Transformers

[retired not tired]

Can you safely use an old American Flyer transformer on todays HO trains?

[richg1998]

NO. Transformers put out out AC voltage. HO uses DC voltage. Maybe for layout lighting, maybe.

Rich

[maxman]

retired not tired

Can you safely use an old American Flyer transformer on todays HO trains?

 

It depends on what you are calling a "transformer".  If what you have is a transformer that was used for American Flyer S gage trains, then the answer is no.  If you have one of those AF PikeMaster controllers that was used for their HO trains, that's a different story.

[cacole]

American Flyer S-scale trains ran on AC power.  HO scale trains run on DC power.  You cannot use the old AF transformer for anything except perhaps twin-coil switch machines or layout/building lighting that uses incandescent bulbs.

[retsignalmtr]

You can use the AC accessory portion as a power supply for a DCC system.

[BroadwayLion]

Oh heck, of course you can use an American Flyer transformer on a DC layout. You just run the output through a full-wave rectifyer.

 Dad converted all of our AF stock to DC operations.

ROAR

[cacole]

retsignalmtr

You can use the AC accessory portion as a power supply for a DCC system.

 

 

I don't think the AF transformer puts out enough Amperage to be used as a power supply for a DCC system except perhaps a really basic one such as the Bachmann EZ DCC that has only one Amp output, and it already has its own power supply.

 

[rrinker]

Depends on which one. AN 80 watt transformer is 5 amps at 16 volts, plenty. The small 25 and 30 watt ones that came in the smaller sets, no. The big Lionel ones were 190 and 250 watts. Enough for a couple of boosters. I'd be more concerned about the condition of the power cord and internal insulation on things that old, though.

         --Randy