Need Transformer Advice

[Anonymous]

I purchased mine from www.mouser.com , just search the part number. Im sure other major supply houses have them also. They were about a dollar each. I dont know the maximum voltage on the other various Lionel transformers. They sometimes measure a bit more on a voltmeter than stated on the transformer. The 36 volt one is safe in all applications and still removes most of the spike. Yes it acts like a very brief short circuit but really only clips the top or bottom of the sine wave.

Dale Hz

[johnandjulie13]

Dale and Daniel:

Thanks again for the information. One more question, would you suggest using zener diodes on new transformers as well? Would those require a diode with different characteristics?

Regards,

JO

[Anonymous]

Yes I would use it on new transformers,they have no spike protection. You could probably use the 33 volt ones as I dont think new transformers have a whistle boosting winding. I personally use the 36 volt. I have the new Lionel ZW and the MTH Z4000. New transformers have good fast acting breakers but I still use 10 amp fast blow fuses.

Dale Hz

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: QUOTE: Originally posted by jaabat

I've heard that those K-Line Super Chiefs tend to cook themselves if left running for extended periods. They work well but need to be shut down occasionally or they overheat and fry.


Hmmm.... I'll have to check into that. Do you have any documented instances, or could this be an old wives tale?

Any idea how long is "too long"? Any idea how much power was being drawn?

With some data, I'd be willing to see if mine would "cook".

I believe I am the person that jaabat was referring to. Fact is, the Boston Area Tinplate Trackers (of which I am a member) have managed to fry two K-Line 120-Watt transformers. With impeccable timing, we did this in late December 2005, just as K-Line was closing its doors. I still have the burned out units in my home.

By contrast, I have two K-Line 120-watt tranformers on my home layout, and they have performed very well for over two years. I friend of mine also has a K-Line 120-watt transformer that has performed well on his home layout for over a year. But our home layouts are not left on for hours and hours at a time--they are run for a relatively short time and then turned off. The Tinplate Trackers layout, on the other hand, runs for six hours at a time at train shows. We noticed that the K-Line transformers tend to get very hot under these circumstances and, alas, are subject to failure.

I still love my K-Line transformers on the home layout, though.

Richard Bjorkman

[Jumijo]

Richard,

Good to see you posting here at the CTT Forum. Please don't be a stranger. We could all benefit from your input. Feel free to contact me via email.

Jim

[Anonymous]

Richard

I have a couple of K-Line power chiefs also. A good transtormer for running trains,not so good for some accessories. I tried powering 3 Lionel oil pumps with them. Every time one of the solenoids energized the red light would flash indicating a short circuit. three of them drove it nuts. I wound hooking them up to a straight,fused 100 watt power transformer,no problem.

Dale Hz

[Anonymous]

The K-Line Power Chiefs do respond very quickly to anything that seems like excessive current. Even a momentary short caused by an engine passing over a poorly designed switch can cause the red light to come on and the voltage output to collapse, sometimes to the point of cycling the engine into neutral.

Richard Bjorkman