I provide below. Lionel Rolling Stock Identification Guide. Its a good transformer. Well Mike what I am about to suggest may be a little pricy or at least it was for me but I have managed to buy a new Lionel ZW. Understanding Electrical Supplies and Controls.
PDF Lionel CW-80 Transformer Owner's Manual - thomconte.com 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. Its a bargain at that price. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. 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. These sets use a remote control which talks directly to a receiver in the locomotive. 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. 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. Sell Your Trains Using a Live Auction House. Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. 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. 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.