What size Lionel transformer do I need? Starter sets almost always include a power supply along with the track and train. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! This will spread the load of your lighted passenger consist across the two transformers. There are many advantages in repairing or reconditioning your transformers. Price Received. That said, if youre uncomfortable fixing a transformer, I wont look down on you for buying one someone else fixed up. Over the years I have collected boxed(mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. The house's current is reduced to the required low voltage by Trainmaster Transformers. They are fun to have. They're controlled with a simple handheld remote control and run on easy-to-connect plastic track. Price Received. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. Used a 1033 for accessories and lights. My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? Transformer Sizing Calculator Alternating current (AC) is the preferred power for most O Gauge three-rail trains as well as some two-rail systems in smaller scales. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. Here are a few: --The Lionel Fastrack Book, by Robert Schleicher. It does run on conventional power but not great and no whistle or bell. Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. I know this has nothing to do with Mike's original problem but is more of a reflection on Trainman's reply. The best of the best Lionel trains are very valuable. $2799. 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. Because of this, like with lighting and accessories, your power supply and wiring for switch machines do not need to be as robust. Remember, the only silly question is the one that you did not ask. If you make a complete loop of 100 feet with good track joints, you'll have something like .1 ohm from the transformer to the farthest point, using the rule of thumb that most track is something like 16 AWG wire (.004 ohms per foot) and that there are two 50 foot tracks feeding the farthest point from two directions. 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. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. 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. 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. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. The customer will still need a step down transformer to get the 220V to 110V. The Lionel Multi-control 1033 is a 90 watt transformer produced from 1948 to 1956. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. Lionel made a lot of other transformers over the years. Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. The chances are that little power supply isn't going to keep the train running over a full mile, however. 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. 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. * NOTE: We do not recommend loading a transformer above 80% of its KVA rating. --The O Gauge Railroading Primer, by Christopher Ritchie. I cant see you needing more than a capacity of 5 amps. I've got around 320 ft of track between all of the mainline, sidings, etc and I don't have any problems running my engines anywhere on the layout. But a 12-gauge solid wire is one strand, while a 12-gauge stranded wire may be made up of more than a dozen much smaller individual strands spun together. Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). I thought an ENGINEER was the guy driving the train? Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; But Lionel now produces four Track Expansion Sets, which expand this basic loop into something more exciting. 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. 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. These sets use a remote control which talks directly to a receiver in the locomotive. With multiple switches, lights, power supplies and more all concentrated in a small space, color coding and neatness pay off. Here are a couple examples: As you can see, with a bit of experimentation and imagination, numerous different track layouts can be created. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your. As time goes on you can add higher wattage bricks one by one. Different wiring projects call for different standards. 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. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. They do not include a track or power supply, so you will need to buy both separately. Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. Lionel Trains: Value, History and What Collectors Should Know If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! Regardless of your scale, all model railroad switch machines fall into one of two categories, a slow-motion electric motor or a "twin coil" relay. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. 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. 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. For a classic setup of a single freight train running on a 48 (or smaller) sheet of plywood, a 90-wattLionel 1033 or 1044 is an excellent choice. Transformer Calculator KVA Calculator Full Load Amps Calculator As the train goes by, the door to the shed opens and a figure pops out, and once the train has passed the figure re-enters the building and the door shuts. I will make a note here. Although it will not have any impact on the performance of the wire within, choosing multiple colors of wire, and standardizing on a specific color for each function, will go a long way in making your wiring easier to install and easier to detect flaws later on. 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. QUOTE: by Skyray "Typical engineer--you need a technician. 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. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. These transformers are much cheaper than they were even just a few years ago, but that just makes them a bigger bargain today. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. Getting Started - 3 RAIL TRAINS Ill try to find a link to it for you. Sign-up for email today! The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. What does a Lionel transformer do? The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. Sell Your Trains Yourself At Train Shows. Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. 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. Dang, this math makes my head hurt. Twin coil machines have a higher current draw when in motion but are also much faster-acting than the motorized versions. The iconic and legendary 270-wattLionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. If you plan to just run MTH go with their DCS system if you plan to have a number of different engines or the MTH DCS Remote Commander which is limited to running only one engine at a time. The load voltage and load amps must be known to calculate KVA rating. Number 26 to 20 wire (depending on the length of your bus) will be sufficient for most applications. The polarities can be reversed to change the direction of the train. If youre comfortable doing some work yourself, you can buy a fixer-upper, and my informational links will tell you more about fixing one yourself. Number 24 to Number20 wire will all work with most layouts. Unless I'm all wet it sounded like there are somecompatibilityissues with certain locomotives versus manufacturer's transformer output wave forms. Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. With two switches, you can create an alternative route for your trains. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. If you have to ask,your needs are a lot more modest than that. The thing that eats current is a lot of light bulbs on the layout. Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. 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. 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. All about the Lionel ZW - The Silicon Underground 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. If you have a starter set and have had thoughts like this, youre not alone. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

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