Dang, this math makes my head hurt. On the flip side, the new transformers do not seem to work as well with the prewar whistle tenders.Has anyone else noticed this anomaly? 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 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. what size lionel transformer do i need. Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. The two types of cars will connect together just fine, but when side-by-side in a train, they may look a bit odd. Unless I'm all wet it sounded like there are somecompatibilityissues with certain locomotives versus manufacturer's transformer output wave forms. Used 1033's for sidings and the switching yard its self. Do not use this device if water is present. 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.". 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. no it isn't. 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. Note that when working with specific products, manufacturers will often recommend a wire size and type. Lest I offend, in another plane of existence I was an electronics tech. And if the power supply does fail, it is best not to repair it on your own. Because the runs are short and power demands so low, this fine wire poses no safety threat. The Lionel 1033 can be used for small or medium-sized layouts. For more realistic operation, you need some kind of speed control (throttle) between the 10340 Automatic Reversing Unit and your transformer. What lionel transformer do i need - Go Quick Qna All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. 10 Easy Ways to Improve a Christmas Train Display, Wiring a Model Railroad for Block Operation, How to Build and Wire Reverse Loops for Model Trains, How to Choose the Right Transformer for Your Model Trains, Compatibility of Different Model Train Brands, HO Scale Track Plans for Model Train Layouts, buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. 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. Faq No: 1029 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. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! I have a 3amp, 40watt transformer. You should always, always test your transformer for safetybefore you set it up, andunplug it when youre not using it. Some people even find it fun. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. DCS Power Supplies | MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS Which Lionel transformer do I need? - The Silicon Underground Frankly, its hard to go wrong with either of these transformers, especially at todays prices. As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. Find 500+ popular train rides, museums, and railroad vacation destinations in the U.S and Canada! 6 Best Transformer For Ho Trains - LEDS.CC Sell Your Trains To A Train Dealer or a Single Buyer. Price Received. But were talking the trains that are in the absolute best condition and might not have ever run on the track. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. These bus wires are often more important than the size of the power supply itself in getting good results. Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. What size Lionel transformer do I need? Sell Your Trains Using a Live Auction House. 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. 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. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. Some great beginner accessories are the #12052 Fastrack Highway Signal set, which is a set of highway signals that blink as the train goes by. Getting Started - 3 RAIL TRAINS Controlled Magnetics has the manufacturing experience, knowledge, and facilities to repair a wide variety of electrical power transformers. is always one of the first questions asked when someone starts to build a model railroad. The larger wire is usually more expensive and more challenging to work with. 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. Does Lionel still make standard gauge trains? --The O Gauge Railroading Primer, by Christopher Ritchie. With two switches, you can create an alternative route for your trains. It was a symbiotic relationship, the engineer designed it and the tech built it, then they both troubleshot it. LGB FAQs : Power You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. 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. I'm sure I'll need more help along the way, so I'll be checking back in with more silly questions! I don't want to buy a lot more track, but then find out the transformer is too weak, if that make sense. Do not connect this product to any other power supply. It does not work with O27. You should take care, however, to replace worn cords and wires. 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. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following, $12.00 per 12 Months (plus tax if applicable). This is because the demands for power are becoming more than your transformer can handle. "O" Gauge is what Lionel is today, along with "O27". Transformer sizing for new systems In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". 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. M3103. As time goes on you can add higher wattage bricks one by one. A large number of the Lionel Collectors Club UK use this set up to good effect. 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. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. 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. By only supplying power to the trains that need it, you can greatly reduce your needs. 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. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. Power Conversion for Lionel Trains and O-Gauge - KCC Scientific Transformer capacity is rated in KVA (kilo-volt-amperes). You can use bus and feeder wires to more evenly distribute the power over your track. Come join the discussion about brands, various scales, repairs, storage, displays, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. 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. ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. In either case, however, voltage and amperage draw is low and peak for only brief periods. The choice of a control system is somewhat, but not necessarily, dependent on which manufacturers engines you prefer or have the most of. Antique Train Sets - FAQs for Lionel Collectors Club of America Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. Some systems will use bluetooth technology enabling you to control the trains with your tablet or cell phone. They are fun to have. These can all have uses for your layout. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! Choosing the Right Transformer for Your Model Trains - The Spruce Crafts I think the RW is a bit better value, but that could just be timing. Ran 6 motors [MPC's]. But if you already have a 1034 and dont need a whistle button, go ahead and use it. If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. Lionel makes a seemingly infinite number of cars to in a variety of colors, types, and road names. This signifies compatibility with 50 Hertz power. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content. Many load and unload freight from specially designed cars as well. 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. I thought an ENGINEER was the guy driving the train? If your going to run anything more that what came with the set then you should probably upgrade to something a little bigger. Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. 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. It has FasTrack connectors on one end and O Gauge track pins on the other. HO gauge is very popular because of its size. 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. If you like, tell us more about yourself. Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. If you fried a wire going to the track it may not be a transformer problem. These sets use a remote control which talks directly to a receiver in the locomotive. