what size lionel transformer do i need

Lionel Rolling Stock Identification Guide. QUOTE: by Skyray "Typical engineer--you need a technician. Over the years I have collected boxed(mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. 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. If you were to get a ZW 275 you need external short protection. 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. This conserves the trains' power supply for their needs and makes troubleshooting much easier. Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your. Some people even find it fun. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content. 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. There are also numerous static accessories that do not operate but add visual interest to your layout, such as the #24219 girder bridge. This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. 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. Not wanting to give up, I experimented with an 80 watt modern Lionel transformer and got great results. . What do I need to do that with? God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of theNRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified. I have purchased diodes to put into the older transformers to see if this resolves the issue with newer tenders. 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. IF the Engineer is the guy that drives the locomotive then theTechnician must be the fireman is this correct? If the transformer fails, you most likely have a short or overload somewhere in the control circuit. 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. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. Does Lionel still make standard gauge trains? Smaller feeder wires are used to bridge the small gap from the bus to the track. You could have a poor connection that caused the wire to heat up. Power the odd blocks with the other transformer. Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. 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 has a new 180 watt transformer due out soon that will be a nice upgrade. This is interesting stuff. This is because the demands for power are becoming more than your transformer can handle. 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. Been there, done that. Unless I'm all wet it sounded like there are somecompatibilityissues with certain locomotives versus manufacturer's transformer output wave forms. Here are a few: --The Lionel Fastrack Book, by Robert Schleicher. They are fun to have. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). DCC decoders are one good example where the wire colors are critical. Take the hint. Are you looking for a product or serviceif so, then read this BEFORE you post! Lionel introduced a few LionChief Plus 2.0 starter sets in 2022. 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. Accessories often interact with the train, such as a crossing gate that lowers as the train passes. Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. Get 20 articles about compact layouts and how to build them. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. Lionel trains value varies depending on design, materials, and era. I bet they would be great for running lights and unloading the main transformer. Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. This is a old school approach for sizing cables & transformers or appliances in the electrical trade, & has never let us down. http://www.lccuk.org.uk/lccuk Regards Nick Save Reply Quote N Nick12DMC Registered Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a . Retrofitting a subway line into existing benchwork - and are subway sets still being made? 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). The transformer, when operated at the lower frequency, may . 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. These are all good, dependable transformers from the postwar era that are easy to find today, have adequate wattages ranging from 90-270 watts, have a circuit breaker for safety and have a whistle controller. Most power supplies will perform very well for years if used within their limits. 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. I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. --I need a station for the train to stop at. 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. Most feeders will be only a few inches long so the smaller diameter wire will not be a problem. Sign-up for email today! Apparently there is a difference between old conventional and new conventional power. 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. If you have the proper wire size and a properly-sized circuit breaker, you should not have any problems using the old transformer. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. Lionel and other train manufacturers have worked hard to make adding to a set easy, affordable, and fun. If they do, follow their recommendations. Twin coil machines have a higher current draw when in motion but are also much faster-acting than the motorized versions. 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. Classic Toy Trains 5-Year Collection 2015-2019 DVD-ROM. The greatest transformer Lionel made in the postwar era was the 270 watt Lionel ZW. Number 22 solid wire works best on most scales. As the motor takes in more electricity, the arm turns faster and faster. All Lionel transformer comparisons should include the common 1033, RW, LW, KW and ZW transformers. To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. But Lionel now produces four Track Expansion Sets, which expand this basic loop into something more exciting. Ive talked more about the KW here. A starter set is the best way to start with the train hobby. It does run on conventional power but not great and no whistle or bell. What size Lionel transformer do I need? To determine the maximum transformer current, divide the transformer VA by transformer secondary voltage. Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following, $12.00 per 12 Months (plus tax if applicable). First, a few general notes about choosing wire. If your layout is bigger than 48, you may actually find trains run a bit better with a KW than with a smaller transformer. The CW-80 is a nice little transformer, has accessory output as well,but as you have stated you will outgrow the CW-80 pretty quick. I thought an ENGINEER was the guy driving the train? The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Extending the Reach of Your Power In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. 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. A Passenger consist can easily use more power than the engine. 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 like, tell us more about yourself. Ive talked more about the Lionel RW and the LW as well. Just not quite as much. You can use bus and feeder wires to more evenly distribute the power over your track. