I am trying to hook 4 O22 Lionel switches to Constant Voltage. I have wired 22 gauge solid wire to each "Voltage plug" and taken to accessory transformer. No results. Changed to other post on the transformer, no results. The plugs are installed properly, the transformer works ….. the switches do not power up. Does the gram power have to be on. I am stumped and need help.
Where is your accessory transformer connected to the rest of the layout?
Rob
If I understand your question … as present nothing is running off the accessory transformer. I have it wired to 2 "distribution blocks" under the table to which I will tie in accessories. And there is power to those blocks. Do appreciate your thoughts?
Are all of your transformers connected by a common ground and in phase with each other?
What specific transformers are you using for the trains and the switches?
Ok, I am new at this. The track is connected to KW transformer. Actually there are two tracks. One each is connected to the KW transformer. The accessory transformer is standalone.
And the accessory transformer is the Lionel unit rated at 1.8 amps.
It sounds like you have only one of the transformer wires hooked up.
I wrote a long post about fixing 022 switches. It is on this forum. Search "022/711 switch operating pblms" using Google. I recommend you go through you 022 switches and do everything I recommend in the post.
Make sure the constant voltage plugs are seat correctly, very easy to not have them installed properly.
Don't worry about having the accessory transformer in phase with the track transformer.
Bob Nelson
But it does have to be connected to the KW in addition to the switches.
Also, that 1.8 amp transformer will be enough to light the 8 bulbs in the switches & controllers, but not the bulbs and the switch motors.
Ok…..really appreciate everyones help as I am really a novice at this. I have read a lot …but… a novice.
Rob ….. I bought the 1.8 amp transformer to power accessories. So, are you saying I should do something different if I am also going to provide constant voltage to the switches. (which work fine on track voltage - I have cleaned them and all that),
Also…when you say that have to be connected to the KW …. how does that happen?
Thanks guys …so much
Are the two terminals of the accessory transformer connected, one to the plug on the 022, the other to the outside rails of the track (but not the 022's control rails, which should be isolated with insulating pins from the outside rails generally)?
No sir …..do I do that with a CTC connector….
And servo guy …..thanks ….. had read earlier. Did not see where it addressed this specific "lack of knowledge on my part"..
Thanks
rivesmRob ….. I bought the 1.8 amp transformer to power accessories. So, are you saying I should do something different if I am also going to provide constant voltage to the switches. (which work fine on track voltage - I have cleaned them and all that),
The "1.8" voltage is fine, it just doesn't supply enough current(it's only 1.8 amps - about thirty watts) to light all those bulbs and operate a switch coil.
Test your switch wiring first by trying them on the 20v tap of the KW for a few minutes, and confirm they all do work on fixed voltage.
Yes. You can connect the transformer to the outside rails with a CTC (terminal 2) or other lockon--or by connecting it to the terminal of the train transformer that is connected to the outside rails (which should be the KW's U terminal), or by connecting it to the center terminal of the 022 turnout, which is also connected to the outside rails.
Rob….ok I am closer to getting it. How about this:
- Currently I have the four (4) O22 switches connected to the accessory transformer (1.8 Amp). Following your advice I ran a line from the negative post of the transformer to the outer track and "i have lights".
- However, if I read you correctly, that will not be satisfactory for the switches due to the low amperage.
- Therefore, I am concluding that I need to run the switches off the constant voltage provided by the KW transformer. If that is correct and I connect the switches to the C or D post (which one) ….what do I connect to the other post. Do I need to run a line from it to the outer rail of the track. (remember I am a novice).
- Furthermore, I bought the accessory transformer for …well ….accessories. if it cannot supply 4 switches how "successful" will it be for accessories. Is it good for primarily the lighted accessories and that is it?
Sorry to be a bother….but do appreciate it. …
And also thanks to you Bob …. as well as Rob……
Here is a page from the book Track Layout and Accessory Manual page 40. This is a good book for beginners. See link
http://www.amazon.com/layout-accessory-manual-Lionel-trains/dp/0934580081
The drawing shows connection to a RW Transformer. The connections to other transformers may be different. See the table on bottom right for connections to other transformers such as your KW
Steve
The switch machine draws current only very briefly. Even though the accessory transformer may be maxed out with respect to how much current it can supply continuously, it will probably not even notice the brief current spike when you throw a switch. So, give it a try. If the 022s throw and the transformer can light the lamps without its circuit breaker's tripping, there's nothing unsafe about using it. (I'm assuming that you have a real transformer for the accessories, not a modern so-called "transformer", which may balk at providing that current spike.)
The track and the switch machine share a common return, which is the outside rails. That is why both transformers must have their common terminals connected to the same point, one way or another. If you use a fixed voltage from the KW as the accessory voltage, it already shares a common (U) with all the KW's other outputs, so you need only to add the wire from the accessory terminal to the 022 plugs.
Thanks to all that helped a novice out. I really do appreciate it….
Bob,
Does the new Lionel accessory transformer count as real? Or is that the modern transformer to which you refer…..
When I write about a real transformer, I mean one where the line cord and output terminals are connected to taps on an actual transformer comprising conductive windings on a magnetic core. All the postwar transformers are in this category, even though they may have circuit breakers, lamps, whistle controllers, meters, switches, and what-have-you included in the same box. When I put "transformer" in quotation marks, I mean a power supply that works on some other principle (like phase control) even though there probably is an actual transformer embedded in its interior, but not connected to the output terminals.
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