In the discussions about transformers, I’m a little confused. Can’t find a powermax xformer on Lionel’s site, but a manual I found of one online looks exactly like a CW-80. Are they the same thing or am I missing something? Some clarity appreciated.
Dan
The Powermax seems to be a stripped-down CW80. In particular, it lacks the accessory output, thus sidestepping the common-terminal problem of the CW80. Do I recall correctly that it also lacks the fan?
Here is a forum topic about it:
About half the power of CW-80 and no fan.Less Assesory posts. Basic starter set transformer IMO. I had one fail out of the box and was replaced by Lionel with a CW-80 [:D]
Seems odd they didn’t call it a “CW40”. PowerMax seems like something that should have 300+ watts. It’s a shame so many CW80’s had problems. I was lucky…the first 2 I bought were problem free, and they are still in use powering 2 loops of TMCC operation on my small layout. Bought 3 more since then, for $35-$40. each ( for my 2 Christmas layouts and Grandson’s carpet layout), and they, also, are working fine.
They DO need a lighted car on the track for a conventional reversing unit to work, and some people don’t like the “power ramp-up” feature (although it may save some traction tires from flying off due to jack-rabbit starts). I like the handle control better than the ones on my KW. But, to each, their own. Joe
Or a CW-30 - it’s rated output is 30 watts, less than half due to the lack of a fan to dissipate heat off the 1 triac(as opposed to the fan cooled two triacs in the CW-80).
Rob