How to wire a lionel 81 rheostat

[pennytrains]

I've always wondered how it worked considering my super motored #8 needing at least 22 volts to move at all.

[ADCX Rob]

madman

I discovered that the voltage range put out through the rheostat, wasn't fine enough for the task.

That's because, as you have discovered, the rheostat is a current limiting device rather than a voltage reducing device.

As the load in the circuit rises, the effect of limiting the current will be a drop in voltage, but this will not manifest in your light duty application.

If you power a single #53 lamp with the rheostat, you will find that it does not dim the lamp at all.

[madman]

I recently aquired a #95 rheostat.  I thought of using it in conjunction with my ZW transformer in order to slow down a few post-war accessories, without having to adjust the ZW throttle.  However, through experimentation I discovered that the voltage range put out through the rheostat, wasn't fine enough for the task.  

[Firelock76]

Penny Trains

 

Wow, that's impressive.  Like a corner of Castle Frankenstein.  All those antique electrics...

[lionelsoni]

ljliberto, I don't have a picture to show you.  But, if I did, it would just show two wires, each wire connected to one of the only two terminals of the rheostat.  See my post above for what the other ends of those wires would be connected to.

[Penny Trains]

[ljliberto]

Can you take close up picture of your 95 with the wires attached?  I just bought one and want to make sure I am connecting it correctly.

 

BTW, I love the Lionel logo on your table.

[Penny Trains]

Yeah, but most supermotors didn't have battery acid leaked on them!    I did the best I could, but it's far from perfect.    It also wobbles! 

[Toy Trains FTW]

Ok @lionelsoni I guess thats why they stopped using them lol and @penny Im probably going to mount mine to a piece of wood with a transformer.  I also have a type K and love it alot but im currently using a type T... Woah 24 volts for the im assuming an 8(e)?  My 402 runs at 3/4s of the way on my rheostat with a max setting of 18v lol(love the box cab btw)

[Penny Trains]

I use the 95's (but that's really only because I don't have any 81's.  ) but they work the same except the 81 has a lever and the 95 has a button.  The 88 is another story because that was designed for use with batteries and doesn't have a cover over the coil.  Anyhoo, if I can't mount them to the layout, I use a small block of wood and extra long wire to act as a "remote throttle". 

The standard gauge is wired to a type K 150 watt transformer set at 24 volts by the way.  It's the only way I can get this basket case motor moving! 

P.S. That's "Mount Saint Garage Sale" over on the right restricting my standard gauge to an "around the legs" layout.

[lionelsoni]

But keep in mind that it's normal for it to get hot, which is why it's wound on that ceramic rod and covered with the metal cage.

[Toy Trains FTW]

alright so i was supposed to use the rheostat on the hot/red wire.  Thanks!

[lionelsoni]

Connect the transformer common terminal to the outside rails.  Connect the other transformer terminal to one of the rheostat terminals.  Connect the other rheostat terminal to the center rail.

[Toy Trains FTW]

I recently purchased an 81 rheostat and I dont really know how to wire it.  It is complete and I was screwing around and wired it to the ground wire from my transformer and it seemed to work but it got really hot after 10 minutes from under 18v.  Did I do this right or am i supposed to wire it thru the hot wire?  Also Becky if you see this I saw an article about you in a ctt magazine lol