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ac/dc

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ac/dc
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 23, 2005 4:17 PM
I just received my first box of 1950's loinel trains I got on ebay. there was a small d/c transformer in the box {not lionel}. will this run the trains or should I be using an a/c transformer?
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Posted by lionelsoni on Friday, December 23, 2005 4:26 PM
What locomotives do you have? Lionel did make some that ran only on DC. On the other hand, those that run on AC will run on DC too--but the whistle, if any, will blow continuously.

Bob Nelson

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Posted by dwiemer on Friday, December 23, 2005 10:11 PM
John,
As mentioned above, it depends on the motor of the particular locomotive. I would try to get a new transformer anyway. Something that will handle the load and have a fast blow fuse should you have a short. Keep the old DC transformer as this would be good for lights, etc. Take care, Dennis

TCA#09-63805

 

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Posted by csxt30 on Saturday, December 24, 2005 10:57 AM
This may not be too relevent, but I have the Crayola train & it is I believe DC, but I had it running on AC. hOPE i don't burn it up, though.
Thanks, John
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Posted by ben10ben on Saturday, December 24, 2005 11:45 AM
John,
The Crayola train can run okay on DC, as it has an e-unit with an integrated rectifier. You only run into problems with older cheap engines that have no e-unit, such as the engine in the LASER train.
Ben TCA 09-63474
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Posted by csxt30 on Saturday, December 24, 2005 11:57 AM
Thanks Ben ! I often wondered about this one & wanted to keep it going for the Grandkids.
Thanks again, John
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 24, 2005 11:38 PM
thanks guys. The loco runs on the dc unit but not much power. I am sure the d/c unit is weak. 1 extra light bulb lit will slow the train down. I have a couple of 40"s/50's transformers coming I think 80 or 90w. I also purchased a new cw80. can't wait to get them.
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Posted by lionelsoni on Sunday, December 25, 2005 10:09 AM
The DC power supply probably puts out the voltage suitable for HO trains, which is 12 volts. Lionel transformers generally put out at least 16 volts; and the older ones go up to 25. As you have found, 12 volts is enough to move the locomotive without much of a load; but more would be better. A good replacement would be the 1033, a well-designed and durable postwar transformer that is not very hard to find at a reasonable price.

Bob Nelson

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