Cleaning up coils on postwar transformers?

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

My KW transformer is in pretty good shape now.

Is there recommended method for cleaning the coils on KW and ZWs to keep them in good operating condition?

Thanks,
Birds

2

I wipe them off with a paper towel when I’m working on them; but that’s just to keep my hands and clothes clean. I don’t think they really mind having the carbon dust on them. The wires are insulated except on the surface where the wipers move. I can’t imagine enough of its accumulating to cause a short circuit that wouldn’t burn out quickly or be knocked off by the next pass of the wiper.

There was an item long ago in CTT about a dentist who replaced his ZW’s carbon rollers with gold (which he of course worked with) to keep them from getting hot. I went so far as to call him up to see whether I could buy some from him. (He wasn’t interested; and the price would have been extremely high anyway.) After thinking about it, I realized that carbon is better anyway. It provides enough resistance between two turns of the coil that it might be bridging so that the roller, not the wire, heats up. The gold would make such a good connection that it would stay cool–but the transformer would then take the heat.

3

I use CRC 2-26 electrical cleaner, and a soft tooth brush. Be sure to let it dry before plugging in the unit. For stubborn places a wooden toopick and a gentle touch. I’ve found it makes a big difference.
Jim

4

Thanks guys!

Birds