what size lionel transformer do i need

Our community is FREE to join. IF the Engineer is the guy that drives the locomotive then theTechnician must be the fireman is this correct? TRANSFORMERS ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. By creating alternate routes, more complex loops, and storage tracks, your trains will suddenly be even more interesting to watch and they will begin providing you the feeling that they are going somewhere and that you are running a small railroad. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. Please see our article on Fastrack here for more information. 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. 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. Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading. Then power every other one with one of your smaller transformers. Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. 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. 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. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. Used a 1033 for accessories and lights. The first Lionel electric trains were powered by wet-cell batteries, which were, of course, dangerous. If you have a starter set and have had thoughts like this, youre not alone. For a transformer less or equal to 500 kilovolt-amperes, a typical %Z impedance may vary between 2.3% and 5.2% based on the voltage level. Some of the variables are obvious, others not so much. (10 lights X . [:)]. Not wanting to give up, I experimented with an 80 watt modern Lionel transformer and got great results. This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. 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. This tool will allow you calculate the KVA that you need. When running a mixed bag train show with new and old trains of mixed types such as Loinel and MTH which is better? The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. 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. 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. The wire can also be purchased as solid or stranded. 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. 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. When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. the amount of track is not what is important here. My question is.how big of a transformer will I need to power this thing? Join Today! How do you choose the right power supply for your model trains? Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. But Lionel now produces four Track Expansion Sets, which expand this basic loop into something more exciting. Some DCC systems also recommend solid wire for certain applications. And that means theyre affordable. 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. And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. Lots of good tips for building a layout from two of the most experienced people in the hobby. 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. What does a Lionel transformer do? Sell Your Trains To A Train Dealer or a Single Buyer. With the ever-increasing amount of small electronics in today's sophisticated models, this protection is more important than ever. The circuit breaker should trip with a click and the transformer should go dead. It is 5" long. It is also a good idea to run your accessories off of a separate power supply and wire grid from the trains themselves. To my knowledge, you should have no compatibility issues with a pure sine wave track feed with any major brand locomotive. Also, you must have a built-in circuit breaker to prevent a short circuit from causing permanent damage to the power supply or the trains. $2799. The article you suggest would be a daunting task, as you'd have to gather virtually every known locomotive and transformer! Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, WELCOME TO THE FORUM Mike!! The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Ill try to find a link to it for you. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. Most command systems use a constant AC power supply, and trains are controlled by impulses sent through the rails. Today, with some luck, you can get one for closer to $100. Lionel Rolling Stock Identification Guide. You should always, always test your transformer for safetybefore you set it up, andunplug it when youre not using it. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell these cars apart, and the key is the numbers Lionel assigns to them. 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. The Lionel Track & Power catalog is BACK with the latest information for more ways to make your layout even bigger, better and more powerful! The new Lionel ZW-L is getting a lot of good reviews and is a very powerful transformer for most layouts. 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. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Big Ed Railroad Tycoon 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. Checklist Transformer Size Calculator When sizing a transformer, you need to know the kilovolt-amps (KVA) that your machine requires. 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. ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Controlled Magnetics has the manufacturing experience, knowledge, and facilities to repair a wide variety of electrical power transformers. 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! 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. Keep the power supplies in an area where they get plenty of air circulation to prevent overheating. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. It is much easier to be ready ahead of time then to have to do some changes afterwards. Different wiring projects call for different standards. Do not operate the CW-80 Transformer with a damaged cord, plug, or case. If the transformer fails, you most likely have a short or overload somewhere in the control circuit. If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. 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. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. The iconic and legendary 270-wattLionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. 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. LGB throttles 51070, 52120 and 52121 will all work with the 50061 and other LGB transformers. Sell Your Trains Yourself At Train Shows. That might work, but it's probably borderline, especially if you are using something like a 1033 transformer that tops out at 16 volts. Like command control, these trains still require a constant voltage to the rails. Also, you wont be able to take advantage of independent control of multiple engines on the same track without a digital controller. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. 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. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. Beginners Ask Trains New trains; old transformers. That transformer will only prolly handle 1 engine and depending on how long it is will depend on how many extra feeders you will need around the layout. Older transformers I had this issue with are RW, 1033, KW, ZW.newer transformers were all made by MTH. 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. 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. Problem with Rail King Protocol Sounds reversing unit, My D-190 Back in Action After Move to to NC, Caboose Identification - late era vintage, Continuing Saga Newtown Hardwrare House WIP. Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. 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. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! 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. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. You have pretty much pointed up the major problem, everything is different. Why Sign In? All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. 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. Wow.thanks for all the advice so far, guys!! 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. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. Accessories often interact with the train, such as a crossing gate that lowers as the train passes. If you found this post informative or helpful, please share it! Thanks! The polarities can be reversed to change the direction of the train. Here at Trainz, we carry all of the products you will need to go from a starter set to a miniature railroad empire. As cheap as the 1033 is, if youre going to buy a transformer, you might as well pay a few dollars more to get a 1033. To participate you must either login or register for an account. 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. 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. Its a bargain at that price. Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. 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. These transformers are much cheaper than they were even just a few years ago, but that just makes them a bigger bargain today. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? Use this index to see additional details about the individual transformers issued by Lionel during the post-war period. A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW. Thanks in advance for any information, Mike. If you add feeders to the track at the farthest point (remember to get the same wire to the same rails) you will not slow down at the farthest point. Here are a couple examples: As you can see, with a bit of experimentation and imagination, numerous different track layouts can be created. Model train power falls into one of three categories. Can't plug into outlet? In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. If you like, tell us more about yourself. --Heck, watching one train run is great, Ill bet TWO would be even more fun! The Atlas and Bachmann 80 watt transformers, they are one and the same, can be had for around $75.00. 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. A lot of people are using the MTH Z1000's who have smaller layouts while others have moved up to the MTH Z4000. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. This is why my wife loves me so. Transformer sizing for new systems Classic cars have a 5 or 6 as their second digit [25051, 16686, etc]. But it is important to take a close look at the cars to make sure that they are a good match for your set. Starter set locomotives can pull up to 12 cars easily, and most can handle up to 20, so building a longer train will not harm your engine. Forgot about light bulbs since I don't got some yet. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. 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.". DCC is less common in starter sets, but some are available. All members here are welcome to drop in and visit. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. The smallest wire you can work with will be more than sufficient. The Lionel 1033 can be used for small or medium-sized layouts. Effort. 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. OTTS Founder It is not uncommon to see 50-year-old transformers still going strong on a model railroad. In some cases. Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. 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. With two switches, you can create an alternative route for your trains. Been there, done that. This is interesting stuff. Outdoor railroads are, of course, an exception! A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. --The O Gauge Railroading Primer, by Christopher Ritchie. I can remember a time when a Lionel ZW would set you back $275. The customer will still need a step down transformer to get the 220V to 110V. Over the years I have collected boxed(mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. Electric Trains make great power supplies, depending on usage, on a DCS controlled layout. These small power supplies are designed to supply a few amps of power. It can be a great secondary power supply for lighted buildings, signals, and other accessories. The choice of a control system is somewhat, but not necessarily, dependent on which manufacturers engines you prefer or have the most of. Price Received. Take the hint. I don't want to buy a lot more track, but then find out the transformer is too weak, if that make sense. Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. 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. 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. THE BASICS "O", "S", "HO". 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?.

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