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Why do the MTH transformers have the power packs as add on's vs. Lionel having them included in the main transformers?

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  • Member since
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Why do the MTH transformers have the power packs as add on's vs. Lionel having them included in the main transformers?
Posted by Hotrod on Thursday, January 23, 2014 9:21 AM

There must be a reason since having a separate power pack on MTH's requires more space instead of integrating them into the main control units. Just curious, possibly for safety or just to be different?

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Posted by BigAl 956 on Thursday, January 23, 2014 12:00 PM

Are you comparing modern era transformers to Postwar ones? Power bricks were moved externally for safety. The high wattage of older supplies could be potentially dangerous. By moving the power to sealed external bricks it makes modern power supplies safer to operate as consumer products.

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Posted by Hotrod on Friday, January 24, 2014 10:22 AM

I understand but why then do modern Lionel transformers like the CW80's have the power part bricks under one roof? The MTH transformers with the extra "baggage" bricks take up more room that way. Not the biggest problem to mankind but just thought it odd. Thanks

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Posted by Dave632 on Friday, January 24, 2014 10:33 AM

The Z4000 has it all in one but it is huge, about twice the size of the old ZW.

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Posted by BigAl 956 on Friday, January 24, 2014 12:28 PM

Again it's for safety in a very litigious world. UL now requires sealed power supplies. Small supplies like the CW80 are sealed and treated as throw-aways. A complicated expensive supply like the ZW-L may need to be opened for service from time to time and are way too expensive to be sealed throw-aways. In order to be in UL compliance the fix is to move the actual power supply into sealed bricks that can be tossed if they fail. That way the ZW electronics are accessible for service.

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Posted by riverrailfan on Friday, January 24, 2014 4:45 PM

Lionel starter sets did have seperate power packs before the CW80 came out. It was a 77watt that was cheaply produced.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lionel-O-Scale-77-Watt-Transformer-Controller-with-CTC-Track-Lockon-Excellent-/310835162537?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item485f382da9

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Posted by ADCX Rob on Friday, January 24, 2014 10:36 PM

riverrailfan
Lionel starter sets did have seperate power packs before the CW80 came out. It was a 77watt that was cheaply produced.

That is actually a 40VA transformer, the 77 watts is the input.

The BW was next - separate "power pack" style with an 80 watts output "brick" and a controller that is essentially the same as the CW unit.

Rob

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