Lionel 1033 Transformer Renovation Part I - YouTube IF the Engineer is the guy that drives the locomotive then theTechnician must be the fireman is this correct? This would be more than enough for any single train and a few accessories. The article you suggest would be a daunting task, as you'd have to gather virtually every known locomotive and transformer! Mike to the forum. It was a symbiotic relationship, the engineer designed it and the tech built it, then they both troubleshot it. 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 good news is, Lionel made a lot of good transformers over the years. Dang, this math makes my head hurt. Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. At an average 14 volts - this is 9x14 = 126 watts - the ZW is getting quite warm and I have not run an accessory or another train yet! "O" Gauge is what Lionel is today, along with "O27". It can run four tracks at one time, so you layout can grow. --I need a station for the train to stop at. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, Calculating transformer size for layout size. Connecticut Valley Railroad -- A Branch of the New York, New Haven, And Hartford. The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. You should take care, however, to replace worn cords and wires. 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. 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. 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. Are you running command or conventional? When running a mixed bag train show with new and old trains of mixed types such as Loinel and MTH which is better? Sell Your Trains Through an Online Auction Service. to run conventional you will need Legacy plus a Powermaster and Powermaster Bridge or Legacy and a TPC 300/400. Then power every other one with one of your smaller transformers. This drawing illustrates all of the key functionality of a Lionel KW transformer. If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers' Henry V. I am a person with a very active inner child. Some systems will use bluetooth technology enabling you to control the trains with your tablet or cell phone. What is the best transformer to use? - O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum 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. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. A. 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. 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. Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! 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. what size lionel transformer do i need. Solid wire is preferable as it is much easier to solder to the rails. Dave: That certainly qualifies, don't forget the anti-gun lobbyist with the picket sign's. 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. This comes primarily from the locomotive(s) but also from lights and other accessories. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. An Essential Guide for Toy Train Enthusiasts! All members here are welcome to drop in and visit. 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. My question is.how big of a transformer will I need to power this thing? If you like fixing things, fixing an old transformer is rewarding. The wire can also be purchased as solid or stranded. I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. Ive talked about why 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. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. 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 next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains. RemembertheVeterans. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. When they were manufactured by The American Flyer Manufacturing Company, they were made in Standard Gauge and a version of "O" gauge. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Many load and unload freight from specially designed cars as well. Which Lionel transformer do I need? you ask? The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. [:)]. Of all the questions fielded by the staff of Classic Toy Trains, inquiries regarding layout wiring top the list.While you might expect numerous questions regarding complex techniques or new technologies, CTT. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. If the transformer fails, you most likely have a short or overload somewhere in the control circuit. Calculating transformer size for layout size - Classic Toy - Trains Tech Support for the OGR Forum (NOT FOR TRAINS), PRR fellas!lets build an S2!! If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. Do not connect this product to any other power supply. It is much easier to be ready ahead of time then to have to do some changes afterwards. You should always, always test your transformer for safetybefore you set it up, andunplug it when youre not using it. For more realistic operation, you need some kind of speed control (throttle) between the 10340 Automatic Reversing Unit and your transformer. This tool will allow you calculate the KVA that you need. Most command systems use a constant AC power supply, and trains are controlled by impulses sent through the rails. This will solve the slowdown problem. I don't want to buy a lot more track, but then find out the transformer is too weak, if that make sense. The 110-wattLionel RW is a cheap option, and the 125-watt LW, while a bit more expensive, gives a bit more power. A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW. The CW-80 Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. The first is the traditional or classic size, which are the cars that match starter sets. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. Ill try to find a link to it for you. This is interesting stuff. Do not use this device if water is present. Today, with some luck, you can get one for closer to $100. Ive written more about the Lionel ZW here. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! If your layout is bigger than 48, you may actually find trains run a bit better with a KW than with a smaller transformer. 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . The larger wire is usually more expensive and more challenging to work with. And of course, Lionel also makes lots of figures to populate your town. Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. There was a video by Mike Reagan from Lionel about better smoke output from a chopped wave transformer, but the pure sine wave didn't cause any operational issues. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. I have one R transformer from which I run everything - but only 1 train at a time and a few accessories for a layout in a space about 24 by 10 ft. Besides the train and track, accessories provide a lot of fun and animation to any setup. 10 Easy Ways to Improve a Christmas Train Display, Compatibility of Different Model Train Brands, How to Build and Wire Reverse Loops for Model Trains, Wiring a Model Railroad for Block Operation, Wire Gauge Standards for Model Train Layouts, Model Train Track Grades and Maximum Grade Issues. These small power supplies are designed to supply a few amps of power. Smaller layouts (a typical 4 foot by 8 foot being a good example) can usually get by with Number16 since the length of the run from the power supply to the track is never more than a few feet. As the kit grows and you start putting in turnouts (or the point switching systems) to move your train from one track to another track, you will not only need more than 1 transformer, you will. You can also minimize voltage drop at the rail joints by soldering the rails together. 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 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. If the voltage drop in the track is more than a small fraction of the transformer voltage, that is, a volt or two, you are going to have trouble running the trains anyway. If your going to run anything more that what came with the set then you should probably upgrade to something a little bigger. Because of this, like with lighting and accessories, your power supply and wiring for switch machines do not need to be as robust. It is 5" long. If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. What size Lionel transformer do I need? Our community is FREE to join. We're sorry. Plan on using the KW's for the big layout and 1033's like I did before. Find 500+ popular train rides, museums, and railroad vacation destinations in the U.S and Canada! 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. Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. CW80 Transformer. Transformer Size Calculator - Electram Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. (Use buss/feeder lines to distribute power.) 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. Come join the discussion about brands, various scales, repairs, storage, displays, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. With two switches, you can create an alternative route for your trains. They are fun to have. Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. If the second digit is 9, it could be either, so be careful when considering one of them. The multi-conductor wire is also available. ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Part of the Lionel line since the 1930s, the gateman today is offered not only with a regular railroad-type figure, but also in versions with Santa Claus and a nutcracker figure for the Christmas season. 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. It does run on conventional power but not great and no whistle or bell. It does not work with O27. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. If the system's train transformer is run in Europe with a step-down transformer alone (converting only voltage from 230V to 115V AC at a 50 Hz), it may not operate as intended. The motor takes electricity through a small wire attached to a metal wheel that rests on the middle rail underneath. Like tankist stated.It's only running multiple engines that I run into issues. 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. To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. If you found this post informative or helpful, please share it! This conserves the trains' power supply for their needs and makes troubleshooting much easier. 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. 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. 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. 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. Length of track or type of track doesn't (or shouldn't) matter. I have a basement that offers an 18" concrete ledge that goes around theentire perimeter of the house that lends itself perfectly to a neat layout. THE BASICS "O", "S", "HO". These can all have uses for your layout. Serving these devices with their own dedicated supply will not only allow you to supply them with a proper constant voltage, but it will also free your main power supply to handle the load of the train itself. 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. The 1033 is not the same as the 1044. For most layouts, and most scales, Number14 stranded wire will work best for your bus. 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. 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. 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. Lionel has a new 180 watt transformer due out soon that will be a nice upgrade. Most power supplies will perform very well for years if used within their limits. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized 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. Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). Note that when working with specific products, manufacturers will often recommend a wire size and type. There have been issues with chopped waveform transformers, i.e. These sets use a remote control which talks directly to a receiver in the locomotive. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. I got a lot of lightweight transformers that came with starter sets over the years. Transformer for Lionel that works in AUSTRALIA He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. If you have to ask,your needs are a lot more modest than that. 