Just bought some Lionel stuff that included some interesting pieces. I know some about Lionel trains but happen to be clueless regarding AF. Could someone tell me if the 15B trasformer is a sought after model? What is the approximate value? It has the original cord (which is brittle) but the box is present (rough condition) but the transformer itself is in very nice condition! Tied to find a value on fleabay but came up empty handed. Thank you!
It's one of the larger single train transformers(the 16B at 175 or 190 watts, the 17B at 190 watts, and the 19B at 300 watts are bigger) at 110 watts. The catch is that the max. voltage under load is only 15 volts, perfect for starter sets and early MPC equipment, and of course S gauge.
Here is a web page that may be of interest to you.
Here is a 15B from eBay.
Rob
Sounds like, even in excellent shape, they are not worth a ton of money?
It looks that way. Unless it's sealed NIB, only the largest & best, Flyer or Lionel, bring the $$ in. There are too many modern options nowadays for them to be in demand from operators anymore.
The 15B is a very good transformer for the money. A really nice one can be had for < $50. They run quiet and do not get hot. They are also easy to work on. For running American Flyer trains they can not be beat, but I am very partial to old AF train items.
Jim
I agree with Jim they are a great little transaformer, only 110 watts as previously posted, but I run a small train with one under the tree at XMAS time. I also have one I am going to hook up to all the accessory lighting ao I can change the voltage and alter the brightness of the buildings and street lights.
Well that will happen sometime in the future as we get to doing some scenery and land scaping on the layout.
George
Moved to FL from NJ and seem to have lost my American Flyer 15B transformer do you have one available?
There is a nice one on Ebay right now $100
http://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Flyer-15B-Watt-Transformer-ORIGNAL-BOX-EXCELLENT-WORKS-GREAT-/152388312900?hash=item237b0d1f44:g:aw8AAOSw9GhYcnjq
Sturgeon-Phish There is a nice one on Ebay right now $100 http://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Flyer-15B-Watt-Transformer-ORIGNAL-BOX-EXCELLENT-WORKS-GREAT-/152388312900?hash=item237b0d1f44:g:aw8AAOSw9GhYcnjq Jim
Rich
Alton Junction
Rich,
I only have one "new" transformer and it is the one that came with my Polar Express. The rest of my transformers are "vintage" I guess. When I run the PE, I use the old transformers. My favorite and the one I ran on my layout is the 30B, 300 watts, dual controls. It can run for hours and not get hot. I also have a 22090; 350 watts dual control. I've not had a layout since getting the 22090 but I would expect it to be just as good.
For the money an 8B is hard to beat. Here is an 8B on my test rig
Here is my control panel with a 30B & a 17B
Here is a 22090 that looks interesting
http://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Flyer-Trains-S-scale-322090-350-watt-transformer-parts-repair-/132060838610?hash=item1ebf707ad2:g:oeEAAOSw44BYdXRN
Sturgeon-Phish Rich, I only have one "new" transformer and it is the one that came with my Polar Express. The rest of my transformers are "vintage" I guess. When I run the PE, I use the old transformers. My favorite and the one I ran on my layout is the 30B, 300 watts, dual controls. It can run for hours and not get hot. I also have a 22090; 350 watts dual control. I've not had a layout since getting the 22090 but I would expect it to be just as good. For the money an 8B is hard to beat. Here is an 8B on my test rig
I have a 30B that I used for a while. It looks cool; and I liked that it shut off when I lifted the handle; but I couldn't get used to the fact that the two controls worked in opposite directions. I was always turning it up when I wanted to slow down, and vice-versa!
The low voltage is also a problem, especially with my 773s. You can't get anywhere near 300 watts out if you can't get the voltage that your locomotive needs to draw enough current. Now I use a couple of (heavily modified) Lionel Zs.
Bob Nelson
Bob,
I agree on all your comments! The "deadman" control is great but the reverse operation is akward at best.
Jim, any thoughts on rebuilding the innards on my old 8B transformer?
The 15B is a great transformer to run original Gilbert trains. I have several of the 15B's as well as 17B's and 19B's. The 19B is nice because it has a volt meter and an ammeter. The 15B was rated 16V output at 115V primary. with modern house power voltage at 120V or slightly higher the 15B may output up to 17V. When running an original Gilbert steam engine with 4 lighted passenger cars there is no discernable difference between a 15B and the 300W 19B. The total current draw for that train is under 2.5A for the engine and under 2A total for all the cars. This is not Lionel, the passenger cars are illuminated with one bulb and a well maintained engine will derail on curves operating above 12V.
I always use a separate transformer for the high wattage accessories such as the Gilbert turnouts and illuminated accessories.
