Williams 150 Watt transformer

[cnjcomp]

Received a Willams 150 watt transformer today and hooked it up to some fastrack to test it with some of my engines. Transformer has two outputs one variable from 0 to 16 volts, and a 12 volt constant for accessories. Unit is equiped with an on/off switch, bell button, whistle button, brake button, and direction button. I tested the following engines:
Lionel 2025 with air whistle tender.
Lionel 763 Hudson with air whistle tender.
Lionel TMCC/Railsounds Penn Berkshire.
Lionel Penn RS-3.
Williams 2056 Hudson
Williams 2330 GG1
Williams GP9 JC
Williams JC Berkshire.
All worked fine except for the 2025 and 763. both had the same problem. The air whistle constantly blew, and could not be shut off. The TMCC Berkshire ran great in conventional mode, and I was able to control all engines down to a very slow speed. The brake button was nice and has the same effect as the momentum control on the MRC HO transformers. I'm happy with this unit, and plan on keeping it.

[phillyreading]

How much did the Williams transformer cost?
I have several Williams locomotives and really like their porformance. Williams is making track for O gauge but I didn't know about Williams making transformers.
I just bought a Z1000 MTH transformer for $90.00 in Miami, the transformer has one output and up to 100 watts of power, a bell button, whistle button and direction buttton.
Already had to reset the circuit breaker.
The 2025 and 763 sound like post-war locomotives and may not behave properly with some of the newer transformers as they use a differant version of DC output for the whistle, try an older transformer like the KW or ZW from the 60's and you should be fine.
The brake feature is not something that every manufacturer has on their transformer.
Is that like the brake feature for the old Aroura HO race cars used to have?
Lee Fritz

[poppyl]

Does anyone know the amperage that the circuit breaker is set for?

Poppyl

[Jumijo]

I truly believe there is no panacea as far as transformers go. Each does some things well. Some do many things well. None of them do everything well.

Jim

[Anonymous]

That sounds about right.

[cnjcomp]

The 150 watt Williams transformer lists for $149.95, but they had a sale for Platinum members that gave you 20% off until 3/31/06. So with shipping the transformer was 129.95. If you join their club you will receive evey month or so a flyer listing current products and quite often specials such as buying a Berkshire at list and getting the corresponding passenger set or four or five freight cars free. Another great offer was pre-ordering a semi scale GG1 for $149.00. At $25.00 a year for membership you receive not only their flyers, but you also get your choice of a freight car or caboose.

[jkerklo]

I am not familiar with a "brake" feature on AC transformers. Does the button change the power applied to the track or does it activate something in selected engines?

[phillyreading]

I am familiar with the HO race car version of the brake feature, what that does is supply the nuetral to both output wires while the button is pushed(momentary contact) and could be the same for the Williams transformer, I did not say it is the same as the HO version.
The Williams club sounds like what K-Line used to do for their members, a nice idea.
I sort of broke the budget for trains for this year already with an MTH purchase last monday in north Miami FL.
Lee Fritz

[lionelsoni]

It is possible to make a permanent-magnet DC motor stop quickly by shorting its terminals together. If you have used an electric lawnmower, you may have noticed the difference between releasing the handle and unplugging the mower. In the former case, a switch in the handle disconnects the AC to the rectifier and shorts the DC motor. There is no simple equivalent for AC motors. Even a DC motor supplied from a rectifier, as in modern toy locomotives, is unaffected by shorting the track voltage.

[ADCX Rob]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lionelsoni

There is no simple equivalent for AC motors.

I don't know how simple or complicated they are, but any $99.00 Delta miter saw has an electronic brake...

My Sunbeam electric lawnmower has no blade braking whatsoever.

Rob

[lionelsoni]

Saws usually use (AC) induction motors. I would guess that your saw switches from AC to DC on the motor for a second or two to accomplish braking. Not too complicated, but not as simple as shorting the motor leads.

I've never had a Sunbeam; but all the Black and Deckers I've had used a shorting switch in the handle.

[RRaddict]

I know this post is old but I won one of these transformers on Ebay for 10.00. I have kid who is just getting into trains so I am throwing together a starter set for him and the transformer was the last thing he needed.  The only thing I don't know about is if this is a self contained transformer or does it need a power pack like the MTH power packs?  The guy said he doesn't have the power cord for it but he is not a train guy so he knows nothing about it.  Does anyone know what it does take as I haven't gotten it yet I would just like to know what I am in for.

Kevin

[ADCX Rob]

RRaddict

I know this post is old but I won one of these transformers on Ebay for 10.00...  Kevin

Did you buy a Williams, or a Jefferson?

[RRaddict]

It is a Williams just like the one this post describes.