Lionel cw-80 transformer !!!!!!!!!!

[Locomotive681]

When I was useing my cw-80 transformer I was running my mth e-8 lackawanna aa set and they came by the transformer and it blew up in smoke and layout shut DOWN.Im glad to see my new e-8s are fine.
LIONELS CW80 stinks.[:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!]

[gvdobler]

I too, have on occasion released the factory installed smoke module.

Glad to hear all is well. New E8s, I'm envious.

[prewardude]

HA! Yet another vote of confidence for the CW-80. Call Lionel, they will probably send you another one.

[Anonymous]

The PE I have in layaway right now I know will include the CW-80 transformer, but I am going to order the MTH Z-4000 transformer, so at least I will have all the power I need.

[Anonymous]

What's wrong with this transformer?[%-)]

[ADCX Rob]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheTrainMaster

The PE I have in layaway right now I know will include the CW-80 transformer, but I am going to order the MTH Z-4000 transformer, so at least I will have all the power I need.

The CW will run 4-5 PE sets with ease.

Rob

[ADCX Rob]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Locomotive681

When I was useing my cw-80 transformer [:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!]

What is the date code on your failed CW?

Rob

[jimhaleyscomet]

J. Fred Muggs -

See this thread

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=1&TOPIC_ID=26709

or this one

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=53288

Jim H

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by prewardude

HA! Yet another vote of confidence for the CW-80. Call Lionel, they will probably send you another one.

If it is under warranty they will send another. they did for me twice, when you get the new one put it on Ebay and buy something else!

[laz 57]

I never had any problems running conventional motors both Lionel and MTH with a CW 80 and I run all accessories with them too.
I know of others that had lots o prblems in command.
Glad I have the new ZW with four 180 watt bricks now I got all the power I need.
laz57

[Anonymous]

No lie. I saw one of these in the trashcan at a hobby shop once with no explanation. It gave me a real vote of confidence about it. It seems they should have pushed it aside or behind the counter or something. It must be hard to sell new sets with this just sitting there.

[Anonymous]

The problematic CW-80 has been discussed time and time again in thread after thread on this and several other forums.

I have one myself, and had a variety of problems with it. It's now boxed-up and will likely be discarded, even though it's nearly new. I just don't see any reason to risk having it do damage to the trains themselves, either now or in the future. In other words: I don't trust it.

It's a nice looking transformer (in my opinion), but it isn't worth a crap as far as operational consistency and dependability is concerned.

[Anonymous]

Some guys over on that other magazine forum actually reverse-engineered the beast and posted a schematic for all to see. Problem 1 - no conventional common post. The "U" posts are hot and the "A & B" posts are tied together. (If you don't know why this is bad, you'll find out when you read the manual and try to hook up an accessory that uses an insulated rail.) Oh, so you think "I'll hook the thing up in reverse and I'll be good to go." Not so fast hoss - that will reverse the polarity of the bell/whistle buttons and modern electronic whistles will no longer respond to the whistle button. And the Bell button has a "latch" function. (PW air whistles will work fine.) Problem 2: The little cooling fan in the thing has an inadequate power supply. Mine sounds like it is dying. Problem 3: Voltage on the track output may not drop to zero even with the handle all the way down. This means the eunit in your Thomas the Tank Engine may not cycle. The solution here is to put a small load across the track terminals. Like a little light bulb. Did you notice Lionel now makes Fastrack terminal sections with a little light?

There you go. I use mine to run the loop around the Christmas tree. Works great. But the fan sounds like it's dying. :>(

I have never seen any forum posting or evidence that these problems have been resolved even in the latest CWs. (I guess the lighted terminal section helps with problem #3) I would love to know if they have fixed the thing. Please provide technical details. The CW could be a great product. And It should have TMCC built-in for the price.

I got a KW. (All the circuits on my 6 x 12 layout are fused. And I've added surge protection of my own design.) The KW works like a champ. Just added a postwar ZW. Works even better. Very happy now.

Old 2037

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ADCX Rob

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheTrainMaster

The PE I have in layaway right now I know will include the CW-80 transformer, but I am going to order the MTH Z-4000 transformer, so at least I will have all the power I need.

The CW will run 4-5 PE sets with ease.

Rob

No doubt, but I got other engines I am looking into ordering soon as well as accessories, so the 4000 will not only power the PE with ease, but will be expandable as my layout needs expand as well.

