what size lionel transformer do i need

Everyone wanted the two-handled, football-shaped, 275-watt powerhouse that was the ZW. Effort. The greatest transformer Lionel made in the postwar era was the 270 watt Lionel ZW. The 190-wattLionel KWwas the second biggest and second best transformer of the postwar era. The Atlas and Bachmann 80 watt transformers, they are one and the same, can be had for around $75.00. This has the added advantage that Lionel TMCC (command control) will operate correctly. 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. Some people even find it fun. 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. Safety first. I know this has nothing to do with Mike's original problem but is more of a reflection on Trainman's reply. The iconic and legendary 270-wattLionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. Traditionally, Lionel trains run on AC but there are exceptions. Ive talked more about the Lionel RW and the LW as well. IF the Engineer is the guy that drives the locomotive then theTechnician must be the fireman is this correct? The 110-wattLionel RW is a cheap option, and the 125-watt LW, while a bit more expensive, gives a bit more power. Controlled Magnetics has the manufacturing experience, knowledge, and facilities to repair a wide variety of electrical power transformers. Apparently there is a difference between old conventional and new conventional power. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. 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. For a passenger train with lighted cars, getting a little more power isnt a bad idea. The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. Smaller feeder wires are used to bridge the small gap from the bus to the track. Like all electronic products, you want to make sure your power supplies are rated by the appropriate body for your country (UL for example). In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". RemembertheVeterans. If you have a very long run, you may want to consider Number 12 wire. Viola, DCS on alternate power blocks, Max signal, Happiness. Lionel 1033 90 watt Transformer Postwar from 1950s-60s Whistle, Direction. 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. They're controlled with a simple handheld remote control and run on easy-to-connect plastic track. But Lionel now produces four Track Expansion Sets, which expand this basic loop into something more exciting. They give a true 180 watts and have excellent electronic breakers. If you want a spur track to store an extra car or two, Lionel makes another expansion set [#12044] that does just that: Note that this set includes one switch which is the track section that makes the track diverge onto two separate routes. :-). Obviously, for a lot of people, the $700 Lionel ZW-L transformer is overkill. You must be signed in to continue. Use the CW-80 Transformer only for its intended purpose. What about removing flanges from diesel wheels? All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. We're sorry. Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. 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. I had 3 lionel cw80's and two quit working. Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. Another classic is the Automatic Gateman. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a . The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Dave, the nice thing about Lionel transformers is you can run them until the bimetallic breaker pops and then you let it cool and you are back in action (after shutting a few things down)! 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. Unless I'm all wet it sounded like there are somecompatibilityissues with certain locomotives versus manufacturer's transformer output wave forms. Transformer capacity is rated in KVA (kilo-volt-amperes). Everything you need to get going is included, its reliable, and setup is usually very easy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I have purchased diodes to put into the older transformers to see if this resolves the issue with newer tenders. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell these cars apart, and the key is the numbers Lionel assigns to them. While those locomotives and their sound systems are designed to operate using conventional transformers like your ZW, digital controllers are needed to activate additional features like special sound effects and coupler activation. This signifies compatibility with 50 Hertz power. 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. 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! electronically controlled outputs. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! White and black are common selections. Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your. Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. 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. You should take care, however, to replace worn cords and wires. Wire gauges are coded by their size. And even when Lionel trains run on AC, they sometimes do some DC trickery. The same is true for other electronic projects around your layout and inside buildings, train cars, and even locomotives. 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. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. 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. 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. Check out my O scale layout progress at MTF, does track consume power? Both are lighted. Older transformers I had this issue with are RW, 1033, KW, ZW.newer transformers were all made by MTH. Transformers are sized by determining the total load required (in amps). Dang, this math makes my head hurt. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. 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. www.spankybird.shutterfly.com, God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of theNRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified. We use a ZW 275 and a KW on this, so 405 watts. June 5, 2022; cleveland open chess 2021; mexican martial arts xilam Used a 1033 for accessories and lights. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. It states: 1.25 amps for each motor, 0.2 amps for each bulb. (Electrical Contractor with dear old Dad for 30 years) Regards Steve. Just get a Lionel #12053 Accessory wire set and enough extra wire to connect from the wire set back to your transformer [speaker wire works well]. I have a 3amp, 40watt transformer. 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. This diagram shows all of the controls and the pinout for the Lionel RW transformer. Hello, I'm new to this site, and completely new to toy trains also - so please pardon my ignorance! 