what size lionel transformer do i needwhat size lionel transformer do i need

It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. What type is your old transformer? A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. It can be a great secondary power supply for lighted buildings, signals, and other accessories. Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. 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 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. 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. If you have a starter set and have had thoughts like this, youre not alone. 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. Just not quite as much. This signifies compatibility with 50 Hertz power. The motor takes electricity through a small wire attached to a metal wheel that rests on the middle rail underneath. Apparently there is a difference between old conventional and new conventional power. Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; 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. 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . I will make a note here. The farther from the transformer the more resistance in the rails and your engine will slow down. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. If your going to run anything more that what came with the set then you should probably upgrade to something a little bigger. http://www.lccuk.org.uk/lccuk Regards Nick Save Reply Quote N Nick12DMC Registered Forgot about light bulbs since I don't got some yet. Our community is FREE to join. Like all electronic products, you want to make sure your power supplies are rated by the appropriate body for your country (UL for example). Is there anyway of saying how much track it will power? To participate you must either login or register for an account. Many manufacturers assemble cases with special screws to prevent access to the inside and accidental shock. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. Transformer for Lionel that works in AUSTRALIA 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. 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. Sell Your Trains Through an Online Auction Service. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell these cars apart, and the key is the numbers Lionel assigns to them. Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! Understanding the difference is important in getting the right power supply for your needs. I cant see you needing more than a capacity of 5 amps. Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. 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. The two types of cars will connect together just fine, but when side-by-side in a train, they may look a bit odd. Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! As your layout grows so, too, will its power demand. I'll take this information and run with it to help get me started. For more realistic operation, you need some kind of speed control (throttle) between the 10340 Automatic Reversing Unit and your 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. The preferred choice for wiring control panels is telephone or telecommunications wire. What size Lionel transformer do I need? Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. In most cases, because we are dealing with relatively low voltage and amperage and in a normally stable temperature and humidity climates, our wiring does not require any extra insulation. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. But if you already have a 1034 and dont need a whistle button, go ahead and use it. June 5, 2022; cleveland open chess 2021; mexican martial arts xilam When you get DCS, keep the blocks and run the 2 sets off 2 Fixed channels out. 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. The transition section (#12040) allows you to connect conventional O Gauge track to FasTrack. Lots of good tips for building a layout from two of the most experienced people in the hobby. Transformer capacity is rated in KVA (kilo-volt-amperes). Because the runs are short and power demands so low, this fine wire poses no safety threat. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. 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. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. For a 300W set up this will cost you about 100. Its a bargain at that price. --Build a Better Toy Train Layout, by John Grams and Dick Christianson. 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. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, Calculating transformer size for layout size. Ive written more about the Lionel ZW here. Then power every other one with one of your smaller transformers. Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading. Sell Your Trains Using a Live Auction House. As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. "What size wire should I use?" In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. My current layout uses about 28 sections of track (Lionel o-27). 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 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. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. Mint-in-box examples of vintage Lionel trains are still valuable and will continue to appreciate in value over time, because there are so few of them. Also, you must have a built-in circuit breaker to prevent a short circuit from causing permanent damage to the power supply or the trains. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. 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. 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. You must be signed in to continue. 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in. I didnt mention the 1034 above because its easier to find a 1033. Big Ed Railroad Tycoon I am currently running about 40 bulbs, which at 0.1 A each total 4 amps! 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). 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. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. 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. Mike to the forum. 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! How to correctly size a transformer | Consulting - Specifying Engineer Effort. Lionel Electric Toy Train Transformer Identification Guide In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following, $12.00 per 12 Months (plus tax if applicable). This set also includes an uncoupling track section, which will disconnect cars from one another at the touch of a button, and a bumper, which keeps cars from rolling off the end of the track. 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. I went to mth Z1000, jason's train shop has the best price's I have seen for these. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). It is 5" long. 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. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. That means there are lots of them. You can also minimize voltage drop at the rail joints by soldering the rails together. The customer will still need a step down transformer to get the 220V to 110V. Tales From Harmon Shops, WTB: LIONEL AUTRORACKS SPECIFICALLY SOUTHERN,GRAND TRUNK,BNSF,FERROMEX. This tool will allow you calculate the KVA that you need. PDF Lionel CW-80 Transformer Owner's Manual - thomconte.com By only supplying power to the trains that need it, you can greatly reduce your needs. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. In either case, however, voltage and amperage draw is low and peak for only brief periods. If you found this post informative or helpful, please share it! Dave: That certainly qualifies, don't forget the anti-gun lobbyist with the picket sign's. 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. Amperes = VA/Secondary Volts or 40VA/28V = 1.43 amperes. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. 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 (8 lights X 20 watts = 160 watts). Transformer Calculator KVA Calculator Full Load Amps Calculator What gauge wire is used for Lionel trains? - Sage-Advices Classic cars have a 5 or 6 as their second digit [25051, 16686, etc]. Lionel 1033 Transformer Renovation Part I - YouTube When running a mixed bag train show with new and old trains of mixed types such as Loinel and MTH which is better? Retrofitting a subway line into existing benchwork - and are subway sets still being made? That's about enough to run a single locomotive and perhaps power a few lighted accessories or passenger cars. If you plan to add a second loop for another train in the near future, the 14198 would be a wise investment. I'm not sure I completely understand your question. Here are a couple examples: As you can see, with a bit of experimentation and imagination, numerous different track layouts can be created. 7 Best Transformer For Model Railway - LEDS.CC