Hi, I am new to this forum and have a question about the wiring on the AF8B transformer. Marklin is my favourite since I was a kid, long time ago, but I bought an AF Atlantic 565 along with wagons and rails on an auction in Gotheburg some years ago. Works fine, but the transformer needed new power cord which now has been changed. I then discovered a copper wire with a lose end. I took some pics but I cant find where to upload them. In front of the transformer you have the connections for the loc etc. On top there are two bulbs. Just below the second bulb there is a copper wire hanging down.
It woud have been much easier with a pic. Anyone out there that are familiar with this 8B and the wiring?
Regards H.
The 8B is a fairly common American Flyer transformer, I have one somewhere but itâs been a while since I worked on it.
Uploading pictures to the forum is relatively straightforward, there is a square-shaped icon in the post editor that shows a sort of âpictureâ, clicking on this will pull up files from your computer. Then you can select the image file you want to put into the post.
You can also âdrag and dropâ images from your computer files into the post editor.
Make sure your curser is located where you want the image to be in your post.
A few pictures would help a lot in guiding you through re-connecting your wire!
Your username and text suggests that youâre located in Norway. Note that the 8B was designed for 50hz, 110 volt operation. While it will work largely as intended on the present US household current of 60hz, 120 volts, a web search tells me that Norway uses 50hz 230. If you plugged this transformer directly into the wall, you would probably destroy it. Märklin transformers should provide adequate operating voltage for a 565 Atlantic, with the key difference being that it will probably draw more current than a Märklin HO locomotive, and American Flyer trains reverse by current interruption (ie cutting power to the track) rather than the âswitchingâ voltage used to reverse Märklin trains. Bringing the throttle to zero, and then back up again should be all you need to do to reverse an American Flyer model.
-El
In 1937 American Flyer made the 100W 1283 transformer. In 1938 after the acquisition by Gilbert, the #8 transformer was cataloged as an update of the 1283. All the Gilbert transformers were designed for 60Hz with the exception of a few 25Hz designs such as the 5A and 6A. The updated 8B was cataloged in 1940, and with several updates was cataloged through 1952. All were 60Hz designs.
In parallel with this Gilbert had an Export Division that made uncataloged items for sales outside the US. Below is a picture of an Export Division 8B transformer. Note the label. If the OP purchased his 8B outside the US, he may have this version.
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So, I found the upload button and hope the pics are ok. Here we have as you said 220/230 volt, but I use an adapter transforming the currency down to 110v. Works fine. The AF8B has two bulbs for probably power on and the other for the reset buttton or errors/shorts in the system. Only the on/off button lights up and the other doesn`t work probably because of the copper wire with a lose end. The Marklin transformer are up to 16v. is that ok to use?
Regards H.
American Flyer trains normally run on 7-15 volts, some of the Gilbert transformers can go as high as 17. So yes, 16 volts should be adequate.
The 8B is normally only supposed to have the green âpilotâ light on, to indicate the transformer has power. The red light normally only turns on when the circuit breaker trips. Iâm not 100% sure from this pic alone where the loose wire goes, but I would check around the terminals for any signs of a broken connection there.
@AmFlyerTom thanks for the catch on the 50/60hz. I somehow had it in my head the US was using 50hz at the time. I think part of what threw me off is the last transformer I was working on was a c. 1950s/60s Märklin transformer made for the export market, and it was rated at 50hz 110v. Märklin must have figured the 50/60hz difference was negligible enough that they didnât need to change their design to suit 60hz.
-El
Thank you for the info
The bulb on the left in your picture is the green power on indicator. The bulb on the right is the red short circuit/breaker open indicator. Gilbert transformer breakers are always wired between the Base Post and one end of the secondary winding. The red open breaker light is wired across the breaker. The loose wire should connect to either the Base Post side of the breaker or the secondary winding side, depending on which wire it is. Look to see where the other wire from the bulb socket is connected.
The button is just a mechanical device to physically reset a tripped breaker.
Some transformers have power on/off switches and direction control buttons as well. I see no internal evidence yours has those items.
HI, MY VERSION OF THE 8b IS THE AMERICAN RATED FOR 110V. LABEL SAYS UPTO 115V. THE SET I HAVE WAS SENT FROM THE US (ILL) TO SWEDEN JUST BEFORE OR AFTER THE WW2. PROBABLY AFTER AS I GUESS THE POST SYSTEM DID NOT WORK VERY WELL AT THAT TIME.
IT IS JUST NICE TO HAVE THIS OLD SET MADE FROM METAL AND NOT PLASTIC. AND THAT IT WORKS IS JUST GREAT.
REGARDS H.
There is one red and one orange bulb indicator. Thank you for the wiring info. I now know where to look.
Regards
Haakon
Your 8B has the UL stamp on it (partially visible) so it was intended for US sale. Note the export model I posted does not have a UL stamp.
I have an older version stored in a box in my basement. Mine has a different speed control on top and no silver button like the one in your photo.
Rich