Old KW-190 and new locomotives whistle problem

[Chugly]

I am just getting started with an O scale track. I bought my son a basic oval with small a steam locomotive, bringing it out at Xmas. This year I decided to grow it a little. I bought a couple of new Lionel engines and some more track. A  Union Pacific heritage SD-70ace and a Southern Pacific Dash -9. both have multiple motors and both TMCC and Legacy engines. I had to replace the 40 watt power unit that I had with something bigger,as it wouldn't work the newer bigger locomotives.I picked up a KW-190 for a good price. Power wise it is working great. But i don't have any whistle or bell with it. I am aware that I might have had to buy an activation button to ring the bells.The problem is when I pull the lever to blow the whistle, all I get is an increase of power to the engines but now horn. I really wanted to use the levers and buttons for what they are intended.

Am I missing something? Any suggestions?

thanks

rob

 

[TRAINCAT]

You most likely need to replace the whistle rectifier on the KW with a new modern diode. The horn should sound at least.

Roger

[lionelsoni]

Or replace it with a new copper-oxide rectifier if you want.  The part number is 1041-13.  Copper oxide has a slightly better forward drop than silicon; but the difference is probably inconsequential.

[Seayakbill]

Very important, do not rely on the KW's circuit breaker for quickly shutting off power to the rails during a derailment. Downside and expensive will be fried electronics in your modern locos.

[lionelsoni]

Unless it's broken, the KW's circuit breaker will do a good job of shutting off power, protecting itself and your wiring.  A short circuit itself will not damage your locomotive.  Voltage spikes, which might result from clearing a short circuit, might.  No circuit breaker or fuse is assurance against that.  The best protection for your locomotive electronics is a transient-voltage suppressor (TVS).

(Your wiring should be no smaller than 16 AWG, to match the 10-ampere capability of the KW.)

[Chugly]

Well I took the old KW apart and cleaned it up and tightened up the connections and contacts as much as possible with encouraging results. Found out that the old thing will run the new legacy engine with good interactive features. Unfortunately for correct and predictable functioning, I am going to have to get some new parts ie: the whistle rectifier disk, to make it work real good. But on the right track until I can buy a legacy controller.

Thanks all for the words of caution about the circuit breaker and such. Words that were echoed by the railroaders at the train show yesterday here in Sacramento, Ca.

[Chugly]

Well I took the old KW apart and cleaned it up and tightened up the connections and contacts as much as possible with encouraging results. Found out that the old thing will run the new legacy engine with good interactive features. Unfortunately for correct and predictable functioning, I am going to have to get some new parts ie: the whistle rectifier disk, to make it work real good. But on the right track until I can buy a legacy controller.

Thanks all for the words of caution about the circuit breaker and such. Words that were echoed by the railroaders at the train show yesterday here in Sacramento, Ca.

[TRAINCAT]

Bob, what part number or type of TVS is needed?

Roger

[lionelsoni]

1.5KE36CA

[TRAINCAT]

1.5KE36CA

Can I use that with all my post war transformers and my Z-1000? Know of a good source?

Roger

[lionelsoni]

Yes.  Someone just asked whether he should move to the next higher voltage rating (1.5KE43CA), for a higher-voltage transformer, which is not a bad idea, since the peak voltage of a sinusoid is the RMS voltage multiplied by the square-root of 2 ~= 1.414.

I often buy from Mouser.

[TRAINCAT]

Bob,  I checked Mouser but  I am confused. Is the one that is numbered 576-1.5KE36CA the one?

Roger

[lionelsoni]

The "576-" is just Mouser's number for the manufacturer, in this case Littelfuse.  You can get these from a zillion different manufacturers through Mouser (or any other distributor), in various packaging.  Just be sure there is a "C" (for bidirectional) after the "36".