what size lionel transformer do i need

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. Are you looking for a product or serviceif so, then read this BEFORE you post! I had 3 lionel cw80's and two quit working. Lionel 1033 90 watt Transformer Postwar from 1950s-60s Whistle, Direction. Lots of good information for building any size O Gauge layout. Checklist Transformer Size Calculator When sizing a transformer, you need to know the kilovolt-amps (KVA) that your machine requires. Wire gauges are coded by their size. Used a 1033 for accessories and lights. But it is important to take a close look at the cars to make sure that they are a good match for your set. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. Ran 6 motors [MPC's]. The choice of a control system is somewhat, but not necessarily, dependent on which manufacturers engines you prefer or have the most of. 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. Ive written more about the Lionel ZW here. Connecticut Valley Railroad -- A Branch of the New York, New Haven, And Hartford. Transformers are designed to fail if a short in the secondary or control side occurs. 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. I'm sure I'll need more help along the way, so I'll be checking back in with more silly questions! 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). The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. Tales From Harmon Shops, WTB: LIONEL AUTRORACKS SPECIFICALLY SOUTHERN,GRAND TRUNK,BNSF,FERROMEX. Ive talked about why here. (Use buss/feeder lines to distribute power.) And that means theyre affordable. 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! The fraction of your transformer's power lost in the track will therefore be well under 10 percent, since it is proportional to the voltage drop. The motor takes electricity through a small wire attached to a metal wheel that rests on the middle rail underneath. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. They run on O Gauge track, but they are not exact O Scale cars. The CW-80 is a nice little transformer, has accessory output as well,but as you have stated you will outgrow the CW-80 pretty quick. The iconic and legendary 270-wattLionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. 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. Lest I offend, in another plane of existence I was an electronics tech. Lionel introduced a few LionChief Plus 2.0 starter sets in 2022. And of course, Lionel also makes lots of figures to populate your town. 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. Some DCC systems also recommend solid wire for certain applications. Remember, the only silly question is the one that you did not ask. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. --The O Gauge Railroading Primer, by Christopher Ritchie. 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. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. That could also be the reason the other transformers don't work. Should it be a Lionel or should it be an MTH with command control? This works for command control layouts too, since those parked trains are still drawing some current. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Smaller feeder wires are used to bridge the small gap from the bus to the track. With two switches, you can create an alternative route for your trains. Sign-up for email today! By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Note that when working with specific products, manufacturers will often recommend a wire size and type. 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. A model railroad train set designed for use in the United States will have a 115V AC 60Hz power requirement. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. Actually it was a train show with varied trains of all different eras being run I have mostly MTH trains though and they wouldn't run because the transformer that was running wasn't powerful enough to cycle through my MTH trainsounds. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. Different wiring projects call for different standards. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. I know my train club had an issue with conventional locomotives not running properly on a layout with DCS and TMCC and apparently solved it by replacing a Lionel transformer with an MRC transformer that puts out a pure sine wave. There are also numerous static accessories that do not operate but add visual interest to your layout, such as the #24219 girder bridge. It is 5" long. Get 20 articles about compact layouts and how to build them. 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. Our transformer sizing calculator allows you to obtain the minimum single or three-phase transformer size required based on the load you need to power. 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. 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 Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. --Build a Better Toy Train Layout, by John Grams and Dick Christianson. http://www.lccuk.org.uk/lccuk Regards Nick Save Reply Quote N Nick12DMC Registered properly wired transformer can handle any amount of track. 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. As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. Number 26 to 20 wire (depending on the length of your bus) will be sufficient for most applications. Plan on using the KW's for the big layout and 1033's like I did before. The other type of cars are the Scale cars, which are exact or near-exact replicas of actual freight cars. I have noticed that my old transformers do not work well or not work at all with newer electronic whistle tenders. Anyway if it takes me 100 years to finish this thing one thing is for sure I will not have to worry about powering anything and everything. what size lionel transformer do i need. 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. 10 Easy Ways to Improve a Christmas Train Display, Compatibility of Different Model Train Brands, How to Build and Wire Reverse Loops for Model Trains, Wiring a Model Railroad for Block Operation, Wire Gauge Standards for Model Train Layouts, Model Train Track Grades and Maximum Grade Issues. (10 lights X . Ill try to find a link to it for you. Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. 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. Transformer capacity is rated in KVA (kilo-volt-amperes). Click here to learn about the Unlimited Membership. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. The wire can also be purchased as solid or stranded. 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. A lot of people are using the MTH Z1000's who have smaller layouts while others have moved up to the MTH Z4000. Any of the below transformers from M.T.H. 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. Do not operate the CW-80 Transformer with a damaged cord, plug, or case. And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. Most feeders will be only a few inches long so the smaller diameter wire will not be a problem. Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. If youre buying a transformer, youll be able to easily find one that a professional refurbished and upgraded with the links I provide below. 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. Traditionally, Lionel trains run on AC but there are exceptions. Like all electronic products, you want to make sure your power supplies are rated by the appropriate body for your country (UL for example). Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. Reverse the above if planning to run mostly Lionel and go with the Lionel command system, either the full Legacy system or the upcoming CAB-1L and just add a Track Power Controller and a cable to run most MTH engines in conventional with the Lionel systems. Sell Your Trains Using a Live Auction House. Trainz carries a variety of books that build upon the information listed above. Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. If you like, tell us more about yourself. 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. A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW. View More! A Passenger consist can easily use more power than the engine. Length of track or type of track doesn't (or shouldn't) matter. I recently acquired a beautiful Lionel NH Alco 420. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. Use the CW-80 Transformer only for its intended purpose. Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. These bus wires are often more important than the size of the power supply itself in getting good results. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. The typ miniature incandecents we use average about 100 ma of current each. 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. The Lionel Track & Power catalog is BACK with the latest information for more ways to make your layout even bigger, better and more powerful! Its a bargain at that price. Like command control, these trains still require a constant voltage to the rails. 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. The modern equivalent is the Lionel CW-80, but frankly I like the old ones better. 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. If your track joints aren't near perfect or if you should want to split that loop into two blocks, you'll double the voltage drop. 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]. With multiple switches, lights, power supplies and more all concentrated in a small space, color coding and neatness pay off. its the amount of engines you need to worry about, I'm currently running my entire layout on a single DC power supply that came with an Athearn engine/track set. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. 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.

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