General Discussion (Model Railroader)

I am new to N scale. A local fella sold me a box of N scale stuff he had from when his dad died.  For $40 I got a bunch of track, diesel engine, bunch of cars, trees, a bridge...seemed reasonable.  However, in the box is this Lionel 1010 35 watt transformer.  It says for alternating current only.  Since I do not know much about trains yet and even less about Lionel, is this a DC power unit or something unique to Lionel?  Since it does not say DC anywhere on the casing, I am thinking this is not compatible for what I am doing!   Haven't been able to find much on the internet about it? It looks exactly like the picture of this one on eBay? Any advice would be appreciated.   http://cgi.ebay.com/LIONEL-TOY-MODEL-TRAIN-MULTI-VOLT-TRANSFORMER-TYPE-1010_W0QQitemZ200303772257QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090128?IMSfp=TL090128178010r1744 

 Thanks

Lionel transformers marked AC are in fact AC.  You would need a rectifier to convert it to a DC output - a $3 part even at Radio Shark prices.

Before the invention of silicon diodes in the late '50s, rectifiers were relatively expensive components.  And until powerful permanent magnets were developed during WW2, universal motors with wound fields that could run on either AC or DC were commonly used.  Lionel, American Flyer, and Marx did not change to DC operation for their O and S toy train lines after WW2, and continued using AC (with a few rare exceptions).  Their HO lines, OTOH, did comply with the 12V DC standard.

The transformer is useful as an AC power supply, and can be used as a DC power supply by adding a rectifier.  But it is not a particularly good train controller even with a rectifier.  Older Lionel engines typically would not run on less than 6 volts.  So Lionel made many of their transformers have an initial 6 volts as soon as the throttle is moved off the peg.  N scale locomotives are often going too fast at 6 volts.  Use the transformer to power switch machines, lights in structures, or as a power supply to a proper throttle.

my thoughts, your choices

Fred W   

 Don't try connecting a rectifier to the Lionel transformer and using it for N scale unless you would like to see smoke come out of the locomotive motors.  The Lionel transformer is to control a Lionel O scale engine that ran on Alternating Current.  N scale locos require Direct Current (like a battery).  A rectifier will just turn the AC into DC pulses at 120 cycles or 60 cycles, depending on whether it's a full or half wave rectifier, which will cause the motors to overheat.

Go out and buy a power pack designed for controlling DC locomotive motors, such as an MRC power pack.  Use the Lionel transformer for building lights or other accessories, or don't use it at all.