Transformer recommendation needed!

[49Lionel]

I recently purchased a K-Line semi-scale pacific to add to my collection of mostly postwar steam. However, when operating at low voltage (6-7 volts), something in the tender keeps clicking and the engine is very jerky. Give it just a few more volts and it's nice and smooth. I'm told this is probably because I'm running it with a postwar transformer (an RW) - can anybody corroborate that? So, I'm looking for an inexpensive, newer transformer; doesn't have to have tons of wattage, I can keep using the RW for accessories and lights. I'd like to find one that will control the whistles on my postwar steamers, Lionel docksider, and K-Line pacific. Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

Sounds more like you have a TMCC/Railsounds engine and that clicking is the Railsounds attempting to power up.  I have this with my B&O Mikado I received for Christmas, I have not, and will not, install a battery (if you install a battery the clicking will most certainly go away).  Or you could install a Dallee capacitor instead of a battery.  http://www.dallee.com

[49Lionel]

Nope, it's just a regular conventional with a whistle; no other sounds. 

[Dr. John]

Williams now offers a good transformer at a reasonable price that has buttons for both the bell and whistle.

[phillyreading]

You can get the new Williams transformer like Dr. John recommends, the best price that I have seen on the Williams transformer is about $125.00 sometimes as high as $150.00 but the Williams has more features(Williams has a brake feature, MTH don't have that) than the MTH Z750 or Z1000, price for the MTH Z750 or Z1000 is just under $90.00 new at most hobby shops.

Lee F.

[49Lionel]

Any experience with MRC transformers?

[jefelectric]

The Williams got a good review in one of the magazines, it is rated at 150 watt.  And the Z-1000 is a reliable unit rated at 100 watt.  The old rule of thumb of $1.00 per watt is still true, anything better is a good deal.

[phillyreading]

While we are talking about the Williams transformer does any one know the dimensions of the transformer? Like how big or how wide it is?

The only reason I bought a Z1000 is to run my new locomotive by MTH, a Reading T-1(4-8-4).

Lee F.

[mickey4479]

Sounds more like you have a TMCC/Railsounds engine and that clicking is the Railsounds attempting to power up.  I have this with my B&O Mikado I received for Christmas, I have not, and will not, install a battery (if you install a battery the clicking will most certainly go away).  Or you could install a Dallee capacitor instead of a battery.  http://www.dallee.com

lionroar88:  I am curious about your comment that you would not install a battery in that loco.  Is that because that loco does not need a battery and if you did install a battery it might damage the electronics?  I am electrically challenged!  Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Sounds more like you have a TMCC/Railsounds engine and that clicking is the Railsounds attempting to power up.  I have this with my B&O Mikado I received for Christmas, I have not, and will not, install a battery (if you install a battery the clicking will most certainly go away).  Or you could install a Dallee capacitor instead of a battery.  http://www.dallee.com

lionroar88:  I am curious about your comment that you would not install a battery in that loco.  Is that because that loco does not need a battery and if you did install a battery it might damage the electronics?  I am electrically challenged!  Thanks.

Mickey,
The battery actually goes in the tender, sorry for that.  I dont' want to install a battery because I don't have all my trains out all year long.  I don't have the train room built (actually the house isn't built yet), and I can't have them all out till the room is built.  I don't want to run the risk of anything happening with a battery - even though I do know there is little chance of anything leaking - why take a chance?

[Anonymous]

 The older ZW's have a sine wave problem with newer engines and cause alot of malfunctioning on the newer digital systems . Interference ... sad to say if you're updating engines you need to update transformers at a premium cost as I found out . I'm not saying that's your problem ... don't want to get chewed out again -- LOL !

[ChiefEagles]

 The older ZW's have a sine wave problem with newer engines and cause alot of malfunctioning on the newer digital systems . Interference ... sad to say if you're updating engines you need to update transformers at a premium cost as I found out . I'm not saying that's your problem ... don't want to get chewed out again -- LOL !

Not chewing you out old buddy.  Got three of them [old ZW's] and NO problems so ever.  Running TMCC and DCS engines.  Lots of folks love them as they are prue sine wave.   The new ZW is chopped sine wave and gives some types of engines problems. 

[Bob Keller]

I would beg to differ with Hobo. I don't believe that anyone on our staff knows of any hobbyist who has had a problem with modern electronics when they were using a postwar Lionel ZW.

About 10 years ago QSI did a study on sine waves, transformers, and modern electronics and concluded that the chopped wave was to blame for power surges - and that even the tried and true ZW generated power surges, but I'm unaware of any problems with spurious horns, etc. using and old ZW.

[Anonymous]

 There I went again ! Size 11 1/2 in my mouth again !  If I don't stop believing what I read and take it for fact ... Must have got the 2 mixed up .... lord no wonder my sons tell me the old folks home is getting nearer to becoming my reality ... LOL

[Anonymous]

Ogaugeoverlord,

In a conversation with a representative of QSI recently, I was told that certain modern electronic components might exhibit erratic behavior, owing not to postwar transformers, but rather due to "noisy" motors* in postwar locomotives. Would you care to comment?

*Evidently one remedy is to wire a capacitor across the brush-wells of the offending motor (s).

[ChiefEagles]

 There I went again ! Size 11 1/2 in my mouth again !  If I don't stop believing what I read and take it for fact ... Must have got the 2 mixed up .... lord no wonder my sons tell me the old folks home is getting nearer to becoming my reality ... LOL

Hey, Hobo, us seniors have a time don't we. [probably flew over your house last night]  Wolverine, think QSI was covering their butts.