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. Are you looking for a product or serviceif so, then read this BEFORE you post! 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. This conserves the trains' power supply for their needs and makes troubleshooting much easier. As far as new transformers go, someone else may be able to help more than I can. 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. 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. If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! The iconic and legendary 270-wattLionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. M3103. If you were to get a ZW 275 you need external short protection. When they were manufactured by The American Flyer Manufacturing Company, they were made in Standard Gauge and a version of "O" gauge. 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. Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell these cars apart, and the key is the numbers Lionel assigns to them. "O" Gauge is what Lionel is today, along with "O27". 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. This comes primarily from the locomotive(s) but also from lights and other accessories. It also has an optional bell sound that can be turned on and off. $7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. If you have to ask,your needs are a lot more modest than that. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. 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. I think the RW is a bit better value, but that could just be timing. Transformers are sized by determining the total load required (in amps). First, a few general notes about choosing wire. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a . 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. Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. What about removing flanges from diesel wheels? Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. As the motor takes in more electricity, the arm turns faster and faster. The load voltage and load amps must be known to calculate KVA rating. --Toy Train Collecting and Operating, by John Grams. Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of theNRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? This tool will allow you calculate the KVA that you need. 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. Dave: That certainly qualifies, don't forget the anti-gun lobbyist with the picket sign's. The same is true for other electronic projects around your layout and inside buildings, train cars, and even locomotives. 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. Model train power falls into one of three categories. A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. --Heck, watching one train run is great, Ill bet TWO would be even more fun! Most power supplies will perform very well for years if used within their limits. The Lionel RW also happens to be a great transformer for Marx or American Flyer trains too, when you connect the track leads to the B and U posts instead of the A and U posts youd normally use for most Lionel setups. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. They are fun to have. Like command control, these trains still require a constant voltage to the rails. Classic cars have a 5 or 6 as their second digit [25051, 16686, etc]. 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. The accessory activation track (#12029) is used to activate Lionel trackside accessories. Its a bargain at that price. If you have a very long run, you may want to consider Number 12 wire. This is a old school approach for sizing cables & transformers or appliances in the electrical trade, & has never let us down. 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. Click here to learn about the Unlimited Membership. 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. Here at Trainz, we carry all of the products you will need to go from a starter set to a miniature railroad empire. The best of the best Lionel trains are very valuable. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, WELCOME TO THE FORUM Mike!! Check out my O scale layout progress at MTF, does track consume power? Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. 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. 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. (8 lights X 20 watts = 160 watts). The CW-80 Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. I will make a note here. 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. Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. (Use buss/feeder lines to distribute power.) 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. 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. 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. It is best to use at least two different colors for your track wiring (one for each rail). Here are a couple examples: As you can see, with a bit of experimentation and imagination, numerous different track layouts can be created. 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. Although I am an electrical engineer, I just add stuff until the transformer gets too warm and then I branch off and add another. 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. Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. 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. I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. Are you running command or conventional? * NOTE: We do not recommend loading a transformer above 80% of its KVA rating. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. Ive talked more about the Lionel RW and the LW as well. Mike, The size of the transformer is dictated by what you want to run, the more you run the more power you will need. 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. 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. The next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains. If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. Like tankist stated.It's only running multiple engines that I run into issues. 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. Smaller feeder wires are used to bridge the small gap from the bus to the track. I have a 3amp, 40watt transformer. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. Although all Lionel cars operate on O Gauge track, the bodies of the cars are made in two slightly different sizes. 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. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. A new ZW will run you in the neighborhood of $450.00 or a little less depending on your dealership. We feature Lionel, American Flyer, MTH, Atlas O, Williams Trains, K-Line, Weaver Models, and more. Thanks! Tales From Harmon Shops, WTB: LIONEL AUTRORACKS SPECIFICALLY SOUTHERN,GRAND TRUNK,BNSF,FERROMEX. The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. These bus wires are often more important than the size of the power supply itself in getting good results. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Classic Toy Trains 5-Year Collection 2015-2019 DVD-ROM. Everyone wanted the two-handled, football-shaped, 275-watt powerhouse that was the ZW. Big Ed Railroad Tycoon June 5, 2022; cleveland open chess 2021; mexican martial arts xilam Hello, I'm new to this site, and completely new to toy trains also - so please pardon my ignorance! Past,presentand future. The Lionel 1033 can be used for small or medium-sized layouts. We use a ZW 275 and a KW on this, so 405 watts. 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. This will solve the slowdown problem. For safety reasons, the batteries were soon replaced by a 110 volt transformer. 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 chances are that little power supply isn't going to keep the train running over a full mile, however. That said, if youre uncomfortable fixing a transformer, I wont look down on you for buying one someone else fixed up. If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. Keep the power supplies in an area where they get plenty of air circulation to prevent overheating. 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. As an example, look at these two cars closely: While both are gondola cars and run on O Gauge track, note how the car on the left is much longer than the one on the right. 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. You must be signed in to continue. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. When running a mixed bag train show with new and old trains of mixed types such as Loinel and MTH which is better? By continuing to use this site, you indicate you accept these terms. A: According to Lionel's head of customer service, on the underside of their CW80 transformers, starting in late 2009, the vendor applied a sticker that states "QC50" on it. Because the runs are short and power demands so low, this fine wire poses no safety threat. The circuit breaker should trip with a click and the transformer should go dead. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. Plan on using the KW's for the big layout and 1033's like I did before. Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. Lionel has a new 180 watt transformer due out soon that will be a nice upgrade. They're controlled with a simple handheld remote control and run on easy-to-connect plastic track. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. Get updates and special offers via email from Trains.com brands! Effort. Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. A. I bet they would be great for running lights and unloading the main transformer. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. [:)]. 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (15) Ages: 14 years and up. I paid $75 + shipping for mine a year ago. 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. Some DCC systems also recommend solid wire for certain applications. Just not quite as much. We're sorry. Our community is FREE to join. Then the K's will do siding and switching yard duty. Just not quite as much. This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. The transformer, when operated at the lower frequency, may . TRANSFORMERS ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Forgot about light bulbs since I don't got some yet. Needless to say the "Spring into Spring" train show very nearly became unsprung! (Electrical Contractor with dear old Dad for 30 years) Regards Steve. It is not uncommon to see 50-year-old transformers still going strong on a model railroad. JavaScript is disabled. However, there are times when the solid wire has advantages, particularly when soldering in small locations. what size lionel transformer do i need. DCC decoders are one good example where the wire colors are critical. Ive talked more about the KW here. Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. 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. It's expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. 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. Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. Over the years I have collected boxed (mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. Ran 6 motors [MPC's]. Lionel trains value varies depending on design, materials, and era. The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Apparently there is a difference between old conventional and new conventional power. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. White and black are common selections. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Transformer capacity is rated in KVA (kilo-volt-amperes). 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). Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership. If they do, follow their recommendations. 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. Mark. Expanding the basic oval from the set is the quickest way to add more interest to your trains.
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