How to connect a Lionel 1033 90 Watt transformer

[Anonymous]

First, forgive my ignorance - I've only been doing this a short time 'cause my 2.5 year old loves trains.

I just bought a second transformer, a Lionel Multicontrol 1033. I don't know how to connect it but I remember that the gentlemen who sold me my original MTH transformer told me that I had to connect it correctly or risk "frying" the electronics.

So, the 1033 has four terminals, I'm guessing two for each control (one for speed the other for direction and the whistle).

If anyone can provide guidance I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thank you,
Devin

[Leon Silverman]

You might want to post this question under the "Classic Toy Trains" magazine column. Those people would be more familiar with the Lionel Transformers.

[Big_Boy_4005]

[#welcome] to the forum. It's a good thing you asked, because your assumption is quite flawed. The whistle and direction handle on the 1033 has nothing to do with the terminals on the back of the unit.

What you want to do is to connect the terminal marked U to the center rail, and the one marked A to the outside rail. The other combinations yield different voltages which should be marked on the back of the unit.

The direction control works by dropping the voltage on the rails to 0 which causes the reversing unit in the engine to cycle. The whistle control adds a small DC voltage to the AC track voltage, and triggers the whistle or horn in any units so equipt.

If this is the only transformer you are using to power the track, you should have no trouble. If you are adding this transformer to another, there are precautions that need to be taken.

Tell us more about your layout, and we can make informed wiring recommendations.

P.S. Leon is quite correct about the CTT forum being the best place to ask questions about 3 rail trains. However some of us do get around.[swg]

[BR60103]

I'm not sure about the MTH transformer, but the 1033 doesn't have any electronics to fry.
The only trick with the 1033 (and other Lionels of that vintage) is to get them in phase. Basically, you need to have the AC on all the transformers going up at the same time and then down at the same time. This allows you to cross insulated joints between blocks. The procedure was to wire up two transformers to neighbouring blocks. If there was a spark crossing from one block to the next (over the center rail) one of the transformers had to have its wall plug reversed.
U-A are the main terminals, giving the full range of power. U-B give a lower range of power. (Listed on the top of the transformer, unless it's worn away). A-C and B-C give constant voltages. U-B is handy if you want to allow youngsters to run trains, but limit the speed.

[Anonymous]

With Lionel transformers the U terminal is the common. A, B, C, and D (if applicable) are all different circuits such as on a ZW transformer. A and U would be the choice for what you are needing with that particular transformer.