Lionel CW-80 question???

[Anonymous]

IIam just wondering if a Lionel CW-80 transformer can operate a couple of
Lionel Fastrack switches on a 6x8x14 layout?
Iam helping a friend of mine VGN brakeman on his layout.
He has a 6x8 in his living room and with two tunnels through the wall
a 6x6 in the other room. right now only a single connection on the east end.
the outside circle has 4 switches as crossovers fron the North to the south side and each time you crossover the trains changes direction on the return
through the tunnel.
sort of like major Boltons fastrack layout.
if i install two power switches on the one side one left and one right you can
change direction with out getting up from your seat.
the other switches are manual switches.
so far so good.
just wondering if a 80 watt has enough wattage with out power drop to the locomotives.

does any one here run with the simple CW -80?
i think it is a fine transformer.

Nstrackman
MP-N-369

[Anonymous]

If the transformer was only connected to the accessory port to provide the power to the switches, then it shouldnt be a problem. However, from what I read about it the accessory port also shares power with the track terminals, so if alot of wattage was used on accessories then there would be less availiable power for the track. Unless you run the locomotives with the same transformer you should be fine.

There is also a large thread as well regarding the CW discussion as well.

Many people though have known the CW-80 to be a very problematic transformer and therefore only use it to power accessories and probably switches as well. In my case it doesnt operate my PS1 engines properly the way it should (like unable to change direction because there is still power in the track even when the throttle is on 0). Plus, it sends out a cropped sine-wave signal which can cause problems as well. I am going to work on upgrading to a better transformer like the Z-4000.

[phillyreading]

Like Chris A.(aka The Trainmaster) said it seems to be a transformer to stay away from.
From reading other posts about the CW-80 I can only conclude that it would serve best as a paper weight.
Lee F.