Anyone used a inverter to get 110v 60Hz power?

[Nick12DMC]

Hi all,
Just a quick question from a newbe. For those of us stuck with 50Hz power.
Has anyone run a CW-80 from a 12v DC to 110V 60Hz AC inverter?
As I understand it I need to do the following:
220-240v 50Hz AC -to DC to 110v 60Hz AC
Anybody done this at reasonable cost?

Best Regards

Nick H

[lionelsoni]

I haven't done it. But I do want to let you know that 120 volts is now standard in the US. I actually use 110, from a large isolation transformer, because my train transformers are pretty old; but for a new model I would recommend 120, which is probably what is available anyway.

[willpick]

A 12Vdc to 120V 60hz inveter, especially the cheaper models, puts out a modified sine wave-- Your CW80 will probably work, but i'm not 100% sure. If i was going to do this, I'd buy an inverter that has at least twice the outpuut wattage-- ie: 150 Watts or 200 or more. This is so that the inverter stays cool.
For the 12Vdc source, the simplest way is a 12 volt car/motorcycle battery. you would be able to run for several hours, and then you can recharge it overnight, using a 12V car battery charger.
The reason I say to use a car battery is due to the input current that the inverter will draw--- at 120VAC, with a 1 amp output, the input at 12Vdc would be over 5 amps. I know this because i've used a 150W model in the aftermath of one of 2005's hurricanes, and I measured how much current i was drawing out of the batteries I was using.
A power supply capable of 5+ amps output at 12Vdc can be more expensive than the car/motorcycle battery.
Hope this helps[:)]

[tsgtbob]

Now, I have not operated modern trains from an inverter, but, in my Jeeps, I have inverters to run my computers in the field (Search and Rescue team)
I have ran a Mac Powerbook 1400, and a new G4 Powerbook with out any problems, and several other team members have charged their Dell laptops with my rig.
One question, where are you that you only have 50hz power? Stationed in Germany?
Now, I can't vouch for this idea, but Marklin runs off of AC, check the specs on their power supplies to see if they might work, right out of the wall outlet.

[Nick12DMC]

Hi,
Thanks for the info. I am in the UK. We were in the States for Xmas
and my son got a Sante Fe Fast Freight Set from "Santa".
(My Grandfather was American USAF retired to UK)

Thought it would be simple to use a 110v transformer but thanks to
Lionel not making the CW-80 50HZ compatable its causing all sorts
of problems with the sound system.[:(]
I hope their design guys get the message and make the next transformer
work on 50Hz as well as 60Hz.
Selling trains to the UK and Europe has to be good for Lionel and expand
their market share.

The little guy is not happy that his super train set does not work.
So I am looking for a fix.
Best Regards

Nick H