My my kids were small, they were allowed to play with the trains on their own under the following circumstances:
1 - The transformer was plugged into a power switch, which they knew how to turn on and off.
2 - Any circuit coming off the transformer was wired with an external MANUAL RESET circuit breaker. The ones I used trip instantly on a short.
I used 1033 or 1044 transformers for the kids, they have internal breakers that trip fairly quickly, but they are auto reset, so I still used the external ones too.
That's good to know, Bridgeengineer.
Bob Nelson
I have a junked up 1053 you can salvage the cord from, it's intact. Shoot me a pm if you are interested.
The small Lionel transformers without circuit breakers are not safe, in my opinion. I had one set up for my grandson's use at their house. He was playing alone with the train in his room, and the train happened to derail. He just left it and came out and joined the rest of us. After awhile, we smelled it and I ran into his room. The transformer was smoking, and I disposed of it and substituted a better transformer.
Whether Lionel designed their smaller transformers to be impedance protected, I don't know; but they certainly may have.
I don't know either.
Lionel introduced the #92 circuit breaker in 1959, described as follows:
New! No 92 Circuit Breaker-Controller - The manual reset circuit breaker prevents overloading of transformers which do not have built-in circuit breakers. May also be used as a direction controller to reverse the direction of a locomotive.
It is not always necessary to have a circuit breaker or fuse on a small transformer or motor. At its output terminals, a transformer looks electrically like a voltage source in series with an impedance, which is mostly an inductance in series with a resistance. When the output terminals are short-circuited, the current that flows is limited by that impedance; and the power that the transformer dissipates as heat is proportional to the square of the current multiplied by the resistive component of the impedance. The smaller the transformer, the greater the impedance is likely to be, and therefore the smaller the heat that must be dissipated. When the transformer is small enough, this may happen without damaging the transformer. This is called "impedance protection" and it is not uncommon for small transformers ("wall warts") and motors. Whether Lionel designed their smaller transformers to be impedance protected, I don't know; but they certainly may have.
Kgstones, If you got to the main page on Olsen's website, scroll to bottom of that page, there is long banner across the bottom. On the far right, you will find the "Library" link. Click on that word, and you are now at the Library section. It gives you access to both Prewar, Postwar, Standard gauge. Make sure to Bookmark it. It is the best resource to a Repair Manual, if you don't own one.
All of the small Lionel transformers from Postwar under 60 watt never had circuit breakers. There is no room because of the size of Bakelite case.
One thing to note is that the 1015 transformer does not have a circuit breaker in it. It is astounding that a transformer was built in the late 1950s without one - but there it is. Was a little surprised when I found one I bought many years ago, went to test the circuit breaker, and nothing happened. Use with caution.
IT consultant by day, 3rd generation Lionel guy (raising a 3YO 4th generation Lionel Lil' Man) by night in the suburbs of the greatest city in the world - Chicago. Home of the ever-changing Illinois Concretus Ry.
Rob, got it! Thanks for the diagram. I wasn't able to pry it apart through the slots on the bottom plate but found that if I gently pried at the bottom two sides and rocked it as you mentioned it finally loosened up. Thanks to all for your help!
Mickey
The 1015 is very similar to these models in construction.
The base plate slides off with a friction fit, the handles and terminals stay on the top assembly. Use a firm rocking/pulling motion to separate the parts.
Rob
I went to the olsentoy.com site and couldn't find the library you mentioned.
I'd like to either see the diagram of the transformer or get advice from someone who has opened one of these up and can remember for sure how to do it. Part of the problem is that I'm wondering how the top terminals and the voltage control come off or if they even have to. Perhaps they stay put and are part of the case that comes off.
I can't splice the cord as it's bad right where it comes out of the transformer.
I really don't need this transformer but I'd like to fix it. Occasionally I give small sets of trains I put together from odds and ends to kids and this transformer is perfect for that sort of thing.
Appreciate any help you guys may have, Mickey
kgstones I have a Type 1015 45 watt Lionel toy transformer with a bad power cord in a black plastic case with a metal bottom. It has two terminals on top with a lever that swings back and forth to control the voltage. I can't figure out how to get it apart to replace the power cord. There are no screws on the bottom but there are two openings that may allow prying open the case or releasing whatever holds the case on the metal base. Before I break it I thought I'd ask for help first. I'd appreciate help in getting it open so I can rewire it. I hope it's possible, thanks in advance, Mickey.
I have a Type 1015 45 watt Lionel toy transformer with a bad power cord in a black plastic case with a metal bottom. It has two terminals on top with a lever that swings back and forth to control the voltage. I can't figure out how to get it apart to replace the power cord. There are no screws on the bottom but there are two openings that may allow prying open the case or releasing whatever holds the case on the metal base. Before I break it I thought I'd ask for help first.
I'd appreciate help in getting it open so I can rewire it. I hope it's possible, thanks in advance, Mickey.
not the answer your looking for but you can get one with a cord and decent shape for about $15.00 including shipping on ebay . heres a couple of examples
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-1015-45-Watt-Multi-Volt-Transformer-Tested-/330552025656?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item4cf66fa238
this one you might just want to cut extra cord off and put a new plug on but still its only $10.00
one more a little more about $16 - $17
http://cgi.ebay.com/LIONEL-PW-Transformer-1015-WORKS-/190525256454?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item2c5c30b306
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Locate the Olsen web site - www.olsentoy.com. They have a library of Lionel service literature that you can search by product number. Most of these bullitens have an exploded diagram.
Working from memory, I think the case on the 1015 is a press on sort of deal. Gentle prying in the correct places opens it up.
Would be best if you saw the exploded diagram before you start prying, though.
Good luck.
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