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Lionel V transformer

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  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 3 posts
Lionel V transformer
Posted by Saint Edmond's Station on Saturday, June 3, 2017 11:43 AM

I have a Lionel "V" transformer with two parallel terminals on the back and the numerals 1 thru 4 between them.  There is no indication which row of terminals is the one to be connected to the center rails.  Which row do I use for the center rails?

KRM
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
  • 6,506 posts
Posted by KRM on Saturday, June 3, 2017 12:49 PM

I don't know what the 1-4 is all about but here is a link to a Lionel Postwar V

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=668

 

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
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Posted by ADCX Rob on Saturday, June 3, 2017 4:00 PM

The lower 1-4 posts correspond to the numbered 1-4 throttle knobs.

The upper row are all "U" and are all common to each other.

Rob

  • Member since
    November 2015
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Posted by JTrains on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 6:47 AM

ADCX Rob

The lower 1-4 posts correspond to the numbered 1-4 throttle knobs.

The upper row are all "U" and are all common to each other.

...which implies that any one of the upper row of posts should be connected to the outside rails while one of the lower row should be connected to the center rail.

IT consultant by day, 3rd generation Lionel guy (raising a 3YO 4th generation Lionel Lil' Man) by night in the suburbs of the greatest city in the world - Chicago. Home of the ever-changing Illinois Concretus Ry.

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  • From: Lake Worth FL
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Posted by phillyreading on Sunday, June 11, 2017 4:02 PM

I would use a circuit multi meter that can run up to 50 volts and test the common screws. Put the wire on each terminal and saw what voltage you have.

I have used the Lionel ZW transformer from the 1960's and have four lower terminals(negative) and four upper terminals(positive). The ZW has a circuit breaker on the negitive wire from the transformer.

Lee

Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading.
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  • From: Austin, TX
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Posted by lionelsoni on Sunday, June 11, 2017 5:29 PM

Unless you operate the whistle control, none of the ZW terminals is more positive or negative than then others.  In any case, the circuit breaker is in series with the upper terminals, not the lower ones.

Bob Nelson

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