Hello. I’m a newbie with a transformer problem.
I have a Lionel 1033 transformer I want to use for bench testing. I got it minus the reverse/whistle switch. I rebuilt the switch. Reverse works OK and AC to track voltage is OK, but the whistle switch is dead. I had to unsolder some wires to do the repairs and believe I reattached them correctly. There is no DC voltage across any terminals when the switch is made. Suggestions? (I have a wiring diagram but it’s too confusing for me. )
You won’t see the DC unless there is a load on the transformer.
OK, I put a tender on a couple of track sections & hooked up my 1033 transformer and a voltmeter. The whistle gives a weak chirp when the switch is made. The voltmeter shows maybe a volt or so of DC, 15 volts AC. ???
That’s marginal. It should be at least 1.1 volts, the minimum at which a whistle relay is supposed to operate. There should be two stages as you move the whistle handle. In the first stage, it puts an additional 5-volt winding and the rectifier in series with the normal output. In the second stage, it shunts the rectifier with a resistor, to reduce the DC component and restore some of the AC. The voltages should be at least 1.1 for the first stage, .5 for the second. Do you observe these two distinct “on” positions?
No. With a more sensitive multimeter I read closer to 0.1 volt initially and a decay to 0.0 volts. Sorry for bad info. G.I.G.O. The wire resistor is noted in the wiring diagram. Now I understand it’s purpose. You describe two “stages”. There is only one switch position that I see.
Here is Lionel’s description of how the whistle control works:
http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/transfmr/ps3.pdf
It occured to me since I last posted here that a modern tender, like a voltmeter, isn’t much of a load for a postwar transformer. Do you have some lighted cars that you could put on the track with the tender to see whether you can detect more DC voltage? It is of course possible that your transformer’s rectifier is damaged or mis-wired; but I think a little more testing is needed before coming to that conclusion.
Lionelsoni Thanks for your info. I tried a lighted car on the track & a track cleaner running for a big load. The light in the car got brighter when I turned the whistle handle. No change to DC voltage. There is no DC voltage from the whistle controller. (took a little time, train show to go to & parts came in for another project.) I am giving up on this transformer, it was a basket case when I got it.
Byron Allen