what size lionel transformer do i need

Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. It was a symbiotic relationship, the engineer designed it and the tech built it, then they both troubleshot it. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. A new ZW will run you in the neighborhood of $450.00 or a little less depending on your dealership. 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 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. --Toy Train Collecting and Operating, by John Grams. That could also be the reason the other transformers don't work. 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. 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). Transformer Sizing Calculator Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. Here are a few: --The Lionel Fastrack Book, by Robert Schleicher. The transformer included with your starter set should be adequate to handle a modest expansion of your train set discussed above. 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. My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? 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. PDF Lionel CW-80 Transformer Owner's Manual - thomconte.com Is there anyway of saying how much track it will power? LGB throttles 51070, 52120 and 52121 will all work with the 50061 and other LGB transformers. Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. 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. To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. Transformer Size Calculator - Electram I didnt mention the 1034 above because its easier to find a 1033. This is interesting stuff. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! I know this has nothing to do with Mike's original problem but is more of a reflection on Trainman's reply. 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. All about the Lionel ZW - The Silicon Underground This is where the Lionel transformer comparisons should begin. [:)]. This will spread the load of your lighted passenger consist across the two transformers. 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. The Lionel ZW is Lionel's most iconic transformer of the 1950s and 1960s, and perhaps one of its most iconic products, period. HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! Lionel Trains|MTH Train|Lionel Train Sets| HO model Trains| G Scale|Dept 56 Remember, the only silly question is the one that you did not ask. This wire is very fine and can be found in many color combinations. These small power supplies are designed to supply a few amps of power. 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. I think the RW is a bit better value, but that could just be timing. You can use bus and feeder wires to more evenly distribute the power over your track. 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. The choice of a control system is somewhat, but not necessarily, dependent on which manufacturers engines you prefer or have the most of. I really doubt you will need more than that. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. Ive talked about why here. Sell Your Trains To A Train Dealer or a Single Buyer. Serious or fatal injuries may result. 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (15) Ages: 14 years and up. Tech Support for the OGR Forum (NOT FOR TRAINS), PRR fellas!lets build an S2!! Members enjoy 15% off any purchase in our store. Effort. Lionel Postwar 1033 Transformer Watch on The smallest wire you can work with will be more than sufficient. 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. And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. For a classic setup of a single freight train running on a 48 sheet of plywood, a 90 watt Lionel 1033 or 1042 is an excellent choice. 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. Trainz carries a variety of books that build upon the information listed above. 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. These transformers are much cheaper than they were even just a few years ago, but that just makes them a bigger bargain today. If you like fixing things, fixing an old transformer is rewarding. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. Join Today! Ok our layout is 10 x 20 = 200 sq ft x 2 = 400 watts. 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. And even when Lionel trains run on AC, they sometimes do some DC trickery. Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. 6 Best Transformer For Ho Trains - LEDS.CC 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. Some people even find it fun. Price Received. The polarities can be reversed to change the direction of the train. CW80 Transformer. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. Lionel makes a seemingly infinite number of cars to in a variety of colors, types, and road names. Price Received. Do not connect this product to any other power supply. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. 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. Not really a how-to-build-a-layout book, but it is a good general introduction to the hobby full of interesting stuff. electronically controlled outputs. Its a bargain at that price. I will make a note here. Are you running command or conventional? 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. 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. Lionel Trains: Value, History and What Collectors Should Know http://www.lccuk.org.uk/lccuk Regards Nick Save Reply Quote N Nick12DMC Registered I justhave a very basic 027 set (guessin' mid 80's?). They are fun to have. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. You have pretty much pointed up the major problem, everything is different. The farther from the transformer the more resistance in the rails and your engine will slow down. The CW-80 Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. It is best to use at least two different colors for your track wiring (one for each rail). It is not uncommon to see 50-year-old transformers still going strong on a model railroad. The first is the traditional or classic size, which are the cars that match starter sets. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. The new Lionel ZW-L is getting a lot of good reviews and is a very powerful transformer for most layouts. Can't plug into outlet? Never had a problem. But Lionel now produces four Track Expansion Sets, which expand this basic loop into something more exciting. Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in. 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! 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. Not unlike the relationship between the locomotive engineer and the fireman. Because of this, like with lighting and accessories, your power supply and wiring for switch machines do not need to be as robust. Used 1033's for sidings and the switching yard its self. This is because the demands for power are becoming more than your transformer can handle. 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. They run on O Gauge track, but they are not exact O Scale cars. 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. If the second digit is 9, it could be either, so be careful when considering one of them. :-). It is also a good idea to run your accessories off of a separate power supply and wire grid from the trains themselves. Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. The two types of cars will connect together just fine, but when side-by-side in a train, they may look a bit odd. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. 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. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. 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. 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. Most command systems use a constant AC power supply, and trains are controlled by impulses sent through the rails. (8 lights X 20 watts = 160 watts). Right now I am running 8 motors on one KW [the new one I found] and got the old one for reserve. 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. 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. This means that you will have about.5 volt drop if your train draws 5 amperes. 40-200 20 Watt DC Transformer - Small DC transformer suitable for powering a single HO diesel or steam locomotive equipped with Proto-Sound 3.0. Thus an appliance with a 15-ampere plug (the usual kind with parallel blades) must draw no more than 12 amperes. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). $2799. Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. Effort. What size Lionel transformer do I need? 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. I cant see you needing more than a capacity of 5 amps. A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW. I'm sure I'll need more help along the way, so I'll be checking back in with more silly questions! This conserves the trains' power supply for their needs and makes troubleshooting much easier. Professionals Need: Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime: Prime Video Direct Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. 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. The Lionel 1033 can be used for small or medium-sized 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. THE BASICS "O", "S", "HO". VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Wow.thanks for all the advice so far, guys!! Here are some simple definitions for these electrical terms: Most power supplies will be labeled as to the scales they are meant to handle. For a passenger train with lighted cars, getting a little more power isnt a bad idea. $7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. Used a 1033 for accessories and lights. Been there, done that. There are many advantages in repairing or reconditioning your transformers. Amazon.com: Lionel O Gauge Transformer The 1033 is not the same as the 1044. Electric Trains make great power supplies, depending on usage, on a DCS controlled layout. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! Just not quite as much. When you get DCS, keep the blocks and run the 2 sets off 2 Fixed channels out. QUOTE: by Skyray "Typical engineer--you need a technician. I got a lot of lightweight transformers that came with starter sets over the years. In some cases. There are also numerous static accessories that do not operate but add visual interest to your layout, such as the #24219 girder bridge. Our community is FREE to join. Model Train Track & Transformer at Lionel Trains 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.". Faq No: 1029 The Atlas and Bachmann 80 watt transformers, they are one and the same, can be had for around $75.00. Price Received. The first Lionel electric trains were powered by wet-cell batteries, which were, of course, dangerous. As you progress with your layout there are a lot of people here who will help you with any questions you have. 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 higher powered units would not meet todays safety standards as issued by Underwriters Laboratories. David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? Most power supplies will perform very well for years if used within their limits. 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. If you were to get a ZW 275 you need external short protection. One rail is positive, the other negative. The chances are that little power supply isn't going to keep the train running over a full mile, however. Transformers are sized by determining the total load required (in amps). The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. Needless to say the "Spring into Spring" train show very nearly became unsprung! What do I need to do that with? 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. The other type of cars are the Scale cars, which are exact or near-exact replicas of actual freight cars. Classic cars have a 5 or 6 as their second digit [25051, 16686, etc]. 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. 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. 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. What type is your old transformer? Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership. Here are a couple examples: As you can see, with a bit of experimentation and imagination, numerous different track layouts can be created. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. Then the K's will do siding and switching yard duty. 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. 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. 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. If you like, tell us more about yourself. 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. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. is always one of the first questions asked when someone starts to build a model railroad. Antique Train Sets - FAQs for Lionel Collectors Club of America Traditionally, Lionel trains run on AC but there are exceptions. converting a 2-rail freight car to 2-rail with Atlas trucks, My Triple Level Layout -FREEBIE UPDATE- 3/2/23, Successful Open House Upstate (NY) Model Railroaders, FS: Lionel MPC and modern traditional size rolling stock. 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. Besides the train and track, accessories provide a lot of fun and animation to any setup. This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. The Best Technical and Innovative Podcasts you should Listen, Essay Writing Service: The Best Solution for Busy Students, 6 The Best Alternatives for WhatsApp for Android, The Best Solar Street Light Manufacturers Across the World, Ultimate packing list while travelling with your dog. Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! 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. Mike to the forum. The preferred choice for wiring control panels is telephone or telecommunications wire. Lots of good information for building any size O Gauge layout. The thing that eats current is a lot of light bulbs on the layout. Amperes = VA/Secondary Volts or 40VA/28V = 1.43 amperes. 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. DCC decoders are one good example where the wire colors are critical. Another classic is the Automatic Gateman. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. Lionel Vintage Model Railroad & Train Transformers - eBay 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).

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