I have two MTH Z-750 transformers and I’m having the same problem with both of them. When I use either my Lionel 6-11711 Santa Fe F3 diesel or my Lionel 6-18177 Santa Fe F3 diesel to pull any more than four lighted passenger cars the transformer circuit breaker trips. This doesn’t happen with my Lionel 6-18513 NYC GP-7. I pulled about twelve lighted passenger cars with the GP-7 and I’m having no problem. I can also pull as many non-lighted cars as my track will allow with either of the two F3’s without tripping the circuit breaker. I hope someone can explain why I’m having this problem and what the solution can be.
750 is a 75 watt transformer. Your F-3’s are pulling more current than the GP-7 and when used with the lighted passenger cars, you trip the breaker. a) cut back on the cars, b) check the F-3’s to make sure they don’t need service (they could be pulling more current than they chould), c) get a more powerful transformer.
What are the components that are in need of service that would cause the F3’s to pull more current than they should and how would I be able to determine this?
Brushes/springs for bushes, commutator clogged/drity/warped, near broken wires from the pickup rollers, any type of mechanical binding or lack of lube/grease.
These are open frame PullMor’s. They pull a lot of current when they are in top shape. This set also features RailSounds and that pulls another 1-2 amps.
There is a good chance that there is nothing wrong with the transformer and that the consist you are trying to use just pulls more current than the 750 can handle.