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. They do not include a track or power supply, so you will need to buy both separately. The smaller the number, the larger the wire. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. The transformer included with your starter set should be adequate to handle a modest expansion of your train set discussed above. And both of them give more wattage per handle than a KW or ZW. (Electrical Contractor with dear old Dad for 30 years) Regards Steve. I know this has nothing to do with Mike's original problem but is more of a reflection on Trainman's reply. Actually the choice of transformer is secondary to the choice of control systems since you can operate O gauge trains with most any good modern transformer. They run on O Gauge track, but they are not exact O Scale cars. This thing has more power then I will ever need. Besides the train and track, accessories provide a lot of fun and animation to any setup. This comes primarily from the locomotive(s) but also from lights and other accessories. What about removing flanges from diesel wheels? Used 1033's for sidings and the switching yard its self. It is 5" long. 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. Then power every other one with one of your smaller transformers. 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. These transformers are much cheaper than they were even just a few years ago, but that just makes them a bigger bargain today. As you progress with your layout there are a lot of people here who will help you with any questions you have. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. The article you suggest would be a daunting task, as you'd have to gather virtually every known locomotive and transformer! All members here are welcome to drop in and visit. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Transformers are designed to fail if a short in the secondary or control side occurs. :-). Good choices are the Lionel 32923 Accessory Transformer, or another 80-watt transformer like the one included in your set, #14198. Mint-in-box examples of vintage Lionel trains are still valuable and will continue to appreciate in value over time, because there are so few of them. I will make a note here. Here are some simple definitions for these electrical terms: Most power supplies will be labeled as to the scales they are meant to handle. Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. The Lionel 1033 can be used for small or medium-sized layouts. Lest I offend, in another plane of existence I was an electronics tech. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! To participate you must either login or register for an account. Price Received. Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. M3103. Many manufacturers assemble cases with special screws to prevent access to the inside and accidental shock. They're controlled with a simple handheld remote control and run on easy-to-connect plastic track. They give a true 180 watts and have excellent electronic breakers. The 1033 is not the same as the 1044. View More! Use this index to see additional details about the individual transformers issued by Lionel during the post-war period. The accessory activation track (#12029) is used to activate Lionel trackside accessories. Price Received. 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. Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. These can all have uses for your layout. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. Don't just discard your starter set pack, though. Do not operate the CW-80 Transformer with a damaged cord, plug, or case. 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. 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. But it is important to take a close look at the cars to make sure that they are a good match for your set. Lionel 1033 90 watt Transformer Postwar from 1950s-60s Whistle, Direction. 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. Although all Lionel cars operate on O Gauge track, the bodies of the cars are made in two slightly different sizes. 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. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. no it isn't. A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW. (8 lights X 20 watts = 160 watts). 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. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. I think the RW is a bit better value, but that could just be timing. Are you running command or conventional? He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. A locomotive on a mile-long loop will draw as many amps as it does on a 4x8 platform. 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. I got a lot of lightweight transformers that came with starter sets over the years. I really doubt you will need more than that. As time goes on you can add higher wattage bricks one by one. $2799. "O" Gauge is what Lionel is today, along with "O27". Length of track or type of track doesn't (or shouldn't) matter. The typ miniature incandecents we use average about 100 ma of current each. For many first-time train buyers, once the initial excitement of setting up the train and watching it run has passed, the desire to make it do more usually begins. If your going to run anything more that what came with the set then you should probably upgrade to something a little bigger. That could also be the reason the other transformers don't work. Lionel makes a seemingly infinite number of cars to in a variety of colors, types, and road names. Thanks! Of course, the answer to that question depends on many things. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. My question is.how big of a transformer will I need to power this thing? 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. Connecticut Valley Railroad -- A Branch of the New York, New Haven, And Hartford. [:)]. But were talking the trains that are in the absolute best condition and might not have ever run on the track. 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. A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. It is much easier to be ready ahead of time then to have to do some changes afterwards. 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. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. The first Lionel electric trains were powered by wet-cell batteries, which were, of course, dangerous. Ive written more about the Lionel ZW here. Sell Your Trains Through an Online Auction Service. 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. Fortunately, in the early 21st century it is easier to expand your starter set than ever before. It does not work with O27. 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. 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. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! 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. Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in.

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