Does everyone who owns a CW80 (old or revised version) realize that the accessory posts can be re-programmed to a different power output than the one set at the factory? In fact, you can re-set them to whatever power level makes your accessory run at its best.
You can set lights to the illumination level that you like best; ensure that dump cars operate at the correct level of “oomph,” or that your coal loader doesn’t throw coal all over the layout, etc., etc. The new setting will stay where you put it unless and until you change it once again.
bf - hate to say this - but it is in the manual - oops - I forgot - we are MEN [oX)] and we do not read instructions [B)].
Another neat feature of the CW is the ramp up of the voltage after you push the direction button so you do not get a hard restart in the opposite direction.
I wouldn’t have bothered to post it if someone hadn’t asked.
The instructions for the re-programming operation in the Owner’s Manual are actually pretty good except that the online ones leave out the most helpful first step: “Connect the accessory and watch it as you re-program the accessory posts.”
Am I making this up? Well, the instructions have been corrected to include this step in the manual that comes with the Hogwarts Express set (at least) but I believe the ones for the CW80 online at the www.lionel.com site still do not make it clear. Evidently, quite a few people didn’t get a CW80 operator’s manual when they got their transformer from eBay – or wherever.
I bought a total of 3 none-set, new in box, CW80’s, from train dealers (not eBay), over a 2 year time-span…and None came with a maual. Had to get one on-line. The “accessory setting” really came in handy when setting the speed for some K-Line animations. Joe
Wow, thanks for this reference - it is very helpful!! Joe, me too! My Thomas set didn’t come with a manual for the transformer. I didn’t even know there was one. I do love this (newer) CW80 though.
Thanks for the support. I thought there must be a few folks out there in the silent majority for whom my post would be helpful. Be mindful of one thing, though. The online Manuals for the CW80 (yes, there are two of them) are both wrong in the hook-up section on p.5 or thereabouts. Among other things, the illustration contradicts the text. Believe it or not, you can get better info on this forum than from Lionel – if you can sort the wheat from the chaff.
With any CW80, the first thing you need to determine is which are the COMMON posts. Once you get that right, and connect them to the OUTSIDE rails, everything else will fall into place.
Well, between this and the other two threads about CW80’s over the last day or so, I’ve said about all I have to say about the CW80 – or anything else for that matter. Since seeing my screen name pop up causes so many of you to clench your hair, I think I’ll give it a rest for a while. (We’ll see just how long that lasts.)
Speaking of which, I finally discovered the perfect thing to give up for Lent: my New Year’s Resolutions!
Happy New Year and Hasta Banana to one and (almost) all!
(For those few of you who take yourselves sooooooooo seriously, that’s Spanish for "Don’t slip on any banana peels!)
Here is the feature that most of the older CW-80’s are best at: Paper weight! The PE set CW-80 is still chugging, as is the one in the Thomas the tank engine set, but the another one bit the dust: the fan quit. It still outputs power, but without the fan, I am hesitant to use it.
When I recently called Lionel about a dead CW-80, I asked the rep if he wanted me to send the defective one back to Lionel. He told me it wasn’t necessary and to use it as a paperweight!