what size lionel transformer do i need

All of the transformers that have more than 90 Watts are in great demand today as more collectors are operating retro-layouts. 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. They give a true 180 watts and have excellent electronic breakers. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading. A starter set is the best way to start with the train hobby. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. 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. Should it be a Lionel or should it be an MTH with command control? 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. They run on O Gauge track, but they are not exact O Scale cars. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The first is the traditional or classic size, which are the cars that match starter sets. 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. 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. First, a few general notes about choosing wire. Not really a how-to-build-a-layout book, but it is a good general introduction to the hobby full of interesting stuff. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. If you need a device that converts from different voltages so it can power another device, then a transformer will fulfill that role perfectly. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. This thing has more power then I will ever need. Our community is FREE to join. The 110-wattLionel RW is a cheap option, and the 125-watt LW, while a bit more expensive, gives a bit more power. A rule of thumb from the elders, (I had to go to the mountain top for this one), Add 2 more watts for Spankybird's fun-filled layout! Lionel Model Railroad and Train Transformers Lionel Model Railroad and Train Transformers Best Selling Lionel 1908080 O Gauge CW80 Transformers - Black (4) $147.85 New $110.00 Used Lionel Legacy Powermaster Lnl637146 (13) $134.99 New $90.00 Used Lionel 634120 TMCC Direct Lock-On Transformer - Silver (21) $58.99 New $49.99 Used Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. JavaScript is disabled. Wire Gauge Standards for Model Train Layouts - The Spruce Crafts THE BASICS "O", "S", "HO". 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. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your. They're controlled with a simple handheld remote control and run on easy-to-connect plastic track. Are you running command or conventional? These sets use a remote control which talks directly to a receiver in the locomotive. Lionel and other train manufacturers have worked hard to make adding to a set easy, affordable, and fun. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. 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. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. I run an MTH 4-6-2 PS-1 pulling five Madisons on about fifty feet of track and the transformer I am using (Z-4000) has a digital amp readout. Safety first. What do I need to do that with? This works for command control layouts too, since those parked trains are still drawing some current. Number 26 to 20 wire (depending on the length of your bus) will be sufficient for most applications. Understanding the difference is important in getting the right power supply for your needs. If youre buying a transformer, youll be able to easily find one that a professional refurbished and upgraded with the links I provide below. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. RemembertheVeterans. 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. In the middle range, Lionel made a lot of other transformers. 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. 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. And if the power supply does fail, it is best not to repair it on your own. 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. Ran 6 motors [MPC's]. When running a mixed bag train show with new and old trains of mixed types such as Loinel and MTH which is better? Ive talked more about the Lionel RW and the LW as well. Our community is FREE to join. An Essential Guide for Toy Train Enthusiasts! LGB throttles 51070, 52120 and 52121 will all work with the 50061 and other LGB transformers. This is a old school approach for sizing cables & transformers or appliances in the electrical trade, & has never let us down. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. And again regardless of scale or manufacturer, switch machines of these two types will have similar needs and performance. This is why my wife loves me so. The iconic and legendary 270-wattLionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. If you are wiring with a common rail for your blocks, then keeping the common rail the same color all the time while changing the color for the other rail in each block is also an option. It is best to use at least two different colors for your track wiring (one for each rail). Do not use this device if water is present. To participate you must either login or register for an account. We're sorry. Effort. I can remember a time when a Lionel ZW would set you back $275. 24v, 120v, 208v, 240v, 480v, and 600v). Transformers are sized by determining the total load required (in amps). Find 500+ popular train rides, museums, and railroad vacation destinations in the U.S and Canada! Just not quite as much. Lionel 1033 Transformer Renovation Part I - YouTube 6 Best Transformer For Ho Trains - LEDS.CC In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. The Lionel 1033 can be used for small or medium-sized layouts. Here at Trainz, we carry all of the products you will need to go from a starter set to a miniature railroad empire. I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. Expanding Your Lionel Starter Set - Trainz M3103. The smallest wire you can work with will be more than sufficient. Beginners Ask Trains New trains; old transformers. Get 20 articles about compact layouts and how to build them. Then the K's will do siding and switching yard duty. Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. 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. There have been issues with chopped waveform transformers, i.e. Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. If you add feeders to the track at the farthest point (remember to get the same wire to the same rails) you will not slow down at the farthest point. By continuing to use this site, you indicate you accept these terms. If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. What does a Lionel transformer do? Ive written more about the Lionel ZW here. Used 1033's for sidings and the switching yard its self. Digital command control systems (DCC) uses digital information to control the electrical power to the train. Today Lionel includes the same basic track oval in all starter sets8 36-inch diameter curve sections, 3 10 straight track sections, and 1 10 straight terminal section, which create this layout: Until recently, to add to this layout, you would need to buy separate straight, curved, and other track sections and wing it in creating a larger setup. A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW. Problem with Rail King Protocol Sounds reversing unit, My D-190 Back in Action After Move to to NC, Caboose Identification - late era vintage, Continuing Saga Newtown Hardwrare House WIP. It's expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. Plan on using the KW's for the big layout and 1033's like I did before. Members enjoy 15% off any purchase in our store. 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. I paid $75 + shipping for mine a year ago. This drawing illustrates all of the key functionality of a Lionel KW transformer. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. It is important to remember that the real test of the power supply is the load you'll place on it. I'm sure I'll need more help along the way, so I'll be checking back in with more silly questions! Power the odd blocks with the other transformer. Most command systems use a constant AC power supply, and trains are controlled by impulses sent through the rails. My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? Price Received. These can all have uses for your layout. A: According to Lionel's head of customer service, on the underside of their CW80 transformers, starting in late 2009, the vendor applied a sticker that states "QC50" on it. Just not quite as much. --I need a station for the train to stop at. Ok our layout is 10 x 20 = 200 sq ft x 2 = 400 watts. 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 load voltage and load amps must be known to calculate KVA rating. The best of the best Lionel trains are very valuable. Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. All about the Lionel ZW - The Silicon Underground Power Conversion for Lionel Trains and O-Gauge - KCC Scientific 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. If you found this post informative or helpful, please share it! Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. 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. Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following, $12.00 per 12 Months (plus tax if applicable). Different wiring projects call for different standards. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. 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). The transformer included with your starter set should be adequate to handle a modest expansion of your train set discussed above. 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. PDF Lionel CW-80 Transformer Owner's Manual - thomconte.com

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