Lionel C80 Transformer

[krapug1]

From some prior threads, there seems to be some problems with the 80 Watt Lionel Transformer C80.

I have one that came with the Erie Hobo Set, it works except there is a delay with the E-Unit Control. It takes about 5-10 seconds for the E-Unit to engage
after the botton is activated. I am used to the E-Unit engaging almost immd.
after the botton is pushed. It also does not matter what engine is used with the C80, the delay is always there.

Is this one of the quirks with this transformer???

Thanks

Ken

[ChiefEagles]

My understanding it is not a quirk. It is intended to do that. Now from a thread on OGR, I understand the ones with the date 8/04 on the bottom have problems.

[Anonymous]

While not strictly an on-point reply to the question at hand, I decided to post here because this thread is currently short, and it seems useful to relay something "official" about the CW-80 out to the members of this forum ASAP.

I spent most of 1/3/05 researching this transformer, using the "advanced search" capabilities of this and the other major three-rail forum. In addition, I did as thorough a search as I could on Google.com. In the end, I remained uncertain as to what was proper and safe, both to personnel and equipment.

The question was how to use the CW-80 to run a train on the track (Variable voltage posts A-U) and at the SAME TIME use the "programmable fixed-voltage" posts (B-U) to power the "fixed voltage plugs" for turnouts such as the O22, so that they could be operated independently of the track voltage.

I found a number of creative solutions which apparently work. I will not repeat them here because they conflict with the answer that I had received earlier from Lionel Tech Services; namely, that the CW-80's post A and U are the "throttle" posts; and that Post A goes to the center track, and post U goes to the outside track.

So I e-mailed Lionel Tech Services and asked how to hook-up the fixed voltage plugs on the turnouts to Posts B-U. The answer, which I received, and which I pass along as "official," is that YOU CANNOT DO IT.

I read this as a caution, because some of you have clearly figured out a way to do it that works -- at least temporarily. The reason NOT TO DO IT has to do with "high-voltage" and "equipment sensitivity." The response did not specify whether the transformer, the turnout, the operator, or some combination, is at risk.

The response goes on to suggest using another transformer to power the fixed-voltage plugs.

wolverine49

[Buckeye Riveter]

Did someone die?[:(]

[Anonymous]

In response to Buckeye Riveter:

I certainly would NOT read anything like that into it. I intend to run my CW-80 as recommended by Lionel Tech Services. Others can heed their advice or not, of course.

Nor do I expect to comment further on the pros or cons of this transformer. I own two of them and so far they both work perfectly, when used as directed.

wolverine49

[Anonymous]

The CW-80 has had its share of debate and misunderstanding on this forum as well as the other popular O gauge forum. Evidently there was a bad batch produced in 04 that are being replaced as we speak. Hopefully hobby shops and dealers can stop any further proliferation of the “bad batch” problem by replacing the transformer with a known good product at the point of sale especially when sold in new train sets. I hate to see children disappointed by poor toy train performance. As for the “quirks” we have come accustom to with the CW-80, we have to realize these quirks are actually operating features deliberately designed into this new transformer. The ramp-up and ramp-down voltage effect produced by the direction button is actually beneficial to many of the mid-priced Lionel locomotive units (especially those built without flywheels). This delayed action to the reversing unit actually saves the plastic gears inside the engine from being stripped when to much power is applied over short period of time when the engine is hauling many cars. We are accustom to the operation of every transformer built before this one where the activation results were instantaneous, now we need to relearn some things. Another unadvertised feature is the ability to regulate a slow moving loco without tripping the reversing unit using the throttle. I purchased one of these units at York in 03 thinking it could replace my 1033 for use on temporary layouts and was surprised by the performance. Lionel could have done a better job describing these features in the CW-80 operating manual. Ray F.