CW-80 Problems in the UK update

[Nick12DMC]

Hi all,
Just to update you on the problems we had running my son's Lionel
Santa Fe Fast Freight set here in the UK.
Thought this may help people having the same issues.

First off the CW-80 causes the bell to ring all the time on the loco.
I have heard of other sound problems as well.
This is due to the UK running 50Hz rather than 60Hz power even when
using a 110/120V transformer. A transformer has no effect on Frequency.

The CW-80 is of no use in the UK.

Just bare in mind if you buy a set that you will have to junk the CW-80
and buy a UK power transformer from Tennents Trains (UK Lionel Dealer).
You can use a MTH Z1000 control unit with this power unit.
The other option is a Lionel powermaster and a Cab 1 remote and a UK
power transformer. You will also need the powermaster adapter cable.
Then it should all work[:)] We have gone with the Cab 1 set up.

Hopefully next Sunday will post somthing in the photo fun topic on our first
run in the UK. (try telling a 7 year old he can't play with is present from santa
for well over a Month!) (lucky we were in the States over Chistmas so
he did get to play with it on the day)

Best Regards
Nick

[Roger Bielen]

Nick, you could always go out and buy a 60Hz generator.[:D]

[Nick12DMC]

Hi Roger,
Yes we could, but for the layout Charlie has in mind you would need
a Turbo Generator set!
Mind you maybe I could have a sideline in Power Generation for the UK national grid.[:D]

Regards
Nick

[lionelsoni]

Here's what you need; but I bet it would cost an arm and a leg: http://www.novaelectric.com/frequency_converters/nova_freqcon1.php

[Nick12DMC]

Yes I looked at frequency converters. Cheapest was £600. One similar
to the link was over £1000. Frequency Conversion is not cheap!
Best Budget option was a US spec. Inverter that you use in your car or
caravan (trailer) to get 60Hz mains power from a 12v source.
You need a hefty DC power unit able to provide over 7 amps.
All this stuff is not ideal for a 7 year old to be playing around with.

Then again this is a lot of money to invest just to get a CW-80 to work.
And we all know how reliable they can be. [;)]

Regards
Nick

[More to restore]

Hello Nick,

We have similar problems over the channel. It is also 50 HZ in The Netherlands and this can cause problems. I remember a friend of mine had similar problems with a fancy modern MTH engine, but by trail-and-error found out that the engine functions normally when there is a lighted caboose or bunk car on the rail as well. So, I do not know if that will help you as well, but try it: put some lighted cars on (or alternatively pull some power from the track with lights, etc.) and see it the engine's sound becomes normal. I hope that this will work with you as well.
Personally, I have very little trouble with power and frequencies, because I run mostly pre-war engines and a few basic modern engines. I soldered whistle and horn activation buttons and that works nice with the modern engines.

[Nick12DMC]

Hi,
Thanks for the advice, I tried this before, running a lighted car but have the
same problems.
As far as I understand it. The problem is in the electronic chips used in the
CW-80 to control the bell and whistle. They use the 60Hz as a timing signal
i.e. 60 seconds. When using 50hz this timing is thrown out of sinc.
The solution would be for Lionel to add timing chips into the circuit so
it does not need to use the frequency for timing.
Tennents are inundated with people who got Polar Express sets for
Christmas that don't work and need a UK power unit to replace the
CW-80.

Regards
Nick

[More to restore]

Sorry Nick, I had hoped for you that there would be a simple solution.
Than I guess it comes down to a choice:
-buy an expensive frequency converter
-run more simple trains
-move to Northern America

I have opted for simple Lionel trains....

[Nick12DMC]

No Problem, It just ment moving to Powermaster and Cab 1 this works fine.
Downside is that with the UK power unit this lot comes in at over £200. ouch!
At least we are up and running.

Nick