Are you looking for a product or serviceif so, then read this BEFORE you post! 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 paid $75 + shipping for mine a year ago. Tales From Harmon Shops, WTB: LIONEL AUTRORACKS SPECIFICALLY SOUTHERN,GRAND TRUNK,BNSF,FERROMEX. Transformers are designed to fail if a short in the secondary or control side occurs. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. 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. 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. This tool will allow you calculate the KVA that you need. The next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains. Do not use this device if water is present. 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. Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. And of course, Lionel also makes lots of figures to populate your town. Controlled Magnetics has the manufacturing experience, knowledge, and facilities to repair a wide variety of electrical power transformers. 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. Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. 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. * NOTE: We do not recommend loading a transformer above 80% of its KVA rating. LGB FAQs : Power Most power supplies will perform very well for years if used within their limits. 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. 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. 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. Keep the power supplies in an area where they get plenty of air circulation to prevent overheating. The farther from the transformer the more resistance in the rails and your engine will slow down. 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. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. You should always, always test your transformer for safetybefore you set it up, andunplug it when youre not using it. June 5, 2022; cleveland open chess 2021; mexican martial arts xilam The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. I recently acquired a beautiful Lionel NH Alco 420. 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. I don't want to buy a lot more track, but then find out the transformer is too weak, if that make sense. to run conventional you will need Legacy plus a Powermaster and Powermaster Bridge or Legacy and a TPC 300/400. The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. Plan on using the KW's for the big layout and 1033's like I did before. 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. Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. Not really a how-to-build-a-layout book, but it is a good general introduction to the hobby full of interesting stuff. Never had a problem. And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. TRANSFORMERS ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Transformer Calculator KVA Calculator Full Load Amps Calculator How to Properly Size a Transformer | Behler-Young In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. 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. The smallest wire you can work with will be more than sufficient. 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. --Build a Better Toy Train Layout, by John Grams and Dick Christianson. I am currently running about 40 bulbs, which at 0.1 A each total 4 amps! Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. QUOTE: by Skyray "Typical engineer--you need a technician. Ive talked more about the KW here. 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. Tech Support for the OGR Forum (NOT FOR TRAINS), PRR fellas!lets build an S2!! Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. If youre buying a transformer, youll be able to easily find one that a professional refurbished and upgraded with the links I provide below. 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. I know this has nothing to do with Mike's original problem but is more of a reflection on Trainman's reply. It can run four tracks at one time, so you layout can grow. 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. [:)]. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. What lionel transformer do i need - Go Quick Qna But if you already have a 1034 and dont need a whistle button, go ahead and use it. 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. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, Calculating transformer size for layout size. 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. 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. 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). Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers' Henry V. I am a person with a very active inner child. It is not uncommon to see 50-year-old transformers still going strong on a model railroad. 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. Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. Multi-conductor wires with many strands of finer wire are more common for telecommunications and electronics. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. If your going to run anything more that what came with the set then you should probably upgrade to something a little bigger. If your layout is bigger than 48, you may actually find trains run a bit better with a KW than with a smaller transformer. Mark. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. If you were to get a ZW 275 you need external short protection. Both are lighted. Is there anyway of saying how much track it will power? How to correctly size a transformer | Consulting - Specifying Engineer I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. RemembertheVeterans. Classic cars have a 5 or 6 as their second digit [25051, 16686, etc]. A large number of the Lionel Collectors Club UK use this set up to good effect. Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in. 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. Lionel Ready-to-Play is a large sized train that's made to be affordable and easy-to-use for both kids and adults alike. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. Just connect the jumper wires to the same connections on the back of your transformer as your original connections, and make sure that the wires are not crossed. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. This will solve the slowdown problem. Retrofitting a subway line into existing benchwork - and are subway sets still being made? A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. Members enjoy 15% off any purchase in our store. White and black are common selections. 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. Remember, the only silly question is the one that you did not ask. Of all the questions fielded by the staff of Classic Toy Trains, inquiries regarding layout wiring top the list.While you might expect numerous questions regarding complex techniques or new technologies, CTT. Lest I offend, in another plane of existence I was an electronics tech. For a 300W set up this will cost you about 100. It is best to use at least two different colors for your track wiring (one for each rail). 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. What size Lionel transformer do I need? Early issues used a Bakelite case while later releases had a case made out of plastic. Digital command control systems (DCC) uses digital information to control the electrical power to the train. And even when Lionel trains run on AC, they sometimes do some DC trickery. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. My current layout uses about 28 sections of track (Lionel o-27). There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. 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. Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. 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. Outdoor railroads are, of course, an exception! Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. Lionel made a lot of other transformers over the years. The transformer included with your starter set should be adequate to handle a modest expansion of your train set discussed above. 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. 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. 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. 