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. Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. I am currently running about 40 bulbs, which at 0.1 A each total 4 amps! This is a old school approach for sizing cables & transformers or appliances in the electrical trade, & has never let us down. What type is your old transformer? ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. That's about enough to run a single locomotive and perhaps power a few lighted accessories or passenger cars. You can also minimize voltage drop at the rail joints by soldering the rails together. The Lionel ZW is Lionel's most iconic transformer of the 1950s and 1960s, and perhaps one of its most iconic products, period. Do not use this device if water is present. This means that you will have about.5 volt drop if your train draws 5 amperes. It can be a great secondary power supply for lighted buildings, signals, and other accessories. Three conductor wire is common for household use. Most feeders will be only a few inches long so the smaller diameter wire will not be a problem. What size Lionel transformer do I need? Note that when working with specific products, manufacturers will often recommend a wire size and type. As time goes on you can add higher wattage bricks one by one. What size Lionel transformer do I need? I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. http://www.lccuk.org.uk/lccuk Regards Nick Save Reply Quote N Nick12DMC Registered To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. Great for learning all you will ever want to know about Lionels track system. Understanding Electrical Supplies and Controls. TRANSFORMERS ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. 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. 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. Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. Like tankist stated.It's only running multiple engines that I run into issues. The motor takes electricity through a small wire attached to a metal wheel that rests on the middle rail underneath. Our community is FREE to join. I'm sure I'll need more help along the way, so I'll be checking back in with more silly questions! Thanks in advance for any information, Mike. 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. . I can remember a time when a Lionel ZW would set you back $275. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. 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. I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. Our community is FREE to join. Mike, The size of the transformer is dictated by what you want to run, the more you run the more power you will need. 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. [:)]. --Heck, watching one train run is great, Ill bet TWO would be even more fun! As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW. I use to use one KW for 70 feet of main line, sidings and switching yard entry track. The typ miniature incandecents we use average about 100 ma of current each. Lionels HO Gauge items are back! If your going to run anything more that what came with the set then you should probably upgrade to something a little bigger. Although I am an electrical engineer, I just add stuff until the transformer gets too warm and then I branch off and add another. 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. I have noticed that my old transformers do not work well or not work at all with newer electronic whistle tenders. Just not quite as much. They run on O Gauge track, but they are not exact O Scale cars. * NOTE: We do not recommend loading a transformer above 80% of its KVA rating. These bus wires are often more important than the size of the power supply itself in getting good results. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. to run conventional you will need Legacy plus a Powermaster and Powermaster Bridge or Legacy and a TPC 300/400. what size lionel transformer do i need. Ive talked about why here. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! It's expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. Price Received. 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. Ill try to find a link to it for you. (Use buss/feeder lines to distribute power.) Keep the power supplies in an area where they get plenty of air circulation to prevent overheating. Is there anyway of saying how much track it will power? In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. 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. Lots of good information for building any size O Gauge layout. Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. All of the transformers that have more than 90 Watts are in great demand today as more collectors are operating retro-layouts. Price Received. 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. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. It is also a good idea to run your accessories off of a separate power supply and wire grid from the trains themselves. Price Received. 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. What do I need to do that with? This is because the demands for power are becoming more than your transformer can handle. They are fun to have. Lionel Postwar 1033 Transformer Watch on The next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains. A large number of the Lionel Collectors Club UK use this set up to good effect. 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. By only supplying power to the trains that need it, you can greatly reduce your needs. --I need a station for the train to stop at. My current layout uses about 28 sections of track (Lionel o-27). I cant see you needing more than a capacity of 5 amps. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. Should it be a Lionel or should it be an MTH with command control? This tool will allow you calculate the KVA that you need. It does run on conventional power but not great and no whistle or bell. 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . The 1033 is not the same as the 1044. 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. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. I'm not sure I completely understand your question. Its a good transformer. This comes primarily from the locomotive(s) but also from lights and other accessories. (10 lights X . 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. When running a mixed bag train show with new and old trains of mixed types such as Loinel and MTH which is better? All Lionel transformer comparisons should include the common 1033, RW, LW, KW and ZW transformers.



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