Lionel Transformer ?

[traindaddy1]

Hello:

My "trustworthy" neighbor asked me for advice. (Not a good thing!)

Wants a suggestion for a reasonably priced transformer to be used just to power accessories.

SO, I turn to you. Appreciate your input.

As always, many thanks.

[Michael6268]

It really depends on how many accessories and what accessories he's planning to run. It could range anywhere from a cheap 40 watt Transformer to a post-war ZW. Try to get an idea what he's trying to do with it.

[traindaddy1]

Michael6268:

I'll ask him. (Right now he is enjoying the "Bubbly" so I'll wait until next year!!) 

I do know that he has highway street lights, a couple of light towers, a watchman shanty and a few other items I can't recall just now.

Will follow-up. Thanks, so much.

[traindaddy1]

Michael62 68: Follow-up

From what I can tell, the layout currently uses one terminal of a vintage ZW for the accessories. He would like to free up that terminal to be used for another train line. 

The accessories include, among other things, 18 highway street lights, 5 crossing gates, 2 crossing flashing signals, automated watchman, automated crossing shanty, 2 four bulb and 2 two bulb light towers, Marx signal tower and 8 yard lights. 

I can see his point. Looks like a lot to be hooked up to one terminal. I do beleive that he really wants to "clean up" the power end. 

(Our layout, smaller, uses a couple of old HO transformers and a CW18 for our accessories. But, then, we are "scavengers" and use whatever we find.)

Thanks, again.

[teledoc]

My suggestion would be the KW, which should be enough power, for all his accessories.

[Leverettrailfan]

I would reccomend a type “Z”, if you can find one. They aren’t particularly rare, or valuable. The “Z“ is a Prewar transformer, which preceeded the ZW. It’s basically got the power and output of a ZW, but a different case, and no whistle or direction controls. Just 4 separate throttles, and 250 watts of juice. Supposedly, they can be had for around $50. If you want the output of a ZW, but don’t need the whistles and bells, a type Z is your best bet for a vintage transformer.

[Michael6268]

I think both of these suggestions above are good ones, with the Z giving you more expansion capability / power reserve.   You could also go with a more modern transformer if desired, but you'd end up spending a lot more money for the same amount of power those deliver.

[BigAl 956]

There are a few possibilities, I'll rank them:

1. Pick up another ZW. The inside controls, B&C, are best used for accessories. Having more than one is good because some accessories need different power levels. ZWs have become inexpensive so adding another and phasing it properly with the first will give 4 controlls for trains and 4 controls for accessories.
2. KW. The KW has seperate dedicated accessory voltage connections and 2 control handles. It's not as slick as a ZW but can be had well under a hundred.
3. 1033. The venerable 1033 or 1044 transformer has a single control but also has a couple of accessory outputs. The 1033 can be had for under $50 and would be good for a smaller layout.

[traindaddy1]

teledoc; Leverettrailfan; Michael6268; BigAl956;  Thanks for the suggestions.