what size lionel transformer do i need

As an example, look at these two cars closely: While both are gondola cars and run on O Gauge track, note how the car on the left is much longer than the one on the right. These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. 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. The multi-conductor wire is also available. My question is.how big of a transformer will I need to power this thing? The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. Use this index to see additional details about the individual transformers issued by Lionel during the post-war period. Tech Support for the OGR Forum (NOT FOR TRAINS), PRR fellas!lets build an S2!! David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? It does not work with O27. It's expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. Some people even find it fun. 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. This drawing illustrates all of the key functionality of a Lionel KW transformer. * NOTE: We do not recommend loading a transformer above 80% of its KVA rating. All Lionel transformer comparisons should include the common 1033, RW, LW, KW and ZW transformers. If you like fixing things, fixing an old transformer is rewarding. Get 20 articles about compact layouts and how to build them. Lots of good information for building any size O Gauge layout. Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. 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? Here are some simple definitions for these electrical terms: Most power supplies will be labeled as to the scales they are meant to handle. Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. 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. (Electrical Contractor with dear old Dad for 30 years) Regards Steve. HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! Lionel and other train manufacturers have worked hard to make adding to a set easy, affordable, and fun. A large number of the Lionel Collectors Club UK use this set up to good effect. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. But if you already have a 1034 and dont need a whistle button, go ahead and use it. 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. Just not quite as much. View More! When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. And of course, Lionel also makes lots of figures to populate your town. This would be more than enough for any single train and a few accessories. They do not include a track or power supply, so you will need to buy both separately. Lionel Ready-to-Play is a large sized train that's made to be affordable and easy-to-use for both kids and adults alike. Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. Used 1033's for sidings and the switching yard its self. 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. Of course, the answer to that question depends on many things. Like all electronic products, you want to make sure your power supplies are rated by the appropriate body for your country (UL for example). 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 Power the odd blocks with the other transformer. Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. 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! I have had the same problem. For a 300W set up this will cost you about 100. Are you looking for a product or serviceif so, then read this BEFORE you post! Most recommend the TPCs over the powermasters The CW 80 will work to begin with. Please see our article on Fastrack here for more information. Sell Your Trains Through an Online Auction Service. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. Professionals Need: Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime: Prime Video Direct Check out my O scale layout progress at MTF, does track consume power? Price Received. That could also be the reason the other transformers don't work. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. (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. Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. I justhave a very basic 027 set (guessin' mid 80's?). Like tankist stated.It's only running multiple engines that I run into issues. 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. 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. Lionels HO Gauge items are back! If you plan to add a second loop for another train in the near future, the 14198 would be a wise investment. 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. I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; The locomotives are battery-powered and made of durable plastic. Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell these cars apart, and the key is the numbers Lionel assigns to them. 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. The thing that eats current is a lot of light bulbs on the layout. Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. 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. Ill try to find a link to it for you. 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. 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. Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in. It is not uncommon to see 50-year-old transformers still going strong on a model railroad. The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. Classic Toy Trains magazine offers information about toy trains operating and collecting, toy train product news and reviews, toy train layout tips, toy train layout designs and track plans, and more. I know this has nothing to do with Mike's original problem but is more of a reflection on Trainman's reply. 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. This thing has more power then I will ever need. 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. Sell Your Trains Yourself At Train Shows. Price Received. Keep the power supplies in an area where they get plenty of air circulation to prevent overheating. But were talking the trains that are in the absolute best condition and might not have ever run on the track. To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. Pretty much suffered the same fate, too. First, a few general notes about choosing wire. Now, I diconnected that old dinosaur and connected two separate smaller ones which weren't powerful enough to run my Amtrack MTH trains. And that means theyre affordable. 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. 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. Get updates and special offers via email from Trains.com brands! The smallest wire you can work with will be more than sufficient. Number 24 to Number20 wire will all work with most layouts. My current layout uses about 28 sections of track (Lionel o-27). But Lionel now produces four Track Expansion Sets, which expand this basic loop into something more exciting. 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. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. It states: 1.25 amps for each motor, 0.2 amps for each bulb. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. Lionel Rolling Stock Identification Guide. Good choices are the Lionel 32923 Accessory Transformer, or another 80-watt transformer like the one included in your set, #14198. 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. 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! The circuit breaker should trip with a click and the transformer should go dead. Length of track or type of track doesn't (or shouldn't) matter. 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. If you have time, check out the "Coffee Pot". The good news is, Lionel made a lot of good transformers over the years. 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. It is much easier to be ready ahead of time then to have to do some changes afterwards. Price Received. I have a 3amp, 40watt transformer. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content. I have a post war ZW and a KW and a Z, all three are good transformers, just meant for differant needs. A lot of people are using the MTH Z1000's who have smaller layouts while others have moved up to the MTH Z4000. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). Ive talked more about the KW here. If your layout is bigger than 48, you may actually find trains run a bit better with a KW than with a smaller transformer. Some systems will use bluetooth technology enabling you to control the trains with your tablet or cell phone. TRANSFORMERS ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. 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. Big Ed Railroad Tycoon Understanding the difference is important in getting the right power supply for your needs. Past,presentand future. 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. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. This conserves the trains' power supply for their needs and makes troubleshooting much easier. A starter set is the best way to start with the train hobby. 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. Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 1901-2022. A. The larger wire is usually more expensive and more challenging to work with. 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.

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