what size lionel transformer do i need

The house's current is reduced to the required low voltage by Trainmaster Transformers. Amazon.com: Lionel Transformer Please see our article on Fastrack here for more information. Effort. They are reasonably durable and were popular in their day, which means there are still a lot of them floating around so they tend to be inexpensive. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. 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. DCC decoders are one good example where the wire colors are critical. For more realistic operation, you need some kind of speed control (throttle) between the 10340 Automatic Reversing Unit and your transformer. Lionel made a lot of other transformers over the years. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. 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. The transformer, when operated at the lower frequency, may . I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. The old transformer is not really the problem, the problem is the supply wire, particularly under heavyload (or derailment without the benefit of a quicker breaker). 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.". All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. Many load and unload freight from specially designed cars as well. Why Sign In? Outdoor railroads are, of course, an exception! Apparently there is a difference between old conventional and new conventional power. Obviously, for a lot of people, the $700 Lionel ZW-L transformer is overkill. 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. 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. Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. The Lionel Track & Power catalog is BACK with the latest information for more ways to make your layout even bigger, better and more powerful! For a 300W set up this will cost you about 100. Do not operate the CW-80 Transformer with a damaged cord, plug, or case. The transition section (#12040) allows you to connect conventional O Gauge track to FasTrack. However, there are times when the solid wire has advantages, particularly when soldering in small locations. Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. It is also a good idea to run your accessories off of a separate power supply and wire grid from the trains themselves. With the ever-increasing amount of small electronics in today's sophisticated models, this protection is more important than ever. As your layout grows so, too, will its power demand. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Great for learning all you will ever want to know about Lionels track system. The next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains. Three conductor wire is common for household use. 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. Unless I'm all wet it sounded like there are somecompatibilityissues with certain locomotives versus manufacturer's transformer output wave forms. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. The backside of a control panel can turn into a "rat's nest" of wiring very quickly. 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. It is important to remember that the real test of the power supply is the load you'll place on it. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. Should it be a Lionel or should it be an MTH with command control? These bus wires are often more important than the size of the power supply itself in getting good results. If you have a starter set and have had thoughts like this, youre not alone. The best of the best Lionel trains are very valuable. $2799. To participate you must either login or register for an account. The polarities can be reversed to change the direction of the train. Transformer Calculator KVA Calculator Full Load Amps Calculator VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? Lionel and other train manufacturers have worked hard to make adding to a set easy, affordable, and fun. The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. Take the hint. no it isn't. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. Amazon.com: Lionel O Gauge Transformer 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. 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. Number 24 to Number20 wire will all work with most layouts. What about removing flanges from diesel wheels? In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. 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. We're sorry. To participate you must either login or register for an account. For most layouts, and most scales, Number14 stranded wire will work best for your bus. 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. I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. At fifteen volts which is about as much as I can put to it without jumping the track, it pulls an average of 2.5 amps, or 37.5 watts--less than one tenth of the transformer capacity of 400. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. It is not uncommon to see 50-year-old transformers still going strong on a model railroad. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. Early issues used a Bakelite case while later releases had a case made out of plastic. 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. There are also numerous static accessories that do not operate but add visual interest to your layout, such as the #24219 girder bridge. Solid wire is preferable as it is much easier to solder to the rails. Mike to the forum. 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. 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. The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. Lionel makes a seemingly infinite number of cars to in a variety of colors, types, and road names. Transformer sizing for new systems Lionel Trains|MTH Train|Lionel Train Sets| HO model Trains| G Scale|Dept 56 I have had the same problem. 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. Here are a couple examples: As you can see, with a bit of experimentation and imagination, numerous different track layouts can be created. Most recommend the TPCs over the powermasters The CW 80 will work to begin with. Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. 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. 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. This signifies compatibility with 50 Hertz power. I recently acquired a beautiful Lionel NH Alco 420. I didnt mention the 1034 above because its easier to find a 1033. 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. Not unlike the relationship between the locomotive engineer and the fireman. Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. The transformer included with your starter set should be adequate to handle a modest expansion of your train set discussed above. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. They are fun to have. I use to use one KW for 70 feet of main line, sidings and switching yard entry track. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. But after a little while, you will likely want your train to do more, and youll start thinking along these lines: --It sure would be neat if it did more than run in a circle. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. 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?. Understanding the difference is important in getting the right power supply for your needs. I bet they would be great for running lights and unloading the main transformer. It's expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. The car on the left is scale, and the one on the right is the classic, underscale size. Viola, DCS on alternate power blocks, Max signal, Happiness. But Lionel now produces four Track Expansion Sets, which expand this basic loop into something more exciting. PDF Lionel CW-80 Transformer Owner's Manual - thomconte.com For Lionel power the 45 watts is good for a 4 by 8 as a rule of thumb to compensate poor track you just use more feeders. 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. The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. Some systems will use bluetooth technology enabling you to control the trains with your tablet or cell phone. is always one of the first questions asked when someone starts to build a model railroad. If the system's train transformer is run in Europe with a step-down transformer alone (converting only voltage from 230V to 115V AC at a 50 Hz), it may not operate as intended. Extending the Reach of Your Power Over the years I have collected boxed (mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. They have everything you need for a basic setup, and the larger ones are capable of running the smaller layouts you see in the train magazines, so they have some room for growth. Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading. In either case, however, voltage and amperage draw is low and peak for only brief periods. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. What size Lionel transformer do I need? I had 3 lionel cw80's and two quit working. 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. By only supplying power to the trains that need it, you can greatly reduce your needs. A. 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. Some DCC systems also recommend solid wire for certain applications. I know this has nothing to do with Mike's original problem but is more of a reflection on Trainman's reply. 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. 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. 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. As far as new transformers go, someone else may be able to help more than I can. 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. http://www.lccuk.org.uk/lccuk Regards Nick Save Reply Quote N Nick12DMC Registered Members enjoy 15% off any purchase in our store. Lionel 1033 90 watt Transformer Postwar from 1950s-60s Whistle, Direction. 7 Best Transformer For Model Railway - LEDS.CC Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. Price Received. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. 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. To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. If you make a complete loop of 100 feet with good track joints, you'll have something like .1 ohm from the transformer to the farthest point, using the rule of thumb that most track is something like 16 AWG wire (.004 ohms per foot) and that there are two 50 foot tracks feeding the farthest point from two directions. Are you looking for a product or serviceif so, then read this BEFORE you post! Do not connect this product to any other power supply. They give a true 180 watts and have excellent electronic breakers. Antique Train Sets - FAQs for Lionel Collectors Club of America Dave: That certainly qualifies, don't forget the anti-gun lobbyist with the picket sign's. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. The modern equivalent is the Lionel CW-80, but frankly I like the old ones better. 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. In some cases. They're controlled with a simple handheld remote control and run on easy-to-connect plastic track. View More! Lionel Trains: Value, History and What Collectors Should Know And of course, Lionel also makes lots of figures to populate your town. The preferred choice for wiring control panels is telephone or telecommunications wire. 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . The smallest wire you can work with will be more than sufficient. Tech Support for the OGR Forum (NOT FOR TRAINS), PRR fellas!lets build an S2!! Price Received. Expanding the basic oval from the set is the quickest way to add more interest to your trains. I covered the more common ones, but if you have another vintage Lionel transformer of more than 75 watts and its in good condition, theres no reason not to use it. The Lionel ZW is Lionel's most iconic transformer of the 1950s and 1960s, and perhaps one of its most iconic products, period.