Good Day All!
I have a question (please don’t laugh) I found a couple of old Tyco train transformers, and I was wondering, since they are obviously no good for running trains, what would be some other uses for these transformers? Please share your ideas.
Power for building lights, trackside signals, or turnout motors are some of the uses for those old power transformers.
[#ditto]
I use an old Bachmann trainset power pack to run my turnouts.
You can power a turntable. Having a speed control is valuable for that.
I use mine for lights and turnouts, too. I’ve got an ancient Lionel which is over 50 years old, and maybe more. It’s still putting out power. I did replace the old frayed, cloth-insulated cord, though.
I was using that same old transformer to drive my DCC system, too. Eventually I had enough stuff on the track that it couldn’t keep the voltage up, so I replaced it with a real power supply. I’d recommend going with a power supply for DCC from the start, and saving the old transformers for lights and accessories.
You can even use the track output for variable voltage light output. BE CAREFUL! You can blow low voltage bulbs real EZ if you give them too much power.
I keep an old Tyco pack on my work bench for powering locos when I do wheel cleaning. I just keep a pair of those alligator clip test leads attached to it.
You dont mean this, do you?
David B
Thats cool 
I like the idea of keeping one on the bench, as far as using one to light up structures, would I need to add some resistors?
Thanks to a yard sale-addicted sister I have a boxful! They’re scheduled to be used, one to a zone*, for panel and structure lighting. The DC output, turned to full power, could be used as a charging power supply for a CD switch machine throwing circuit. (Just make sure the polarity is correct, then do something to keep the throttle handle from moving - ever!)
*Zone, in this context, is a town or equivalent, operated from a single MZL system zone panel.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)