Regarding a recommended modern transformer the MRC PurePower transformers are a good choice. If the layout has any engines with the original Gilbert air chime whistles and horns a pure sine wave transformer is required. Any harmonics in the output will be reproduced in the air chime speakers causing them to sound continuously. I use an MRC AH101 270W dualpower transformer with the tethered remotes. This transformer has a "chopped" or phase angle controlled output. I have disconnected the speakers in the engines and tenders I run on that layout. The air chime whistles actually sounded better with the transformer harmonics than with the original vibrator tube controllers.
From my very limited Lionel experience I would not recommend Gilbert transformers to operate Lionel trains. Many of the engines seem to want more than the nominal 15V output of the Gilbert transformers.
Is a repair or to refurb a working transformer?
If a reapir, unless it is something simple, or the transformer in question is special in another way, or you just want someing to do, get another 8B. They go cheap and are very common.
With that said, my experience the most common problems are the handle is loose or probably the circute breaker is stuck or bad. Try putting a jumper around the CB and see if the transformer works. If it does work try manually resetting CB. If you need a CB PM me I've got a few in my parts box I think you can have.
Sturgeon-Phish Rich, Is a repair or to refurb a working transformer? If a repair, unless it is something simple, or the transformer in question is special in another way, or you just want someing to do, get another 8B. They go cheap and are very common.
If a repair, unless it is something simple, or the transformer in question is special in another way, or you just want someing to do, get another 8B. They go cheap and are very common.
Is there a way to test the transformer output? A voltmeter, perhaps?
When I resurrected my two American Flyer locos from a 45-year period in storage back in 2010, with your help and that of a few other forum members, I abandoned the original reversing unit in the tender of the steamer in favor of a Dallee Reversing Unit. I also replaced the worn down motor brushes but the original commutator and armature remain in place, albeit in cleaned up fashion.
On my 1957 switcher, the entire guts of the motor/reversing unit were beyond repair, so I replaced the motor/reversing unit with a Dallee Can Motor Conversion Kit.
The switcher runs great, but the steam engine runs a little slow. I realize that it is not necessary to run the steamer at the highest possible speed, but I did it at age 7, so why not now? LOL
Any advice?
Rich, it is easy to check with a volt meter. First check the wall outlet, it should read about 120V. If so, plug in the 8B and check the base post to 15V post. It should be about 16V with 120V on the primary. Then check base post to the 7V-15V post. With the handle off it should be zero, as you rotate the handle the reading should jump to about 7V then max out at the same 16V as the fixed voltage post. Now put the steam engine on the track that seems to be running slow and set the 8B to full voltage. With the engine running measure across the rails. It should be at least 14V.
You now know if the problem is in the engine or the transformer or possibly a high resistance connection such as at the 690 track clip. If there is a high resistance somewhere in the connections the diesel can still run fast because they typically draw less current than a steam engine.
If the track voltage seems ok stop the engine and spray a little electrical contact cleaner on the face of the commutator. now see how it runs. If noticabley faster then the issue is the commutator needs resurfaced, the brushes or brush springs need replaced or the thin spacer washers on the commutator shaft are incorrect causing the assembly to run slow or not be centered in the field.
Laurastom is correct in the troubleshooting, but it may hard to keep the steamer on the track at 14V+. What I use is an ammeter, go back to the pics of the control panel and test rig. The black box on the test rig holds a voltmeter and an ammeter. Does the 8B get warm as you are using it with a particular engine? If so start looking into the engine in question. The AF manual says that the typical steamer should not draw more than 2.1 amps while pulling 4 box cars at the speed of 9 revolutions around a 140" oval of track. When you see >2.5 amps, there is something up, needing lubing, cleaning out old gunk, carpet fiber or dog hair. From there cleaning the commutator face and segments, and making sure the brush springs are not too long pushing the brushes too hard onto the commutator.
One possibility is that the steam locomotive's aftermarket reversing unit is dropping the voltage a little. It is possible to do the job of the original unit with no drop, usually by using relays to switch the armature polarity; but it can also be done, probably more cheaply and in a smaller package, with solid-state devices and a small penalty in voltage, perhaps a volt or two. Do you have any technical information about your reversing unit?
I don't have my American Flyer out at the moment so I need to go down to the basement and set up some track. I will do that this weekend and report back.
Thanks for all of the good advice.
younglionel Just bought some Lionel stuff that included some interesting pieces. I know some about Lionel trains but happen to be clueless regarding AF. Could someone tell me if the 15B trasformer is a sought after model? What is the approximate value? It has the original cord (which is brittle) but the box is present (rough condition) but the transformer itself is in very nice condition! Tied to find a value on fleabay but came up empty handed. Thank you!
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