I have been hooking up accessories and lights. I think I have out grown my power. I am using 2 Z-4000 and an additional smaller transformer. I would like to add some power just for accessories. Is there a cheap way to do this? Could a low voltage tranformer for out door lights work?
Thanks in advance
Doc, there’s some mail order electronics in Pennsylvania (I’m sure there are many others) where I ordered a couple of 5amp transformers that have two voltage outputs: one for 6 volts and another for 12 volts. Outside of having to solder on a power cord and adding an inline fuse, I found this was a good addition for my layout.
While having one or two large transformers is nice for simplicity, there are advantages to having a number of smaller transformers, so you can “customize” voltage to various accessories or lights.
Now some food for thought: while it is difficult to change voltages of lights in operating accessories (not impossible, but you have to re-wire them), lights in non-operating buildings, street lights, etc. can be a lower voltage bulb, which allows more lights on a smaller transformer.
Light bulbs add up quickly as far as the amount of current they draw. According to the Greenberg Lionel Repair book, a large 12 volt bulb (typical with many Lionel accessories) uses 3 watts. Ten of those will equal 2 amps. Using mini-CHRISTmas bulbs for isolated circuits with those lights only will allow use of low voltage bulbs and allow more lights on a single transformer. These mini lights are also usually cheap right after CHRISTmas. I’ve gottten a number of sets with 20 lights that have 6 volt bulbs on them, which I find perfect. But if you use a smaller transformer with a sensitive low voltage adjustment, you could use the typical 3.5 volt mini bulbs.
The no-frills starter K-Line transformer (that came with many starter sets) can often be found cheaply, starts with a zero voltage. While it is only about a 1.3 amp capacity, that would power quite a few 3.5 volt lights. Many of the small Lionel transformers (which can also be found cheap) start off with a minimal 6 volts, which will fry those lights unless you wire them in series. Just some food for thought.
The other possibility is using LED’s. But this could get a little costly if you now have to re
Wow. Very detailed response. I do light my buildings with small xmas lights in series. Its the other stuff that uses most power.
My transformer has a 10 and 14 outlet. I am only using the 14. Does this mean I have extra room to add stuff to the 10 even if the 14 is maxed out or is that circuit a combined 4 amps and it does not matter?
Still curious if there is a non “train” solution to the accesory power that I am not aware of.
The outdoor lights use 12 volts, but the transformers are very pricey. Doorbell transformers are usually 16 volts, but very small. Control transformers, used for HVAC, come in reasonable sizes, but are standardized at 24 volts. Your best bet might be to browse, for example, the Mouser catalog.
Would an old 8B transformer work for you? 100 watts, circuit breaker, cheap and bulletproof. I have used them at train shows where they were in use for 12 continous hours and they provided full power and got only minimally warmer.
Jim
“More Power?! Captain shes given us all shes got!”
I am using an older Radio Shack brand transformer for poweriong my lights in the buildings, two Micronta 12 volt DC(output can get up to 14.8 volts DC, some automotive battery chargers have similar transformers) constant power supplies, using G.E. Mazda lights-about ten to a transformer in parallel wiring. The lights can take up to 18 volts each but I run them at a lower voltage to preserve them and the buildings as I am using Plasticville in about 90% of my buildings. Using newer light bulb bases from Radio Shack with the Mazda lamps, the old wires and sockets are no good. I can get the Mazda lamps for about $2.00 for 7 so the cost is reasonable for me.
Lee F.