Hi, fellow enthusiasts!
A quick background about me and my hobby. I'm 52 years old and my love of Lionel trains goes back as far as I can remember, since my dad had made a layout for my older brother before I was born. Growing up we ALWAYS had some sort of a layout, typically on 8' X 8' or 8' X 12' dimensions. Some of the BEST times of my life were during those years, and I learned a lot from my dad about basic electricity and wiring, etc.
Time passes, life goes on, my father passes away and all the trains and accessories he'd collected as well as my own eventually find their way into storage. A common theme, I am sure. CLASSIC TOY TRAINS magazine, which I've been a subscriber of nearly continuously since the first issue, has been my 'bridge' to that era. EVERY issue has something that brings back a fond memory. Great stuff!
I decided to set up a small elongated oval under the Christmas tree this year, using FASTRACK to avoid issues with the carpeting. I have (1) KW and (1) type 1033 transformer that were relatively easy to get to (the other KW and the ZW are stored in another city). To my dismay, the power cord on the KW has TOTALLY disintegrated, extremely brittle to the point of falling apart in my hands. Luckily the 1033 is in great shape so that is what I am using right now.
I really want to fix the KW's power cord, but it has a cord I've not been able to find; it has 'LIONEL' on one side and the stylized 'L' on the other. Between the prongs it has the words 'CORDSLTD', and what appears to be '666W', and the UL copyright. I'd really like to find this exact cord if possible, I am assuming it was the original but I am not sure of that.
Any help in pointing me in the right direction would be much appreciated! I can send pictures or repost this in a more appropriate section if this isn't best. Thanks!
If you genuinely want the exact same cord, you will have to buy a transformer with a good cord and switch it over. Any transformer from the smallest on up that looks OK to you will work.
Or, you can buy a reproduction of sorts HERE.
Or, you can go to Dollar Tree(dollar store) today, buy a black or brown extension cord, cut the receptacle(female) end off, and solder it in. Grind or file the wide polarizing prong down to meet the other if you wish. There's nothing special about a KW cord.
Rob
Dittos to what ACDX Rob said, there's nothing special about a KW transformer cord. I've got a KW and the same thing happened, after 30-plus years the cord disintegrated. I replaced it myself but it was a PITB to figure out how to get the transformer shell off to do it. If there's a Lionel dealer in your area you may just want to spend the money and have them do it, that is if you don't have a "how-to" guide for transformer repair.
Thanks guys.
Yeah...I'll probably just order one of the reproduction B292 cords, but I would love to have an EXACT match to what was on there.
East Coast Train Parts has original cords, unused and no cracks (so says the parts list, anyway). But at $18.00 you'd better really want one!
I'll have to contact them. Interesting lack of total description on the website....
Thanks for the info!
I went to wal-mart over in the electrical section and they have some heavy duty cords with just the male end on it ready to be soldered in. I liked it as it was better than the $1 extension cords from dollar store. There not bad but wanted a little better. I think mine was like $6 or maybe $7 with tax I was replacing the cord for a ZW
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
KW's-ZW's-V-and Z transformers all used APPPLIANCE rated cords. that usualy ment the wire was 16/2 with a heavier outer insulation.( todays SPT-2 cords) the smaller ones up to 90 watts were safe with 18/2 wire.(today's SPT-1 cords.) using lamp cord and cut off extenions cords are a BIG NONO !!! there are many issues involved. Any compentent Repair station, for Legal reasons, should replace the cord on ANY transformer that is questionable. they could be held Liable for any problems if a cheap cord was used and also for not thoughly inspecting a transformer before putting out there for sale. (fires,kids burning thier hands from a hot cord etc.. dont laugh,have seen both in my life at train stores i have worked)
I have been repairing trains for over 30 yrs, and have seen so many butchered wire repirs in transformers it's scary. i have also seen on several occasions where Lionel and AF transformers 190W or higher were done with cheap wire had have the cords melted because of the current load. remember all these big transformers had 12 to 15 amp breakers in them, that is a lot of current for lamp cords and extention cords that are more suitable for the low wattage/current of a lamp or a radio.
so if you do it yourself, do it the right way the 1st time or don't do it at all.
be safe and have a Merry Christmas. Mike
The appearance of the plugs changed quite a bit over the years. East Coast Train Parts may have original cords, but that does not mean they will match your particular cord. You would need to contact them and ask.
I use the replacement cords sold by many parts dealers.
rrlineman...I have been repairing trains for over 30 yrs, and have seen so many butchered wire repirs in transformers it's scary. i have also seen on several occasions where Lionel and AF transformers 190W or higher were done with cheap wire had have the cords melted because of the current load. remember all these big transformers had 12 to 15 amp breakers in them, that is a lot of current for lamp cords and extention cords that are more suitable for the low wattage/current of a lamp or a radio...
Well, I've been into train repair for a bit longer, and I've never seen a Z or ZW fully loaded draw more than 3 amps through it's cord. Where on earth do you get 12-15 amps? That would be like 1800 watts at 120 volts, and we get 121-122 volts here in the shop.
the breakers in the Z-Zw's are 15 amps. K'w's and V's are 12amps. they were put there to protect the transformer more then to protect the trains. basic electricity, drop the voltage down and you raise the current. Raise the voltage and the current drops. that is how transmission lines work. as for the 3 amps at the cord, did you ever see a zw with a failed breaker? i have twice. the owners had a bad short in thier layout and too many accersories hook to the transformer. the breaker failed and was welded closed. not only did it almost set the layout on fire from the wires going red, it tripped the 15 amp HOUSE breaker. when they brought it in the cord had become sticky, the core was annealled along with the A&D arms. all the insulation sleeving inside was burnt to a cinder. total junk was all that was left. it took a lot of effort to break the contacts loose on the internal breaker.
Just because you haven't run across it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. that is why you have to be careful of the lead cord you use and if there is any question about the breaker, it should be replaced. A repairman has a responsability to make sure anything they sell or repair is safe. Lawyers and insurance Co's wil have a field day with you if anything should ever happen because you didn't repair it correctly.
No repair or preparation can account for that failure even with an original cord, and you are mixing primary current with secondary current.
I use extension cords I buy from Home Depot for about $1 for replacement cords. I do not file the prongs so they will go in either way, but rather polarize all of my transformers the same so If I am using two or more on a layout, the transformers are all polarized the same. I think these are 16 gauge extension cords, and should trip the 15 amp house breaker without overheating.
not gonna agrue over this. You guys have your expriences and i have mine. I was taught a certain way by the local guys when i was in my teens. that is the way i still work. what ever works for you, wish you the best of luck and may you never have a repair come back. Merry Christmas.
A repairman has a responsability to make sure anything they sell or repair is safe. Lawyers and insurance Co's wil have a field day with you if anything should ever happen because you didn't repair it correctly.
I think you are absolutely correct. Generally, one can tinker with the trains and accessories without imperilling life, limb and property. But servicing transformers is a different case because of the presence of house voltage. Even a relatively minor incident, such as receiving a merely unpleasant shock due to a defective transformer could permenantly sour a family on trains. Whenever I check out or service a transformer, I include an A.C. leakage test using a Simpson 229 specialty meter. The postwar Lionel test benches had a cursory test using a neon bulb. IMHO. anybody who is unfamilar with working on line voltage electrical items should leave transformer repairs to an experienced repair person.
thanks, i agree with you 100% !
Mike
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