Hard to believe that the CW has so many problems. Talking about QC problems [B)]

[Nick12DMC]

Hmmm,
This unit appears to be a real pain. The fan's died on ours.
Lionel are sending me a new one but its not going to help here in the UK.
It also sets off the bell all the time. This is due to us having 50Hz power
rather than 60Hz.
Having talked with our Lionel dealer (note we didn't know we had one till
we found the details in the set infomation pack).

The CW-80 is a real problem for them as the power pack is built into the
control unit. This means you can't just swap out the transformer for a UK
spec. unit. It has to be replaced with a MTH Z1000 and a custom power transformer at £150 or swap to Powermaster and Cab 1 with custom power
pack (the route we have taken as we are planing a large layout)

Bottom line is CW-80 will not work in the UK. We were the 15th people to
contact them with problems since christmas!
Come on Lionel please jump into the 21st century and make the next unit 50/60Hz compatable.

Regards
Nick H

[Anonymous]

"I have never seen any forum posting or evidence that these problems have been resolved even in the latest CWs."
-------------------------

Nor have I seen any convincing evidence that the more current models are any better (more reliable) than the early CW80s. It's a transformer that I simply choose to avoid now that I've had my share of bad experiences with one, and I generally use my trusty, old Lionel 1033s or my MTH Z750 and Z1000 transformers for my smallish O gauge layouts.

[Kooljock1]

And the amazing thing is...the BW-80's WERE JUST FINE!!!! How could they make that right, and then screw it all up on the CW-80???

Jon [8D]

[Locomotive681]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ADCX Rob

QUOTE: Originally posted by Locomotive681

When I was useing my cw-80 transformer [:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!]

What is the date code on your failed CW?

Rob

Rob the date is 0703.The problem with was the condensier blew up.[:(!][V][xx(]

[darianj]

OK...Sounds like I need to get rid of mine....or just used it for cheap lighting!

[ADCX Rob]

QUOTE:

What is the date code on your failed CW?

Rob

Rob the date is 0703.The problem with was the condensier blew up.[:(!][V][xx(]

[ChiefEagles]

QUOTE: Originally posted by laz 57

I never had any problems running conventional motors both Lionel and MTH with a CW 80 and I run all accessories with them too.
I know of others that had lots o prblems in command.
Glad I have the new ZW with four 180 watt bricks now I got all the power I need.
laz57

Your days are numbered. Of course anything is possible in LAZland. [;)]

[pbjwilson]

QUOTE: [i]Nor have I seen any convincing evidence that the more current models are any better (more reliable) than the early CW80s. It's a transformer that I simply choose to avoid now that I've had my share of bad experiences with one, and I generally use my trusty, old Lionel 1033s or my MTH Z750 and Z1000 transformers for my smallish O gauge layouts.

Never had a problem using the MTH transformers. Simple and reliable. Along with a couple old Lionel starter set transformers for accessories you can power a decent sized layout. Simple and cheap.

[Anonymous]

I bought one on EBay over a year ago. I then started hearing all of these horror stories and it's stilll in the box.

[Anonymous]

Can I assume that the newer CW-80 transformers are more dependable and problem free? How about the ones that came with the Polar Express?

[prewardude]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Allan Miller

"I have never seen any forum posting or evidence that these problems have been resolved even in the latest CWs."
-------------------------

Nor have I seen any convincing evidence that the more current models are any better (more reliable) than the early CW80s. It's a transformer that I simply choose to avoid now that I've had my share of bad experiences with one, and I generally use my trusty, old Lionel 1033s or my MTH Z750 and Z1000 transformers for my smallish O gauge layouts.

In other words: Probably not.

[Nick12DMC]

Probably not is correct. Ours has a 2005 production date.

The Fan has died. Even with 50HZ power here in the UK it should just run
about 15% slower.
The problem that occurs in the UK with this unit appear to be down to the
electronics used in the CW-80's control for whistle and bell.
I could be wrong on this but my understanding is that the chips used in these
circuits use 60Hz as a timing signal (60 seconds/60 Hz ) when using 50hz
this is thrown out and creating the problem. The way around this I guess is to use a timing chip in the circuit.?

I also understand that new ZW's are not recomended for use in the UK.
could this be that they have similar electronics???

Lucky for us we were in Florida for christmas and my son got to play with
his set all day. Anyone who mail ordered one to the UK must have some
very upset children on chistmas day!

Nick H

[Jumijo]

Too bad Binford doesn't make toy train transformers. I'll bet they be powerful and reliable! Arhh, arhh, arhh [;)]


Jim

[philo426]

I agree My BW-80 (with the brick)has been a reliable performer with no issues at all!I guess when they deleted the brick then all of the problems started!