With the speed handle turned to maximum, my Lionel 1033 transformer is putting out only 13.5 volts between the U and A terminals (denoted as 16 volts). I've already cleaned any dust out of the inside and cleaned the terminals. Is it simply wearing down with age or is there something else I can look into?
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Is your meter correct? Do you have another transformer that you can check it with? Is the input voltage reasonably close to 115 volts? What voltage to you read between A and C? Does the wiper go all the way to the high end of the exposed winding?
Bob Nelson
I finally got around to the testing Bob suggested (thanks, Bob). The first meter I used gave me a 1/2 volt lower reading as compared to a different meter I had (which gave me a 14 volt reading at max while connected to the track). I also cleaned the winding where the wiper swipes it and confirmed that the wiper does go all the way.
But the main thing I discovered was that after disconnecting the transformer from the track, the readings jumped by the missing 2 volts, to 16 volts. So it seems like I'm "bleeding off" 2 volts when connected to the track, but I don't have any short circuits. Thoughts, anyone?
Bob would be better at this but from what others have told me, it is possible/normal to have a drop in voltage reading from the track as that is considered a reading with a load on the transformer.
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Well, the track itself isn't a load; but a locomotive or lighted car on the track, or an accessory powered from the track, is. How much drop to expect depends on the size of the load and the size of the transformer: Small transformers have worse voltage regulation than big ones, and the 1033 is small. When I can, I will test my workbench 1033 with, say, a 2037 and see how much drop I get.
What voltage did you see when you measured between A and C?
That seems pretty simple and makes sense, if there is already something drawing power then I won't get the max voltage readings. I wasn't taking into consideration the several lighted lockons and bumpers on my layout. Thanks!
Bob,
To add another set of eyes to the question of voltage at the posts of a 1033, I conducted my own experiment today along the lines of the questions you asked of the original poster. In my experiment I used 2 1033s I had available, built a loop of O-gauge track with 2 022 switches for the purpose of lights in the circuit, and placed 2 lighted PW O-27 passenger cars on the track ( 4 bulbs, 2 each), 1 searchlight car with the electromagnetic base &(1 bulb), The cars and switches to me represent the lighted lockons, and bumpers lights mentioned by the poster.
AC voltage via outlet strip was 123.7 to 124.1, flucuating.
Transformer 1 no load. A-U 16.6 A-C 16.6
Transformer 2 no load, A-U 16.2 A-C 16.2
Transformer 1 loaded, 2363 E-Unit humming neutral A-U 14.8 A-C 15.2
Transformer 2 loaded, 2363 E-Unit humming neutral A-U 15.0 A-C 15.3
Transformer 1 loaded, 2363 moving A-U 12.7to8 A-C 13.4to5
Transformer 2 loaded, 2363 moving A-U 13.0to1 A-C 13.4to7
The 2363 is a dual motor F3
I repeated the experiment 2 times to verify all readings. Didn't try an other loco.
So those are my reading with just 2 1033s I had handy.
AlanK
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