what size lionel transformer do i need
Retrofitting a subway line into existing benchwork - and are subway sets still being made? It also has an optional bell sound that can be turned on and off. (using 4 of the 180 watt Lionel bricks) That's 10 amps per channel on all 4 channels. Although I am an electrical engineer, I just add stuff until the transformer gets too warm and then I branch off and add another. How do you choose the right power supply for your model trains? The first Lionel electric trains were powered by wet-cell batteries, which were, of course, dangerous. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! It is best to use at least two different colors for your track wiring (one for each rail). If you have the proper wire size and a properly-sized circuit breaker, you should not have any problems using the old transformer. But were talking the trains that are in the absolute best condition and might not have ever run on the track. 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. What do I need to do that with? The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. If you were to get a ZW 275 you need external short protection. You should take care, however, to replace worn cords and wires. Many will still run on the track in your starter set, but because they are scale sized, the bodies of these cars may be slightly wider and longer than those in your set. 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.". Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. One rail is positive, the other negative. Then the K's will do siding and switching yard duty. If you have a very long run, you may want to consider Number 12 wire. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If your layout is bigger than 48, you may actually find trains run a bit better with a KW than with a smaller transformer. As far as new transformers go, someone else may be able to help more than I can. David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? 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]. Get updates and special offers via email from Trains.com brands! Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. The new Lionel ZW-L is getting a lot of good reviews and is a very powerful transformer for most layouts. The Lionel Multi-control 1033 is a 90 watt transformer produced from 1948 to 1956. 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. --Build a Better Toy Train Layout, by John Grams and Dick Christianson. RemembertheVeterans. The Lionel Track & Power catalog is BACK with the latest information for more ways to make your layout even bigger, better and more powerful! As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. It was one of Lionel's more venerable postwar products, lasting on the market for 18 years from 1948 to 1966. Although all Lionel cars operate on O Gauge track, the bodies of the cars are made in two slightly different sizes. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. On the flip side, the new transformers do not seem to work as well with the prewar whistle tenders.Has anyone else noticed this anomaly? 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. In either case, however, voltage and amperage draw is low and peak for only brief periods. Lionel Postwar 1033 Transformer Watch on The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. Number 26 to 20 wire (depending on the length of your bus) will be sufficient for most applications. 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. 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. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, WELCOME TO THE FORUM Mike!! Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. They give a true 180 watts and have excellent electronic breakers. 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. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. 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. For a passenger train with lighted cars, getting a little more power isnt a bad idea. Some people even find it fun. It is 5" long. For many first-time train buyers, once the initial excitement of setting up the train and watching it run has passed, the desire to make it do more usually begins. Unless I'm all wet it sounded like there are somecompatibilityissues with certain locomotives versus manufacturer's transformer output wave forms. 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. All Lionel transformer comparisons should include the common 1033, RW, LW, KW and ZW transformers. 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. (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. 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. 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. Keep the power supplies in an area where they get plenty of air circulation to prevent overheating. Transformer capacity is rated in KVA (kilo-volt-amperes). The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. 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. I can remember a time when a Lionel ZW would set you back $275. If you have to ask,your needs are a lot more modest than that. In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. Most feeders will be only a few inches long so the smaller diameter wire will not be a problem. 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. 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. What about removing flanges from diesel wheels? What type is your old transformer? Trainz carries a variety of books that build upon the information listed above. When you get DCS, keep the blocks and run the 2 sets off 2 Fixed channels out. Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. This conserves the trains' power supply for their needs and makes troubleshooting much easier. 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. Our community is FREE to join. DCC decoders are one good example where the wire colors are critical. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. Number 24 to Number20 wire will all work with most layouts. 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. A starter set is the best way to start with the train hobby. I am currently running about 40 bulbs, which at 0.1 A each total 4 amps! 24v, 120v, 208v, 240v, 480v, and 600v). The 190-wattLionel KWwas the second biggest and second best transformer of the postwar era. If you like, tell us more about yourself. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. 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. 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. These transformers are much cheaper than they were even just a few years ago, but that just makes them a bigger bargain today. 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. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. In some cases. To participate you must either login or register for an account. You should always, always test your transformer for safetybefore you set it up, andunplug it when youre not using it. These can all have uses for your layout. 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. Ive talked more about the Lionel RW and the LW as well. 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. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss.