lionel CW80 transformer

[sanman0516]

I noticed when using the CW trans, I have to turn it up more than half way to get the train to run is this normal or is something wrong. I have 3 of them and they all do the same thing. But when turned up all the way they run fine. their are numbers on the transformer 10 to 100,the area in the transformer i am talking about is from 10 to 50. i also notice the arm goes pass the 100 or is the transformer just off.

[Anonymous]

Just checked mine, and it got the Beep and its 8-car train slo-o-o-wly moving at the 25 setting on the transformer. I didn't check it with a Lionel engine. Mine too will go past 100.

[ChiefEagles]

FYI: If your CW80 has 08/04 underneatth, you will probably have to replace it. Mine came with a Polar Express. Worked fine for a couple of times and then acted up. Had forgotten to call Lionel about it until yesterday. They are shipping another one. The 08/04 batch was a bad batch.

[sanman0516]

ChiefEagles
the date on the one that came with sant fe super fright is 12-10-2003-2this is on a red sticker but this is the second one the first one out of the box was bad brought it back to trainworld and they exchang it for me.
I have 2 more of them the second one date is 1104 if i am reading it right and the last one is 0603
can you tell me if they are ok or not

thank jack

[Anonymous]

I just got a replacement dated 12-12-03. The 1st one had to be hooked up backwards, for the accesory side to work. So does this one. The only difference is that the whistle button is super senitve on the replacement.
I think it is just a bad design. There is an earlier thread, that goes into what a POS they are.

Bob
I know the voices aren't real, but they do have some good ideas.....

[Anonymous]

I bought 6 sets at after Christmas on closeout. 2 out of 6 had bad CW-80's. But Lionel replaced them very fast. (2) had non working whistle buttons. Dave

[Anonymous]

I have only on CW-80 (came with a set), and I found it to be nicely designed from an appearance standpoint, but very problematic from the standpoint of operating trains of different makes. It now sits boxed-up in my train storage room, and will likely never see use again. I would use these transformers on my small O gauge layout if I felt I could trust them because I really like the outward appearance, but I have no confidence in their quirky operational characteristics.

[railfanespee4449]

I find the CW-80 makes up for reliability with smoothness of control

[jimhaleyscomet]

What engine are you running? If it is a modern design then not much power at all is required (25%-50%). If it is an older engine sometimes it takes almost the whole scale to get it running, especially if the engine needs lubrication.

Jim H

[Roger Bielen]

Check what the voltage is at different points on the dial. As Jim mentions some engines take a lot more to get rolling. Though I wondered why anyone would have a two piece transformer, 80BW power brick and controller, when I bought the granddaughters a set I guess I was lucky it wasn't the CW.

[sanman0516]

Jimhaley I am running all new eng. I have chalked them up to junk and i will have to buy a different power supply. maby new ZW

[philo426]

I have the BW-80(with the seperate brick)and have been lucky as it has performed well for 2 years.After hearing about all of the problems with the Cw-80 I will steer clear of it!

[Anonymous]

>>I have chalked them up to junk and i will have to buy a different power supply. <<

I have similar sentiments, and am considering the MRC Transformer. Just waiting to see if anybody has anything bad to say about it.

Bob
I know the voices aren't real, but they do have some good ideas.....

[jimhaleyscomet]

My new Beeps and K-line switcher take alot of throttle to get going because they are geared so low. I like the CW-80 with its soft start feature. However I do have two ZW's. I have only heard good things about the newer MRC transformer. Beware of slightly older ones that may be still "new" in the hobby shops. Be sure they specify full (not clipped) pure sign wave for best operation with

[laz 57]

I have 2 brand new CWs no problems.
laz57

[Anonymous]

I am using 2 for my small 5x8 layout with no problems (so far). However, after seeing 5 of them waiting for customer pick-up after repair at one of my train dealers, I may have re-thought buying one. Joe

[Anonymous]

I also have a BW-80 transformer, and my Williams FA's run very smooth with it. Is there any concern in running an MTH Loco with it? I just purchased a Reading 0-8-0 switcher and haven't ran it with the BW, just used my Z-750.
Michael[:)]

[Anonymous]

Since my earlier post, I've run a 1976-vintage Lionel GP-9 with the CW-80. The GP-9 requires a lot more juice to get moving than the Beep requires, so that confirms sanman's experience. On the other hand, I've had no problems at all with this transformer in the two years I've had it. I only run the trains occasionally, though, so I may not use it enough to really test it.