1043 transformer question

[Taranwanderer]

Done. Decision made once I figured out that the acc. power terminal is putting out, like 19V for the 022s. 12-15 lights, eh? I wonder how many LEDs it might be able to power instead of regular mini-bulbs. Hmmmm...:) That's a little ways down the road on this layout, anyway...

[lionelsoni]

Because there are only two terminals, it doesn't matter which terminal goes where.  Connect one to the fixed-voltage plugs, the other to something connected to the outside rails.

Wiring the 1043 out of phase with the track transformer will reduce the voltage drop in the outside rails somewhat.  The voltage between the fixed-voltage plug and the center rail will indeed be 17 volts more than the track transformer's voltage; and the most it could be is about 42 volts if you are using a type-Z transformer turned all the way up to 25 volts for the track.  It's unlikely that you would get yourself across that; and I wouldn't call it a "very high voltage" anyway.  I just connected a 1033 in series with a Z this way and gripped the 40-plus volts very firmly with my two hands.  I didn't feel a thing.

[ADCX Rob]

Taranwanderer

I just rewired a new power cord onto a 1043 I got at an auction, and it works great, puts out 16.9V at the max. I'm thinking of either (a) using it to power the lights in my houses, or (b) using it as a separate power supply to power my 022 switch motors...

 

Use it for lights.

It will power 12-15 lamps at it's full rated 3 amps output, equivalent to 7 022 switches without actually switching them.  The switch motors will take it over the top quickly and give sluggish performance.

Rob

[servoguy]

 All of the Lionel transformers are isolation transformers.  What this means is that it doesn't make much difference how you wire the outputs.  However, there are some things to watch out for.  If you connect one side of two transformers together, you may have a very high voltage between the other two terminals on the two transformers.  This depends on the phasing of the transformers.  If they are in series when you connect them, you could have as much as 40-50 volts between the two terminals which are not connected together.  If that is the case, I suggest you reverse the leads on your 1043 transformer, and the voltage will then be only a few volts.

Bruce Baker

[Taranwanderer]

I just rewired a new power cord onto a 1043 I got at an auction, and it works great, puts out 16.9V at the max. I'm thinking of either (a) using it to power the lights in my houses, or (b) using it as a separate power supply to power my 022 switch motors (2). So, my question is, if I use it to power the switches, does it matter which terminal goes where? As in, does the 1043 have a "U" terminal and an "A" terminal, or doesn't it matter when I wire it into my track's power? I know the 022s are being grounded from my KW, but the motors need a "hot" feed into the CV plugs from either an A/B or accessory terminal or from a separate transformer. Or should I just stick with using the 1043 to light my houses? Advice appreciated! Thanks.