what size lionel transformer do i need

They have everything you need for a basic setup, and the larger ones are capable of running the smaller layouts you see in the train magazines, so they have some room for growth. The CW-80 Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. Theres nothing inherently wrong with them, though I would shy away from the smaller transformers that are less than 75 watts, including the modern CW-40. If you're experiencing problems with your wiring due to humidity, for example, you are going to face even greater issues with the trains and tracks themselves. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. Amazon.com: Lionel O Gauge Transformer Model Train Track & Transformer at Lionel Trains All members here are welcome to drop in and visit. Although I am an electrical engineer, I just add stuff until the transformer gets too warm and then I branch off and add another. 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. Needless to say the "Spring into Spring" train show very nearly became unsprung! Lionel makes a seemingly infinite number of cars to in a variety of colors, types, and road names. However, if you begin adding more than 1 or 2 cars, be sure to get some extra track, or your longer train will be chasing its tail very quickly. Everything you need to get going is included, its reliable, and setup is usually very easy. The preferred choice for wiring control panels is telephone or telecommunications wire. While most of the American Flyer products are re-issues using old Gilbert tooling from the 1950s, the O scale equipment is a combination of new designs and reissues. 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. I bet they would be great for running lights and unloading the main transformer. "O" Gauge is what Lionel is today, along with "O27". Past,presentand future. Transformer Sizing Calculator If the second digit is 9, it could be either, so be careful when considering one of them. The other type of cars are the Scale cars, which are exact or near-exact replicas of actual freight cars. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. 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. Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! (Electrical Contractor with dear old Dad for 30 years) Regards Steve. Transformer capacity is rated in KVA (kilo-volt-amperes). I can remember a time when a Lionel ZW would set you back $275. First, a few general notes about choosing wire. 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. Price Received. This drawing illustrates all of the key functionality of a Lionel KW transformer. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. Then the K's will do siding and switching yard duty. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. If you fried a wire going to the track it may not be a transformer problem. Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. That could also be the reason the other transformers don't work. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. All of the transformers that have more than 90 Watts are in great demand today as more collectors are operating retro-layouts. The iconic and legendary 270-wattLionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. 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. They are known as HO train sets because they are half the size of O-guage. What gauge wire is used for Lionel trains? - Sage-Advices 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. Are you looking for a product or serviceif so, then read this BEFORE you post! 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 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. Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. If youre buying a transformer, youll be able to easily find one that a professional refurbished and upgraded with the links I provide below. Use the CW-80 Transformer only for its intended purpose. 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. If you have to ask,your needs are a lot more modest than that. And of course, Lionel also makes lots of figures to populate your town. Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. JavaScript is disabled. The Lionel ZW is Lionel's most iconic transformer of the 1950s and 1960s, and perhaps one of its most iconic products, period. A model railroad train set designed for use in the United States will have a 115V AC 60Hz power requirement. For a passenger train with lighted cars, getting a little more power isnt a bad idea. To participate you must either login or register for an account. This will solve the slowdown problem. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. I have a 3amp, 40watt transformer. The backside of a control panel can turn into a "rat's nest" of wiring very quickly. Effort. Besides the train and track, accessories provide a lot of fun and animation to any setup. For most layouts, and most scales, Number14 stranded wire will work best for your bus. Price Received. 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. This diagram shows all of the controls and the pinout for the Lionel RW transformer. --The O Gauge Railroading Primer, by Christopher Ritchie. I use to use one KW for 70 feet of main line, sidings and switching yard entry track. Then power every other one with one of your smaller transformers. 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. (10 lights X . With multiple switches, lights, power supplies and more all concentrated in a small space, color coding and neatness pay off. And even when Lionel trains run on AC, they sometimes do some DC trickery. Here at Trainz, we carry all of the products you will need to go from a starter set to a miniature railroad empire. The Lionel Track & Power catalog is BACK with the latest information for more ways to make your layout even bigger, better and more powerful! A lot of people are using the MTH Z1000's who have smaller layouts while others have moved up to the MTH Z4000. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. The polarities can be reversed to change the direction of the train. Used 1033's for sidings and the switching yard its self. Dave: That certainly qualifies, don't forget the anti-gun lobbyist with the picket sign's. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, WELCOME TO THE FORUM Mike!! In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. Don't just discard your starter set pack, though. If you like fixing things, fixing an old transformer is rewarding. what size lionel transformer do i need. Just not quite as much. If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. Lionel Model Railroad and Train Transformers for sale | eBay Because of this, like with lighting and accessories, your power supply and wiring for switch machines do not need to be as robust. Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). 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. What is the best transformer to use? - O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. In either case, however, voltage and amperage draw is low and peak for only brief periods. This wire is very fine and can be found in many color combinations. Lionel Vintage Model Railroad & Train Transformers - eBay How to correctly size a transformer | Consulting - Specifying Engineer Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. By only supplying power to the trains that need it, you can greatly reduce your needs. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. This has the added advantage that Lionel TMCC (command control) will operate correctly. The chances are that little power supply isn't going to keep the train running over a full mile, however. The least expensive power supply you should consider is the Lionel CW80 Transformer; you can buy a new one for about $150 or a used on one eBay for about $60. 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. 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 same is true for other electronic projects around your layout and inside buildings, train cars, and even locomotives. Apparently there is a difference between old conventional and new conventional power. I recently acquired a beautiful Lionel NH Alco 420. 