Lionel CW 80 Transformer Fuse Replacement

[mgbbob]

I have a friend that is just getting into Lionel and he has a CW80. The hobby shop has replaced two of the transformers and now he is having a problem with blown fuses on the third. a couple of questions. 1......Is there a problem with this transformer? 2......Is there an external circuit breaker what could be wired in to eliminate the blown fuse problem? thanks, Bob

[Stevereeno]

Most likely it is the problem if the green light does not come on when you plug in.

I would not recommend taking all apart just separate the wires and install a new fuse. The old one remove with razor blade the old shrunk heat tubing then unsolder old fuse.

Everyone has their opinion on if it should be fixed, but these are the fuses and link to buy the ones I used on Ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5x-8-Amp-8A-250V-AXIAL-GLASS-Fuses-Fast-Blow-GMA-8a-F8a-8-amp-250v-8-Amp/151141313890?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I installed it and they work perfectly on 2 CW-80 transformers.

You may have to extend the wires to the fuse so you can maneuver final soldering of fuse and you do need shrink tube.

Make sure you number or identify the wires when you separate and even take pictures with your phone so you know how it is supposed to be reassembled.

It works perfectly despite what some may say that it is not repairable or should not be.

I would also replace the tamper proof screws if you have to do again

You need just a small straight edge screwdriver head to remove them rather than spend money on special head.

 

cheers

[ADCX Rob]

wrmcclellan

...If I read it correctly one of the OGR posters suggested using a slo-blow fuse vs a fast blow.

Stick with the 8 amp fast blow. They seem to forget the CW80 (electronics) is rated for 5 amps.

Although the CW "is rated for 5 amps", that's the output, which is limited electronically. The 8 amp fuse is to protect the transformer core(a powerful 8+ amp unit). When at or near "foldback" mode at 5 amps output, a higher current is intermittently drawn from the core often resulting in that cheap fuse blowing way too soon. A slow-blow fuse(or better yet - the circuit breaker mod that many have done) will address this issue to satisfaction.

[Boyd]

Could this be a fix for one of my CW-80’s which is now a door stop? 

[Stevereeno]

Thanks

fixed before your response and it works perfectly.

Cheers

[wrmcclellan]

The fuse in the CW80 was not meant to be user serviceable and it was built in China. It is soldered in line and shrink wrapped as the OGR article states. If I read it correctly one of the OGR posters suggested using a slo-blow fuse vs a fast blow.

Stick with the 8 amp fast blow. They seem to forget the CW80 (electronics) is rated for 5 amps.

[Stevereeno]

Also I measured the one that I removed from my CW80 is 5mm X 20mm.

[Stevereeno]

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/cw-80-transformer-problem

 

The gentleman who started discussion mentions the specs just below the pictures.

 

Cheers

[lionelsoni]

It's a little odd that it would have a metric fuse.  Is the bad fuse actually 20 millimeters long?  But the 240-volt rating is also odd.  It should work; but 120 would be adequate.  Can you give us the text or a link to the article?

[Stevereeno]

I recently read an article regarding replacement of CW 80 fuse.

I have confirmed that my problem with transformer is burned out fuse and ready to replace.

In this article it indicates that the replacement fuse is an 8A 240V 20mm long fuse fast burn.

I am just wanting to know if this is correct fuse and will it work, or should it be something else as cannot read the specs on fuse that burned up.

 

Cheers

 

Steve