One of several interesting and helpful February CTT articles which caught my attention:
Bob Keller offers sort of a “Consumer Reports Catalog” covering all currently available AC Toy Train Transformers. The article provides excellent guidance for selecting a power supply whether for 30 watts accessory use or 180 watts railpower.[180 watts per throttle is the maximum output available on any transformer unless one parallels PowerHouses via a TPC linkage].
Bob will get some argument from COF’s* with his comment that, “There is no reason other than nostalgia to be using a 60-year-old transformer”[using “nostalgia” to to shroud his disparagement of the famous pw ZW and its smaller brethen–sneaky[swg]!]. In fact a reconditioned pw ZW remains the bulletproof, safe and reliable 180 watt variable power supply it was 60 years ago and at $100-$125 is a good buy when considering cost per watt output.
Nevertheless a good and helpful article which attracted me because it has a lot of pictures!
COF: cranky or crotchety or contrary ole O-gauge fart!
I thought the article was done rather well about the new transformers. Only thing is that I like the post war transformers better.
Hey Jim, why a KW and not a ZW? The ZW has four outputs and two whistle controls, the KW has two variable outputs and a double whistle controller(double because you can only do one whistle at a time). The KW also has three fixed voltage outputs for accessories.
In my opion I like the post war ZW better than the KW, reason the controls are easier to use. I have both the post war ZW & KW and a Z transformer.
Why not use the older post war ZW’s & KW’s if they are in good shape? I would rather spend my train dollars on new locos or track than new transformers. Also I put in circuit breakers in line with the outputs on the post war ZW and can have modern day protection for about $50.00 for a circuit breaker bank that has four(4) breakers in it. No need to spend almost $500.00 for a new transformer just for circuit breaker protection.
It’s funny how this just came out. I am running a KW for the Polar Express and the CW for the trolley. The B side is not working, soooo…
Anyhow, I’ve found the the Polar runs up the tresles much better with the KW than the CW. That would be the KW on the 20v posts. Even ran well on full throttle on the 14v post. Don’t get me wrong, I really like my CW, but that KW runs the PE much better than the CW does.
After Christmas, I will be checking out the KW to make it better and have all the posts working. The new stuff is great, but the old technology…you just can’t beat it.
Very similar experience with my boys’ PE: the CW-80 doesn’t give it the Ummpphhh that the KW does. (Interestingly, I also have the same problem with my KW.)
I’m working at a disadvantage in that I haven’t seen the actual chart; but are you certain it shouldn’t read 18 volts and 180 volt-amps, aka watts, more or less? As in 18 volts times 10 amps equals 180 volt-amps, or approximately 180 watts. Am I wrong?
Good point Jim. I kinda thought that’s what it was. Either that or the wattage/amperage was more. I definitly have to get this this back together to it works better. I picked it up from a local guy for $50. A great deal I think.
I’m wondering, however, if the KW is pure sine, would the ZW from the same era also be pure sine? I’m getting my Dad’s at some point, just would like to know.
Also, since we’re all on this topic, the ZW has really seen NO action since 1970. The cord is pliable and has no issues. Should this thing power up ok or is there something I should be careful/wary of? I’ll see it again next month…[swg]
I’ve had the same experiences with my old Lionel 1033 transformer. You just can’t beat a pure sine wave for operating conventional locomotives (and motorized accessories for that matter). Lionel doesn’t seem to give a rat’s behind, though. I think all of their current transformers produce a “chopped” sine wave. That’s why I won’t buy them. [|(]
When I do finally get my permanent layout built, I’m going with MTH’s Z-4000 which does produce a pure sine wave.
If the cord is in good shape, and the posts are tight, I guess the only other thing that you need to be careful of is the lack of a fast-blowing circuit breaker. The rollers and whistle controls might need servicing. Jim Barrett has a video that shows how to tune up a ZW and it really makes it look easy. Even I could do it!
Try the online forum associated with O-gauge Railroading magazine. Jim Barrett is their repair and maintenance guru. He also did a two-part series on the subject in the OGR magazine a while back.
Interesting to see that Keller thought so highly of the MRC Pure Power Dual unit. We have one, and I do think it’s a wonderful transformer. But it does have a hard time with some air whistles. Particularly the modern ones. It will sound my post war air whistles fairly easily. Electronic sound systems work great with it. It’s a pure sine wave unit.
