Engines and Transformers again

Bob is an electrical expert. Great guy. His reply was not in question. The “first” reply.

Chief, I reread this stuff and do not understand what you are disagreeing with. Am I missing something?

Jack

The trick is to power the switches with constant voltage from a separate transformer. That way you have maximum available power from the transformer controlling the track and can also set the transformer controlling the switches to maximum efficiency. I had a separate KW just for switch power and never had a problem running 17 0-22s. Track power was from 2 Postwar ZWs and completely independent; used only for running trains.

Back2Trains is correct in that frequently there is a significant discrepancy in the amount of “juice” required to run old switches and that required to run modern, high-efficiency locomotives. That reflects my experience exactly. However, it does not speak to coaldust’s original question.

First, the forum needs to know what version of the CW80 is being used. This can be ascertained from the date of manufacture (often following “Made in China”) on the bottom of the device – either as a four digit numeral, or a five-character alphanumeric. Please post that date.

Second, you might try a couple of tests utilizing a voltmeter. (Your statement “…with the engine running at basically the same speed…” needs to be quantified more precisely. Before the forum can diagnose why the transformers are performing so different, it must be absolutely clear that they actually are performing differently – within the designed operational range of each device.

First, make sure that the transformer being tested is the only one with any connection to the layout. Also, be certain that none of the other terminals of the transformer is connected to anything while the tests are in progress.

First test the switches with no other draw on the transformer. Then test the combination of the loco and the switches. In every case, determine what voltage is required for the switches to operate satisfactorily. With the CW80 (only) use the conversion-chart__*__ posted elsewhere on this forum by lionelsoni (Bob Nelson) to make for a reasonably accurate comparison.

Keep precise notes on your observations and let the forum know the results. Then maybe someone can come up with an answer to your question.

* Lionelsoni’s Voltage Conversion Chart: The first column (“meter”) is the reading, in volts,