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! David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? Find 500+ popular train rides, museums, and railroad vacation destinations in the U.S and Canada! 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. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. How to open tamper resistant outlets, Xxcopy vs Xcopy: Command line copy utilities, Where to connect the red wire to a light switch, Brains 25 cents: The story behind the meme. --I need a station for the train to stop at. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. 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. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. When you get DCS, keep the blocks and run the 2 sets off 2 Fixed channels out. The motor takes electricity through a small wire attached to a metal wheel that rests on the middle rail underneath. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. Lionel Trains: Value, History and What Collectors Should Know It is also a good idea to run your accessories off of a separate power supply and wire grid from the trains themselves. Model Train Scales & Gauges: The Lionel Trains Guide Viola, DCS on alternate power blocks, Max signal, Happiness. A locomotive on a mile-long loop will draw as many amps as it does on a 4x8 platform. Transformer Sizing Calculator 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! I talk more in depth about the 1033 here. 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. An Essential Guide for Toy Train Enthusiasts! Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. As the train goes by, the door to the shed opens and a figure pops out, and once the train has passed the figure re-enters the building and the door shuts. The Lionel Multi-control 1033 is a 90 watt transformer produced from 1948 to 1956. DCC decoders are one good example where the wire colors are critical. Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. Lionel makes a seemingly infinite number of cars to in a variety of colors, types, and road names. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. If you have a very long run, you may want to consider Number 12 wire. 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. The multi-conductor wire is also available. Understanding the difference is important in getting the right power supply for your needs. Length of track or type of track doesn't (or shouldn't) matter. I can remember a time when a Lionel ZW would set you back $275. What is the best transformer to use? - O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum If you have time, check out the "Coffee Pot". 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. To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. As far as new transformers go, someone else may be able to help more than I can. HO gauge is very popular because of its size. Its a bargain at that price. This is interesting stuff. The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. Price Received. What size Lionel transformer do I need? 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?. The smaller the number, the larger the wire. In some cases. All Lionel transformer comparisons should include the common 1033, RW, LW, KW and ZW transformers. 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. 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. The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. Mike to the forum. There are also numerous static accessories that do not operate but add visual interest to your layout, such as the #24219 girder bridge. 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. Apparently there is a difference between old conventional and new conventional power. Today, with some luck, you can get one for closer to $100. 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. 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. HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! They do not include a track or power supply, so you will need to buy both separately. Transformer Size Calculator - Electram 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. This is a old school approach for sizing cables & transformers or appliances in the electrical trade, & has never let us down. Most recommend the TPCs over the powermasters The CW 80 will work to begin with. There have been issues with chopped waveform transformers, i.e. $7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. If you fried a wire going to the track it may not be a transformer problem. Click here to learn about the Unlimited Membership. Hello, I'm new to this site, and completely new to toy trains also - so please pardon my ignorance! Use the CW-80 Transformer only for its intended purpose. Trainz carries a variety of books that build upon the information listed above. We're sorry. Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following, $12.00 per 12 Months (plus tax if applicable). It was a symbiotic relationship, the engineer designed it and the tech built it, then they both troubleshot it. Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. I bet they would be great for running lights and unloading the main transformer. Then the K's will do siding and switching yard duty. What type is your old transformer? By only supplying power to the trains that need it, you can greatly reduce your needs. 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. A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. . (8 lights X 20 watts = 160 watts). Used a 1033 for accessories and lights. All of the transformers that have more than 90 Watts are in great demand today as more collectors are operating retro-layouts. Mike, The size of the transformer is dictated by what you want to run, the more you run the more power you will need. Classic Toy Trains 5-Year Collection 2015-2019 DVD-ROM. 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. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. I thought an ENGINEER was the guy driving the train? Twin coil machines have a higher current draw when in motion but are also much faster-acting than the motorized versions. That said, if youre uncomfortable fixing a transformer, I wont look down on you for buying one someone else fixed up. THE BASICS "O", "S", "HO". 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. Been there, done that. Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. However, there are times when the solid wire has advantages, particularly when soldering in small locations. --Toy Train Collecting and Operating, by John Grams. Over the years I have collected boxed(mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. The article you suggest would be a daunting task, as you'd have to gather virtually every known locomotive and transformer! I didnt mention the 1034 above because its easier to find a 1033. Lionel Fastrack Track System O Scale Trains | Lionel Fastrack for Sale Price Received. Check out my O scale layout progress at MTF, does track consume power? 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. The two types of cars will connect together just fine, but when side-by-side in a train, they may look a bit odd. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. Sign-up for email today! If you want a station for your trains to stop at, there are both station platforms [#24159] as well as full sized stations [#14257]. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. Please see our article on Fastrack here for more information. If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! Serious or fatal injuries may result. M3103. This thing has more power then I will ever need. These can all have uses for your layout. Sell Your Trains Yourself At Train Shows. You can't count on a lack of compatibility issues for one Legacy locomotive being definitive for all Legacy locomotives, for example. But it is important to take a close look at the cars to make sure that they are a good match for your set. Do not operate the CW-80 Transformer with a damaged cord, plug, or case. Ive written more about the Lionel ZW here. the amount of track is not what is important here. Model train transformer- 6 steps to understanding how they work 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).
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