1033 transformer issues

[lionelsoni]

John appears to want 5-16 for the train and 11 for the accessories.  As long as none of the accessories are activated by a control rail, there is no problem with this.  The track and the accessories will not share a common.  The track can be powered by AU and the accessories by BC.  I think his original problem was in thinking that the accessories needed some connection to the track, when in fact they must not have a connection to the track if they are to be powered at 11 volts by the 1033.

We could be more certain about this if we knew what accessories you plan to use, John.

[brianel027]

John, the 1033 is my favorite, and in my opinion the best transformer Lionel has ever made - at least for the versatility on smaller layouts with either postwar or modern basic low end DC can motored locos.

This info should help you a little more.

With the A post as the common ground you can do the following:

A-U will put 5-16 volts to the train for running the trains. This may be best for an older postwar loco with an open frame AC motor. But Lionel did make some locos that run better with less power, so there is the B-U setting mentioned below. Then using A-C you will have a constant 16 volts of accessory power. Or using A-B you will have 5 volts.

With the B post as the common ground you will have the following.

B-U will put 0-11 volts to the track for running the trains. Then you can use B-c for a constant 11 volts of accessory power.

Bear in mind though, the more lights used on the accessory posts, and/or lighted cars on the train, the more power drain there will be on the transformer. The 1033 is rated at 90 watts, but it will carry a continuous load of about 60 watts.

Hope this helps some more.

[caribblue]

Thanks for the information folks! This will sort me out, john

[sir james I]

Look at the writing between the post and it will tell you what the voltage will be between them. You must run the two wires to these post to get that voltage. A-U are the best ones for running the train. Be aware that the fixed voltage post are on all the time. You cannot turn those off unless you use an on/off switch somewhere in the circuit.

[lionelsoni]

To run the accessories on transformer terminals other than those that are running the train, you must disconnect the accessories from the track and only then connect them to the terminals that you want to use.  The only exception to this occurs when one or the other of the terminals are common between the track and accessories, in which case that one connection can just as well be made at the track.  However, that is not the case for you, since you want to run the track from AU and the accessories from BC.

In summary, use only one lockon on the track, connected to A and U.  Wire the accessories directly to B and C on the transformer, with no connection to the track.

[caribblue]

Hi all, a newbie in trains and to this forum, forgive my ignorance,as this question has been asked and replied to here but doesnt seem to fix my situation. a post from another forum on this site, recommended to be posted here: Hi everyone and Happy Holidays! I have finally set up my set but can't remember the wiring. I have my U-A connection for the loco. The lockon is on the outside. My accessories are lockon mounted on the inside rails. The black lever operates the train with varying speeds as it should but accessory lights dim with reduced loco speed. I read another forum here and it suggested I use C-B for my accessories but I am unclear how to set this up. When I touch the wire to one of the terminals, it either powers the loco or trips the circuit breaker inside the 1033 transformer. I would like to run my lights, buildings, etc. on another circuit so the lights remain the same regardless of train speed. Thanks for any tips, I am very novice at this but this 1956 set has been with me my entire life. I am now 51. The set works perfectly, I had major service work done on the loco, tender, transformer, etc. a few year ago in Charlotte and it has been in storage since, until now. Thank you again, john