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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. However, if you begin to add lighted cars, or more than a couple accessories, you may find that your train will not run as fast, or that it will shut off entirely. Keep the power supplies in an area where they get plenty of air circulation to prevent overheating. Thus an appliance with a 15-ampere plug (the usual kind with parallel blades) must draw no more than 12 amperes. Checklist Transformer Size Calculator When sizing a transformer, you need to know the kilovolt-amps (KVA) that your machine requires. 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. When they were manufactured by The American Flyer Manufacturing Company, they were made in Standard Gauge and a version of "O" gauge. 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. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! I've read that it is good practice to add feeders every 10 sections of track or sothat seems like a lot but I suppose that beats having "dead" spots in the track. Used a 1033 for accessories and lights. The wire can also be purchased as solid or stranded. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. http://www.lccuk.org.uk/lccuk Regards Nick Save Reply Quote N Nick12DMC Registered This works for command control layouts too, since those parked trains are still drawing some current. It would be advantageous if OGR magazine would put an article together comparing the major manufacturers transformers output waveform compatibility/ incompatibilitywith the various manufacturer's locomotives - Atlas O, Weaver, 3rd Rail, MTH , Lionel etc and conventional , DCS , TMCC, Legacy command control. In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. Expanding the basic oval from the set is the quickest way to add more interest to your trains. 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. These transformers are much cheaper than they were even just a few years ago, but that just makes them a bigger bargain today. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). Although I am an electrical engineer, I just add stuff until the transformer gets too warm and then I branch off and add another. If you have time, check out the "Coffee Pot". Sell Your Trains Through an Online Auction Service. If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. 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. To participate you must either login or register for an account. For a 300W set up this will cost you about 100. Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. 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. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. 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. 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. 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. Understanding Electrical Supplies and Controls. I think the RW is a bit better value, but that could just be timing. electronically controlled outputs. Then the K's will do siding and switching yard duty. Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a . Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! The new Lionel ZW-L is getting a lot of good reviews and is a very powerful transformer for most layouts. It is not uncommon to see 50-year-old transformers still going strong on a model railroad. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. 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. Transformers are sized by determining the total load required (in amps). It is also a good idea to run your accessories off of a separate power supply and wire grid from the trains themselves. Transformers are designed to fail if a short in the secondary or control side occurs. 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. Hello, I'm new to this site, and completely new to toy trains also - so please pardon my ignorance! Remember, the only silly question is the one that you did not ask. This is interesting stuff. We feature Lionel, American Flyer, MTH, Atlas O, Williams Trains, K-Line, Weaver Models, and more. As the motor takes in more electricity, the arm turns faster and faster. If youre buying a transformer, youll be able to easily find one that a professional refurbished and upgraded with the links I provide below. 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?. 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. 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. Plan on using the KW's for the big layout and 1033's like I did before. A locomotive on a mile-long loop will draw as many amps as it does on a 4x8 platform. * NOTE: We do not recommend loading a transformer above 80% of its KVA rating. It is 5" long. 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. Electric Trains make great power supplies, depending on usage, on a DCS controlled layout. Wow.thanks for all the advice so far, guys!! Come join the discussion about brands, various scales, repairs, storage, displays, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! It is best to use at least two different colors for your track wiring (one for each rail). As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. Find 500+ popular train rides, museums, and railroad vacation destinations in the U.S and Canada! To my knowledge, you should have no compatibility issues with a pure sine wave track feed with any major brand locomotive. Just not quite as much. Lionel made a lot of other transformers over the years. Mike to the forum. 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. This means that they are not exact 1:48 replicas of the real thing but instead are selectively compressed to negotiate the tight turns of regular Lionel track. Lionel makes a seemingly infinite number of cars to in a variety of colors, types, and road names. (Use buss/feeder lines to distribute power.) Join Today! :-). This diagram shows all of the controls and the pinout for the Lionel RW transformer. Retrofitting a subway line into existing benchwork - and are subway sets still being made? Some people even find it fun. It is much easier to be ready ahead of time then to have to do some changes afterwards. 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. 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. (10 lights X . First, a few general notes about choosing wire. By continuing to use this site, you indicate you accept these terms. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. White and black are common selections. Effort. View More! Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. You should take care, however, to replace worn cords and wires. You can also run Lionel TMCC/Legacy Command Engines using the MTH DCS system with the addition of a Lionel command base and an additional cable. How do you choose the right power supply for your model trains? 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. They do not include a track or power supply, so you will need to buy both separately. 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. Both are lighted. Been there, done that. 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. 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. 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 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. Some of the variables are obvious, others not so much. Number 22 solid wire works best on most scales. The transformer included with your starter set should be adequate to handle a modest expansion of your train set discussed above. 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. You must be signed in to continue. . Classic cars have a 5 or 6 as their second digit [25051, 16686, etc]. 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. As time goes on you can add higher wattage bricks one by one. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. 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.". 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. 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. (Electrical Contractor with dear old Dad for 30 years) Regards Steve. Our community is FREE to join. 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. The greatest transformer Lionel made in the postwar era was the 270 watt Lionel ZW. American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. Whatever colors and pattern you choose, just make sure to keep a good notebook handy to reference later. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. 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. DCC decoders are one good example where the wire colors are critical. I suggest that you proactively lay an 10-2 AWG NM cable (or at least 12-2) along the track and tap into it as needed to keep the voltage up. And that means theyre affordable. Solid wire is preferable as it is much easier to solder to the rails. I paid $75 + shipping for mine a year ago. Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your. And even when Lionel trains run on AC, they sometimes do some DC trickery. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. My current layout uses about 28 sections of track (Lionel o-27). And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". 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. 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. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. Dave: That certainly qualifies, don't forget the anti-gun lobbyist with the picket sign's. --Toy Train Collecting and Operating, by John Grams. You could have a poor connection that caused the wire to heat up. Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 1901-2022. It states: 1.25 amps for each motor, 0.2 amps for each bulb. M3103. 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. Sell Your Trains To A Train Dealer or a Single Buyer. Like command control, these trains still require a constant voltage to the rails. QUOTE: by Skyray "Typical engineer--you need a technician. [:)]. Here are a few: --The Lionel Fastrack Book, by Robert Schleicher. You should always, always test your transformer for safetybefore you set it up, andunplug it when youre not using it. That might work, but it's probably borderline, especially if you are using something like a 1033 transformer that tops out at 16 volts. I'm not sure I completely understand your question. 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. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. Price Received. 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 have pretty much pointed up the major problem, everything is different. Like tankist stated.It's only running multiple engines that I run into issues. Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! If you have a starter set and have had thoughts like this, youre not alone. Over the years I have collected boxed(mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. 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. 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). Do not use this device if water is present. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. That could also be the reason the other transformers don't work. 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. They give a true 180 watts and have excellent electronic breakers. The first Lionel electric trains were powered by wet-cell batteries, which were, of course, dangerous. Starter sets almost always include a power supply along with the track and train. I recently acquired a beautiful Lionel NH Alco 420. 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. Can't plug into outlet? A new ZW will run you in the neighborhood of $450.00 or a little less depending on your dealership. If you have a very long run, you may want to consider Number 12 wire. A model railroad train set designed for use in the United States will have a 115V AC 60Hz power requirement. Right now I am running 8 motors on one KW [the new one I found] and got the old one for reserve. Are you running command or conventional? 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (15) Ages: 14 years and up. Price Received. The load voltage and load amps must be known to calculate KVA rating. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. 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. I recently read an article/product review in the OGR magazine for the new Lioneltransformerand wassurprisedto learn that not all voltage outputwave-formsare created equal (pure sine wave versus some type of clipped sine wave).