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.". The farther from the transformer the more resistance in the rails and your engine will slow down. You can use bus and feeder wires to more evenly distribute the power over your track. Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! The choice of a control system is somewhat, but not necessarily, dependent on which manufacturers engines you prefer or have the most of. Then the K's will do siding and switching yard duty. A model railroad train set designed for use in the United States will have a 115V AC 60Hz power requirement. I have noticed that my old transformers do not work well or not work at all with newer electronic whistle tenders. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. Power Conversion for Lionel Trains and O-Gauge - KCC Scientific What type is your old transformer? I didnt mention the 1034 above because its easier to find a 1033. 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. They are known as HO train sets because they are half the size of O-guage. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. This is because the demands for power are becoming more than your transformer can handle. Members enjoy 15% off any purchase in our store. Lionel CW80's can be found for around $50 at Greenberg and other train shows. Lionel Fastrack Track System O Scale Trains | Lionel Fastrack for Sale The same is true for other electronic projects around your layout and inside buildings, train cars, and even locomotives. Get 20 articles about compact layouts and how to build them. If you have a very long run, you may want to consider Number 12 wire. If youre buying a transformer, youll be able to easily find one that a professional refurbished and upgraded with the links I provide below. Some of the variables are obvious, others not so much. :-). Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. Forgot about light bulbs since I don't got some yet. EXPLORE FasTrack 10" Straight Track 4-Pack 6-12032 $ 21.99 FasTrack Grade Crossing with Flashers 6-12052 $ 99.99 FasTrack O36 Curved Track 4-Pack 6-12033 $ 21.99 Legacy AMC-2 Motor Controller HO gauge is very popular because of its size. As far as new transformers go, someone else may be able to help more than I can. 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. Click here to learn about the Unlimited Membership. 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. 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. 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. It's expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. Great for learning all you will ever want to know about Lionels track system. I'm sure I'll need more help along the way, so I'll be checking back in with more silly questions! To determine the maximum transformer current, divide the transformer VA by transformer secondary voltage. 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. David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? I had 3 lionel cw80's and two quit working. This set also includes an uncoupling track section, which will disconnect cars from one another at the touch of a button, and a bumper, which keeps cars from rolling off the end of the track. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. Transformer Calculator KVA Calculator Full Load Amps Calculator 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. The whistle requires more power than the outfits that don't have it. And if the power supply does fail, it is best not to repair it on your own. Getting Started - 3 RAIL TRAINS 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. 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. (NEW/LIKE NEW), running TMCC And DCS engines with DCS handheld, terrible crash in Greece, multiple fatalities, Its.Public Delivery Track ..NEWSpecial run corner, Improving Appearance of 0-gauge Tubular Track. Tales From Harmon Shops, WTB: LIONEL AUTRORACKS SPECIFICALLY SOUTHERN,GRAND TRUNK,BNSF,FERROMEX. 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. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. 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. Also, you wont be able to take advantage of independent control of multiple engines on the same track without a digital controller. The circuit breaker should trip with a click and the transformer should go dead. electronically controlled outputs. Of course, the answer to that question depends on many things. Most feeders will be only a few inches long so the smaller diameter wire will not be a problem. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. Used 1033's for sidings and the switching yard its self. Over the years I have collected boxed (mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. This diagram shows all of the controls and the pinout for the Lionel RW transformer. Sign-up for email today! As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. Thus an appliance with a 15-ampere plug (the usual kind with parallel blades) must draw no more than 12 amperes. 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. M3103. Why Do Lionel Trains Have 3 Rails? | Worldwide Rails --Heck, watching one train run is great, Ill bet TWO would be even more fun! (10 lights X . For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. $7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! Not really a how-to-build-a-layout book, but it is a good general introduction to the hobby full of interesting stuff. Beginners Ask Trains New trains; old transformers. 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. I thought an ENGINEER was the guy driving the train? PDF Lionel CW-80 Transformer Owner's Manual - thomconte.com We use a ZW 275 and a KW on this, so 405 watts. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. 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. This works for command control layouts too, since those parked trains are still drawing some current. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose.
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