Why have KW transformers dropped in value?

[phillyreading]

I agree with Cheif about the older ZW's, more reliable and easier to work on, also the power unit is built inside so no add-ons like the new ZW's(one major reason I hate new ZW's, takes more space!). I use separate circuit breakers from Scotts Odd & Ends for circuit protection on newer engines.

Lee F.

[mersenne6]

 

  Is there any chance it might be because they Kwit Working????

[lionelsoni]

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=BUS&MfrPartNumber=UCB20&CategoryCode=3061

These come in various current ratings at most automotive parts stores.  Five, 10, and 15 amperes are likely candidates for toy trains.  Fifteen amperes is about right for a type Z or ZW with 14 AWG or heavier wiring.  Use 10 amperes for a type KW with 16 AWG or heavier wire.  Use 5 amperes for a type 1033 with 20 AWG or heavier wire.

[tcripe]

Chief, where did you get the automobile circuit breakers? Our stores seem to have only fuses or small circuit breakers.

Terry 

[SCD]

I think the new lower prices are a reflection of the current slow economy. Lately I've picked up some neat pieces on ebay that sold at a considerably lower price than they would have brought a couple of years ago. Its a good time to be buying, but a bad time to be selling.

 

[MMKM]

Always loved the ZW transformer, I remember my friends dad had a table in the basement with a zw and Santa Fe f3's.  So I decided to buy myself one last night!  Got it for 120.00 plus shipping.  The ZW not the F3's but the F3's might be next.

[J. Daddy]

I put a KW in perfect working condition with new cord & carbon rollers on ebay last week. It sold for $57.00 + $14. shipping. I looked at others before putting it on and noticed that they were going for even less. I saw one go for $43.00. At one time didn't these go for around $135.00.

Went to a train meet last Sunday here in Michigan, It was called trains in the park, mostly O gauge and S gauge for sale. Noted that ZW's were priced about 175 to 180, none of them sold. KW's are marked around 50 to 60 and everyone of them were bought. I love my ZW, replaced the carbon rollers and put a new cord on it and back in action it was. I have a TW, looks cool but has a really odd power hook up/supply with only a max of 18v, plus the whistle throttle keeps coming off in my hand and tends to short when activated (another thing to do on my list) So right now its in service for accessories , still looks cool though.

The KW's always looked strange but for a 20v power supply its a good deal. Upon this note though, yeah things are cheaper right now. I say enjoy it and buy what you can afford, because when the economy picks up and the holiday season comes around prices will start heading back up.

[ChiefEagles]

Wait for the right time and right one.  I never pay over $120 for a ZW.  Very easy to work on too.  Usually check rollers and that is about it.  Got several sitting in storage.  Got three ZW's running each main line and the sidings.  KW's [two] running the accessories and switch power.  Got two extra KW's in storage.  I do remove the Lionel circuit breaker and install automotive resetting circuit breaker.  More reliable and fast acting.  I also use fast acting breakers between ZW's and track power.  Old ZW's and KW's are reliable power and cheap.

[challenger3980]

   It's not just transformers, if you have the money to spend, right now is a good time time to watch ebay for out of production items, prices are down on all kinds of things.

  I just bought this JLC series H-7 "Simple Simon" 2-8-8-2 on ebay, I got it for $885.00 +25.99 shipping/insured, these had an original MSRP of $1649.99. The seller claims the box was never opened, Locomotive has never been out of the box, I'll find out when it gets here.

  A Lionel Scale size Union Pacific 4-12-2 just sold for $721.00, it had a little run time according to the description, I believe that those were around $1200.00 new. With the economy slowing down, I suspect that there are many people afraid to spend money on toys, while there are also people who are trying to sell some to cushion the blow, maybe from hours being cut back at work ( I have felt a little of that, not too bad yet Fortunately) and others getting laid off, I have seen that happen to more than I want to think about.

  Right now is a Good time to buy trains on ebay, not so much to sell them on ebay.

                  Doug

[Berk765]

I'm going to be checking into those transformers some time soon!!

[ben10ben]

Last November(when I bought my ZW), I sold my KW on Ebay for around $85. This was less than the $120 I paid for it three years previously, but I felt still not too bad of a price at the time.

Incidentally, I paid $150 for the first ZW I bought. This was for the 275 watt non-R version. 

Back in May, I was able to get a junky ZW type R off of Ebay for $63(plus another $15 in shipping). One of the handles was missing, which cost me $14 to replace. I also had to replace two rollers, at a cost of, I believe, $2. With that, and some elbow grease, I ended up with a very nice ZW for under $100. 

I also paid $70 for a really nice Z last December. 

There may be all kinds of nice new transformers out there. As far as I'm concerned, however, postwar transformers are hard to beat both in reliability and cost per watt. 

[lionel2]

Yeah, They are cheap now!!  I got (2) Z's for $80 and Got a few more KW's for about $45 to 50 each.  But, the ZW sells like mad, $150 and up for some decent ones on ebay.   I personally do not like the ZW...I use the KW to run my trains and the Z's to run my accessories.  But, on my layout, I use a Z and KW and smaller transformers to run my lights for my house.  My Z can power all 21 of my accessories with no problems, makes me wonder why you can get them so cheap on ebay.  They should be like $100 each for the amount of work they can do.  Postwar trains are not easy to get powered and all running good.  But, my KW powers them nicely.  I love the fixed voltage too, i am able to power 6 pairs of switches with no problems and still run 2 of my trains.  Grab em while there hot!!  dont wait til fall...they will go up in prices.

[Berk765]

People probably feel more safe buying a brand new transformer 'cause they are afraid an old one could catch on fire.

[cbq9911a]

Transformers have dropped in value because there is less demand.  Why buy a vintage KW when you can buy a new Z-4000 or a TMCC power center?

[Berk765]

I guess people have to spend more money on gasolene now so that doesn't leave too much greenbacks for the fun stuff.

[Berk765]

One good thing about that is that they will be more affordable to folks who don't have one and lust after them.

[stubbsO]

I put a KW in perfect working condition with new cord & carbon rollers on ebay last week. It sold for $57.00 + $14. shipping. I looked at others before putting it on and noticed that they were going for even less. I saw one go for $43.00. At one time didn't these go for around $135.00.

   It's not just KW's, it seems all transformers have fallen. 2 years ago, ZW's were going for around 200-250. I've seen them lately go for less than 150 in good shape. For some reason, Z's are holding there own at the same they always have, 35-70. It seems locos have fallen as well as all trains, car parts, and other stuff on the e-bag.

[Bob Keller]

Newer power displacing older power?

Mine got bumped by a Z-4000 and an MRC DualPower so now it only works the S gauge side of the street.

[ed11670]

I put a KW in perfect working condition with new cord & carbon rollers on ebay last week. It sold for $57.00 + $14. shipping. I looked at others before putting it on and noticed that they were going for even less. I saw one go for $43.00. At one time didn't these go for around $135.00.