Hello everyone! I'm Andrea from Italy.
In 2003 my grandpa gave me a Lionel Polar Express (6-31960), but when he connected the cable to the current, he forgot to use the 220-110v converter, and the CW-80 transformer blow up! Since 2003 that train has NEVER run in his life, and it is really frustrating. Now we are in the Christmas atmosphere and I decided to mount it under the Christmas tree and now I want to buy a new transformer (but I don't want to spend too much)! Searching on the forum I read that the most recommend is the MTH Z-1000.
My question is: If I connect it to my Lionel Polar Express, can I use it with a 220-110v converter???
Buon Natale Andrea!
If the CW-80 transformer worked with the 220-110 converter then the MTH Z-1000 will. In fact, any conventional control AC transformer will work, Lionel, MTH, Bachmann, or MPC. I use Z-1000's but if you can't get one, try the others.
And when you do, tell nonno to be more careful next time, OK?
And aboard!
PS: Let us know what happens, will you?
You can use any transformer and plug it into the converter, as long as the converter is rated at or above the wattage draw of the transformer.
The electricity in Italy is 50Hz (cycles). Our trains and transformers are designed to operate on 60Hz current. When operated at 50Hz, there will be an increase in current and therefore heat generated, which may eventually damage the transformer.
Also, the electronics in the trains may not work properly at 50Hz.
If you are in Italy, the best thing to do is purchase a train set in Italy with the correct transformer and electronics.
Larry
There's more to it than just converting the voltage to 120 volts. The frequency is also wrong. The 50-hertz European frequency will overheat the transformer unless you lower the voltage to 100 volts, especially if the transformer is a big one, but that will limit your maximum speed.
On top of this, what are called "transformers" nowadays often use "phase-control" to vary the output voltage. They switch the output voltage on some time in the middle of each half cycle of the voltage waveform. They are designed for a half-cycle of 1/120 second, not 1/100 second. That CW-80 would not have worked even if you had reduced the voltage to something that it could stand.
You may be able to find something from Maerklin that you can use. Traditional Maerklin trains run on AC and tolerate 50 hertz. In desperation, some people have powered 60-hertz 120-volt inverters from a DC power supply fed from 50-hertz. There may be someone on the forum who has found a way around these obstacles.
Bob Nelson
mandand2"Need a Lionel transformer in Italy!"
The newer CW80 with 2006 & later date codes(G06) and "QC50-OK"(edit) are reported to work OK with 50Hz(still at 110v, though).You can also run the Polar Express set with a 3-5 amp(minimum) DC train power supply(any Hz 25-60) with a 18 volt maximum output.
You would need to interrupt the power to change directions, just like with AC.
The whistle will blow continuously with the direction switch in either FWD or REV, just keep it in the opposite direction until you are ready to blow! Flip it fast to activate the whistle, and flip back fast to turn off the whistle... to avoid current interruption.
Rob
Flintlock76 Buon Natale Andrea! If the CW-80 transformer worked with the 220-110 converter then the MTH Z-1000 will. In fact, any conventional control AC transformer will work, Lionel, MTH, Bachmann, or MPC. I use Z-1000's but if you can't get one, try the others. And when you do, tell nonno to be more careful next time, OK? And aboard!
Talking to my parents they told me that the very first time we set up the train, using a 220-110 adapter, this worked without problems with the cw-80 transformer. I have not yet decided how to solve everything, but I thank you for the answer! Grazie e buon natale a te :D
That's great Andrea! Glad we could help you!
And come back any time, won't you? We love hearing from toy train fans from around the world!
I found this in the Z-1000 manual on the Internet: "This Z-1000 Hobby Transformer Power Unit was designed to operate on 120 volt, 60 Hertz power. Do not connect to any other source of power." You might be better off just using a CW-80 if you know that that will work. In bocca al lupo!
mandand2...Searching on the internet I have read that ONLY if in the back of the transformer there is the code "QC50-OK"...
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