Another newcomer needing some info. Finally dug out my 1950’s era Marx O gauge (?) with Engine 999 that hasn’t seen daylight for MANY years. It still runs and the light still works.
My question regards the original 50 watt transformer that still works, but makes a somewhat loud buzzing sound. Any opinions on whether it could be repaired? Or just buy a new one? And if so, would a higher wattage, say a 90 watt unit, do any damage to the engine? I’ve no plans to get real fancy, but just a moderate layout for the grandson. (At least that’s what I told Grandma!)
Any and all suggestions are welcome.
Higher wattage won’t ruin your 999. As for odler Marx trannies, many did not have a built-in circuit breaker. Those should be sidelined. Look for a trannie wit hcircuit breaker.
For info on Marx, chack the O/O27 section of my website, listed in my signature
sawseller,
Welcome [#welcome]
The higher wattage transformers can deliver more power if the load is there (i.e. a train with a lot of passenger cars with lights). If the load is not there, no issue so long as the output voltage range is the same (about 6 to 18 VAC). So no problem getting a different transformer. Any modern Lionel, MTH, or MRC transformer will do the job for you. I would not go under 75-80 watts.
Have fun with your trains!
Roy
Marx transformers put out less voltage than Lionel. My 50-watt Marx transformer claims only 13 volts, while Lionels range from about 18 to 25. However, something like the dependable Lionel 1033, which has a lower-voltage connection (terminals B and U), would be a good choice.
The buzzing is probably just loose laminations, which are harmless if you don’t mind the noise. Pay attention to how hot the transformer gets, to judge whether there is anything really wrong with it. You can get a 5-ampere auto-resetting circuit breaker at an auto-parts store for a couple of bucks.
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Originally posted by thor CNJ
Higher wattage won’t ruin your 999. As for odler Marx trannies, many did not have a built-in circuit breaker. Those should be sidelined. Look for a trannie wit hcircuit breaker.
Thanks for the info. I still have the stand-alone circuit breaker (about 4" tall with red lenses on two sides), but see on your web page it probably isn’t very reliable. Will shop for a trannie with a built-in breaker.
Marx sold a separate circuit breaker with a light to indicate when a the breaker tripped. It looked like a signal and mounted between the transformer and the track feed.
I got used to seeing that light with a derailment and have wired a red 14v bulb acrossed my circuit breakers to show the same. The bulb is off when the breaker is in. When it trips the voltage goes to the bulb lighting it.
Charlie