1033 Hookup

[lionelsoni]

While the wiring of this transformer advocated on page 21 of the October, 2011, CTT by "Joseph L. Mania" (if that is his real name!) will run the trains and simple accessories, it has two disadvantages:

o  The whistle control will not operate the whistle of a modern locomotive that expects a positive DC voltage on the center rail.

o  There is no practical way to operate an accessory like a crossing gate or block signal from a control rail.

The U terminal of Lionel's multiple-output transformers was meant to be connected to the outside rails; but, for single-output transformers like the 1033, it works better on the center rail.  This gives the expected positive center-rail voltage for the whistle or horn.  It also allows the C terminal to power an accessory that is returned to a control rail.  Either the A or the B terminal (but not both!) should be connected to the outside rails generally as the layout common, according to whether 16 or 11 volts is wanted.

[gunrunnerjohn]

Actually, the 1033 was wired "upside down" from many of the Lionel transformers, so the U indeed is intended to go to the center rail. I seem to recall there is at least one other Lionel transformer with that wiring as well.

 

Of course, for most folks, running accessories is best accomplished by using a separate transformer...

[ADCX Rob]

gunrunnerjohn

Actually, the 1033 was wired "upside down" from many of the Lionel transformers, so the U indeed is intended to go to the center rail. I seem to recall there is at least one other Lionel transformer with that wiring as well...

EVERY other transformer is wired this way, except as Bob mentions above,  multi-train models(Z, V, ZW, VW, KW, SW).  The Type R, with two circuit breakers, is in a class of it's own(no "U" terminal).