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. June 5, 2022; cleveland open chess 2021; mexican martial arts xilam The multi-conductor wire is also available. $7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. They are fun to have. Sell Your Trains Through an Online Auction Service. They give a great deal of power in a single handled transformer, and if you run trains along with another person, it can be more convenient for you to both have a smaller transformer than for two people to huddle around a larger KW or ZW transformer and share its handles. This is different from the stranded wire in that the different individual wires, each with their color-coded insulation, is placed inside a secondary insulation wrap. 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. Older transformers I had this issue with are RW, 1033, KW, ZW.newer transformers were all made by MTH. 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)! 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. ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Remember, the only silly question is the one that you did not ask. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. Sell Your Trains Yourself At Train Shows. Most recommend the TPCs over the powermasters The CW 80 will work to begin with. Here are a couple examples: As you can see, with a bit of experimentation and imagination, numerous different track layouts can be created. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. 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. This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. If you like, tell us more about yourself. 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. 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. 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. . The circuit breaker should trip with a click and the transformer should go dead. Plan on using the KW's for the big layout and 1033's like I did before. 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. What does a Lionel transformer do? For more realistic operation, you need some kind of speed control (throttle) between the 10340 Automatic Reversing Unit and your transformer. You don't really need a diagram -- you want to pick your interval (some would recommend as often as 3'), drill a hole down through your base, and connect a wire to a bus which runs beneath the layout and connects to your transformer (obviously, you need two wires, one for each powered rail). 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. 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. no it isn't. If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. 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. I am currently running about 40 bulbs, which at 0.1 A each total 4 amps! I really doubt you will need more than that. A. Check out my O scale layout progress at MTF, does track consume power? Another classic is the Automatic Gateman. 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. I know my train club had an issue with conventional locomotives not running properly on a layout with DCS and TMCC and apparently solved it by replacing a Lionel transformer with an MRC transformer that puts out a pure sine wave. Price Received. 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). Amperes = VA/Secondary Volts or 40VA/28V = 1.43 amperes. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. Electric Trains make great power supplies, depending on usage, on a DCS controlled layout. Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. The 110-wattLionel RW is a cheap option, and the 125-watt LW, while a bit more expensive, gives a bit more power. As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. Twin coil machines have a higher current draw when in motion but are also much faster-acting than the motorized versions. 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. 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. With the ever-increasing amount of small electronics in today's sophisticated models, this protection is more important than ever. 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]. That's about enough to run a single locomotive and perhaps power a few lighted accessories or passenger cars. 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. If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! Some DCC systems also recommend solid wire for certain applications. 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. Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. When they were manufactured by The American Flyer Manufacturing Company, they were made in Standard Gauge and a version of "O" gauge. American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. Transformers are sized by determining the total load required (in amps). Does Lionel still make standard gauge trains? Right now I am running 8 motors on one KW [the new one I found] and got the old one for reserve. I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. This is why my wife loves me so. I have a post war ZW and a KW and a Z, all three are good transformers, just meant for differant needs. Like tankist stated.It's only running multiple engines that I run into issues. 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. Big Ed Railroad Tycoon Price Received. THE BASICS "O", "S", "HO". Get updates and special offers via email from Trains.com brands! Below weve listed these transformers in numerical order in the Numerical Index. For Lionel power the 45 watts is good for a 4 by 8 as a rule of thumb to compensate poor track you just use more feeders. You can't count on a lack of compatibility issues for one Legacy locomotive being definitive for all Legacy locomotives, for example. Its a bargain at that price. Although all Lionel cars operate on O Gauge track, the bodies of the cars are made in two slightly different sizes. 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. 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. Join Today! As the motor takes in more electricity, the arm turns faster and faster. --I need a station for the train to stop at. 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. Over the years I have collected boxed (mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. I paid $75 + shipping for mine a year ago. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. The 190-wattLionel KWwas the second biggest and second best transformer of the postwar era. Controlled Magnetics has the manufacturing experience, knowledge, and facilities to repair a wide variety of electrical power transformers. In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". Lots of good tips for building a layout from two of the most experienced people in the hobby. 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. Ok our layout is 10 x 20 = 200 sq ft x 2 = 400 watts. I don't want to buy a lot more track, but then find out the transformer is too weak, if that make sense. It is best to use at least two different colors for your track wiring (one for each rail). New trains; old transformers | Classic Toy Trains Magazine DCC decoders are one good example where the wire colors are critical. Here are a few: --The Lionel Fastrack Book, by Robert Schleicher. 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. It can be a great secondary power supply for lighted buildings, signals, and other accessories. Scale cars almost always have the number 7 as the second digit in their number [17623, 27241, etc]. Effort. 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. How do you choose the right power supply for your model trains? 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. In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. Viola, DCS on alternate power blocks, Max signal, Happiness. Expanding Your Lionel Starter Set - Trainz 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. Model train power falls into one of three categories. Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. 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. 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. Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. Lionel made a lot of other transformers over the years.

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