Toy train operating and collecting

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Last post 11-05-2009 10:30 AM by bfskinner. 7 replies.
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10-30-2009 9:42 PM
Offline kontin
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Joined on 10-13-2009
Posts 3

K line traditional GG1 wattage question

Does anyone know the approximate wattage or current a klineGG1 requires?  Would a 25 watt transformer come close to running it?

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

11-01-2009 6:43 PM In reply to
Offline lionel trains
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-31-2009
Posts 2

Re: K line traditional GG1 wattage question

A  LIONEL RS! or ZW SHOULD WORK JUST FINE

11-02-2009 1:32 PM In reply to
Offline phillyreading
Top 150 Contributor
Joined on 01-08-2005
Lake Worth FL
Posts 2,737

Re: K line traditional GG1 wattage question

I would say to get a transformer with at least 60 watts of power in case you add lighted passenger cars. 25 watts is very little power, it may do for testing something but for running on a regular layout and with frieght or passenger cars added you need more power.

Lee F.

11-03-2009 10:32 AM In reply to
Offline kontin
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-13-2009
Posts 3

Re: K line traditional GG1 wattage question

 Thanks.  I was thinking that might be the case. 

11-04-2009 4:38 PM In reply to
Offline JamesShannon
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-08-2004
Posts 39

Re: K line traditional GG1 wattage question

I have this locomotive and it does not work well with the Lionel 80w transformer included in the modern ready to run sets.  I bought this loco last Christmas and it would not run on my under the tree holiday layout (6' X 18').  I thought something was wrong with the loco but discovered it is a power hog. I do not know what the minimum watts needed are but it runs great with big transformers.

11-04-2009 4:44 PM In reply to
Offline laz 57
Top 50 Contributor
Joined on 10-14-2004
Millersburg, Pa.
Posts 5,539

Re: K line traditional GG1 wattage question

As JAMES SHANNON says above.  Works great with the CW-80 watt.  No problems.

laz57

11-04-2009 6:52 PM In reply to
Offline bfskinner
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 02-17-2007
Posts 759

Re: K line traditional GG1 wattage question

 

11-05-2009 10:30 AM In reply to
Offline bfskinner
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 02-17-2007
Posts 759

Re: K line traditional GG1 wattage question

kontin, 

A true "80 Volt-Amp" Lionel CW-80,* of either version, will deliver 5 amperes. If each of the motors on the GG1 in question draws less than 2.5 amps, the CW-80 should have enough power, assuming that long trains, illuminated passenger cars and particularly lamps on the layout don't overload it. The green light will tell you whether the transformer is "happy" with its load. That said, many folks would want to have still more power in practice.

If the above does not happen, I would suspect that the loco needs lubrication or mechanical service to ensure that nothing in the works is binding or rubbing.

*As opposed to the much lower-powered look-alike "PowerMax" or "PowerMax Plus" transformers that come with many Lionel "starter" sets, which would be extremely challenged by any dual-motor locomotive, no matter how well it's tuned up.

.

[Text heavily edited]

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