MTH 153 block signal & cw-80 transformer

[ADCX Rob]

steve24944

...on a CW-80 I would assume the black post is the common, same as the U post on a ZW.  I know there have been some issues with the Lionel CW-80 transformers...

The RED posts, "A" & "B", are common on the early CW(versions without a "G" in the date code).

[bogaziddy]

Thanks Steve and all who have responded and Yes!, I am using an insulated control rail and relay.

 The relay is a Scott's Odds and Ends DPDT-1 ( Potter & Brumfield K10P-11A15-12 ). As far as I know, it is an AC relay so I do not have it connected to a bridge rectifier. One thing that could be a problem which I've yet to determine is that my lock-ons may be installed opposing one another.

I'll check this out today and will refer to the link in your reply for a better understanding of the wiring scheme. I'll keep you all posted as to whether my efforts prove successful or not .

The Bogaziddy

[steve24944]

You are using a relay and control rail - not a 153C contactor - Right.  

What kind of relay are you using ?  I have several control rail blocks for signals - One side of the relay coil goes to the control rail, the other side of the relay coil I have wired to my accessory power from my ZW. On a ZW the U posts is the common, on a CW-80 I would assume the black post is the common, same as the U post on a ZW.  I know there have been some issues with the Lionel CW-80 transformers.  I'm not sure if those issues would matter here.  ( Bob Nelson, any input on this ? )   When the train wheels hit the control rail the relay coil closes and changes the contact to the signal from green to red.  Do you have a bridge rectifier in the circuit to change the AC track current to DC for the relay ?

See this web site  -  www.toytrainrevue.com

Hope this helps - Steve

[ADCX Rob]

bogaziddy

I'm using an older CW-80 transformer that has no Common Ground screw terminal. Is that the reason I'm unable to wire it successfully or does it make any difference whether or not there is a Common Ground terminal on the transformer?

On older CW's. the red posts("A" & "B") ARE common(Black "U" under "A" is train variable, Black "U" under "B" is programmable accessory variable).  This is likely the root of your issue.

[rtraincollector]

Will try this again had a complete message typed out then accidental deleted it by adding spell checker to this computer.

as long as the older cw-80 is working heres what you can do to check the 153 put one wire to the center terminal of the 153 then hook it to one side or the other of the transformer really doesn't matter. next hook another wire to the other terminal of the transformer and touch either out side terminals on the 153 and the red or the green light should come on matching to the terminal you touched the wire to. if all is well here then lets goto the wiring process

I'm guessing your using mth version of a 153c if so is there enough play in the track for it to operate correctly? 2nd is the adjusting nut adjusted correctly so when train runs over it on the track it has enough pressure to operate correctly. if yes to above

one wire from transformer goes to the side with just one wire connection of the 153C and one wire from the transformer goes to the center wire connection on the 153 block signal the other 2 connections on the 153c and the 153 are connected to either side of the 153 from either side of the 153C

and it should work.

[bogaziddy]

I'm having trouble wiring MTH's 153 Block Signal ( a reproduction of Lionel'soriginal 153 Block Signal ) using an insulated track section and relay. I've seen references to a 'Common Ground' being utilized in most of the wiring diagrams that I have looked at. I'm using an older CW-80 transformer that has no Common Ground screw terminal. Is that the reason I'm unable to wire it successfully or does it make any difference whether or not there is a Common Ground terminal on the transformer?

Is there anyone out there who has had similar difficulties? If you have successfully wired up this circuit  I would appreciate any suggestions that would solve this problem. Thanks in advance.

The High Bogaziddy