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. The next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains. I talk more in depth about the 1033 here. 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. This is a old school approach for sizing cables & transformers or appliances in the electrical trade, & has never let us down. The 190-wattLionel KWwas the second biggest and second best transformer of the postwar era. 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. 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. Steve's rule of thumb for derating is very close to and in the same spirit as the NEC rule that an appliance may not draw more than 80 percent of the current rating of the outlet. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell these cars apart, and the key is the numbers Lionel assigns to them. One rail is positive, the other negative. The greatest transformer Lionel made in the postwar era was the 270 watt Lionel ZW. Calculating transformer size for layout size - Classic Toy - Trains HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! CW80 Transformer. Been there, done that. 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). Most recommend the TPCs over the powermasters The CW 80 will work to begin with. Lionel Postwar 1033 Transformer Watch on Good choices are the Lionel 32923 Accessory Transformer, or another 80-watt transformer like the one included in your set, #14198. I have purchased diodes to put into the older transformers to see if this resolves the issue with newer tenders. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. 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. Amazon.com: Lionel O Gauge Transformer If youre buying a transformer, youll be able to easily find one that a professional refurbished and upgraded with the links I provide below. The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. 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. Below weve listed these transformers in numerical order in the Numerical Index. I recently acquired a beautiful Lionel NH Alco 420. If you have a very long run, you may want to consider Number 12 wire. A rule of thumb from the elders, (I had to go to the mountain top for this one), Add 2 more watts for Spankybird's fun-filled layout! Solid wire is preferable as it is much easier to solder to the rails. 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. Mike to the forum. Safety first. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. Although it will not have any impact on the performance of the wire within, choosing multiple colors of wire, and standardizing on a specific color for each function, will go a long way in making your wiring easier to install and easier to detect flaws later on. Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. 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. how much track can a transformer handle? | Model Train Forum 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. 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. If you were to get a ZW 275 you need external short protection. All members here are welcome to drop in and visit. Then the K's will do siding and switching yard duty. We use a ZW 275 and a KW on this, so 405 watts. When running a mixed bag train show with new and old trains of mixed types such as Loinel and MTH which is better? All about the Lionel ZW - The Silicon Underground This has the added advantage that Lionel TMCC (command control) will operate correctly. Accessories often interact with the train, such as a crossing gate that lowers as the train passes. It's expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. 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 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. This comes primarily from the locomotive(s) but also from lights and other accessories. what size lionel transformer do i need - senatlaevproducts.com I bet they would be great for running lights and unloading the main transformer. Alternating current (AC) is the preferred power for most O Gauge three-rail trains as well as some two-rail systems in smaller scales. There are also numerous static accessories that do not operate but add visual interest to your layout, such as the #24219 girder bridge. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. 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. This wire is very fine and can be found in many color combinations. 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. 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. Lionel introduced a few LionChief Plus 2.0 starter sets in 2022. The locomotives are battery-powered and made of durable plastic. I paid $75 + shipping for mine a year ago. Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading. To participate you must either login or register for an account. 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. So, if you want to connect eight landscape lights to an electronic transformer, and the lights use 20 watts each, you would need a 160 watt transformer. That means there are lots of them. Starter sets almost always include a power supply along with the track and train. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. If you have a starter set and have had thoughts like this, youre not alone. Lionel Trains|MTH Train|Lionel Train Sets| HO model Trains| G Scale|Dept 56 The car on the left is scale, and the one on the right is the classic, underscale size. They do not include a track or power supply, so you will need to buy both separately. The good news is, Lionel made a lot of good transformers over the years. To my knowledge, you should have no compatibility issues with a pure sine wave track feed with any major brand locomotive. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. This diagram shows all of the controls and the pinout for the Lionel RW transformer. 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. Thanks! 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. 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. * NOTE: We do not recommend loading a transformer above 80% of its KVA rating. What gauge wire is used for Lionel trains? - Sage-Advices To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. Regardless of your scale, all model railroad switch machines fall into one of two categories, a slow-motion electric motor or a "twin coil" relay. 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! I really doubt you will need more than that. And even when Lionel trains run on AC, they sometimes do some DC trickery. If the voltage drop in the track is more than a small fraction of the transformer voltage, that is, a volt or two, you are going to have trouble running the trains anyway. June 5, 2022; cleveland open chess 2021; mexican martial arts xilam Never had a problem. Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. Viola, DCS on alternate power blocks, Max signal, Happiness. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. A. Price Received. Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. 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. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. It does run on conventional power but not great and no whistle or bell. :-). The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. "What size wire should I use?" It can run four tracks at one time, so you layout can grow. 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 KW has constant voltage outputs for accessories, the ZW don't have that feature just four handles for supplying power to four tracks or accessories if you like, both have whistle & direction feature. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. 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. Both are lighted. 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. And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available.