PowerMax Transformer does not power track anymore

Contact Lionel, they're junk.  We automatically hand our customers a CW80 if they bring back a PowerMaster, then we send it back to Lionel for replacement with a CW80.  That's why it pays to shop with a LHS.  If they bought it at a mall store, too bad.

 Thanks.  My father is a HUGE Lionel guy, but he has the older larger units for his setups.  He bought it at a Lionel store in Nebraska and had it shipped here, we live in Virginia.  There is a Lionel store about 20 miles from our house and I will see if they can help us.  Thanks

Roger Bielen

Contact Lionel, they're junk.  We automatically hand our customers a CW80 if they bring back a PowerMaster, then we send it back to Lionel for replacement with a CW80.  That's why it pays to shop with a LHS.  If they bought it at a mall store, too bad.

Well Roger,

  I am sure glad that I live on the other side of the country from where your shop eveidently is located. That was NOT the kind of reply they needed.

BTW, there are many who feel the same way about the CW-80, which I personally happen to like VERY much, and the Powder Puff (Power Max) does an excellent job powering the trolley line, just use each were the are suitable.

  The power Max transformer is the begining level transformer in Lionel sets, it should handle your set just fine unless  additional locomotives are added, or several lighted cars, then you would need a larger transformer such as the CW-80 or larger.

  If you are getting the flashing green light even with all the wires disconnected, it would sound like your transformer is defective and needs to be replaced, hopefully warranteed, but it would have to have been bought through an authorized Lionel dealer to be covered. If you can, find out where it was purchased, and see if the retailer is able to exchange the transformer for you, here is where ebay and other unauthorized sources can end up costing more than an authorized dealer in the end. If bought at a big box store like Target, K-Mart etc. ask the manager if they would be willing to exchange the transformer out of another set, some will, some wont.

  If You are unable to get an exchange locally, try calling Lionel's customer service line at (586) 949-4100 Monday morning. I can't guarantee that they will replace it just over the phone, but I have gotten many small replacement parts, that were not warranty but rather my Nephews being kids, and they have shipped them quickly and usually at no charge. Christmas is a Huge part of Lionel's business, it was actually Joshua Lionel Cowen who originally promoted the idea of trains under the tree ( it sold him a LOT of trains) I would be very surprised if Lionel didn't make this right as quickly as they could, a Power Max transformer is a very inexpensive item to lose a Happy Customer over, especially this time of year, with our current economy.

Good Luck and Merry Christmas to You and your Family,

Doug

Hi cyberlisa,

   Did you try it with all the wires disconnected? Plug in the Power Max(PM), and turn up the throttle with all the wires disconnected, if you still get the flashing green light(FGL), then it is the transformer that is defective. If the green light stays steady, hook up the wires to the track WITHOUT any trains on it, do you get the FGL? if you do, something is shorting in the track, if not, put JUST the locomotive on the track and try again. If the locomotive runs fine at this point, add one car at a time until you figure out just what is shorting out. It could be something besides the transformer, such as something metal shorting the tracks, a defective locomotive or a bad piece of track. It might be the transformer is just telling you that something else is causing a short, and that there is actually nothing wrong with the transformer itself.

Good Luck and Merry Christmas,

Doug 

 Thanks Doug for your information.  I tried what you said and it is the transformer.  The FGL still happens with just the transformer being plugged in.  I actually called my dad also and he said he could ship me one of his extra older ones if I can not get a replacement.  I have the receipt which shows it was purchased Nov 10, 2008.  I am going to contact Lionel customer service tomorrow and see what they can do.  It was so cool having the train under the tree this year, my parents always have had a Lionel train under theirs.  Now that my son is 7 years old my dad wanted to get a train for him.  Thanks again.

  Lisa

Hi Lisa,

   Many of the older transformers wont have a bell or whistle control, but would otherwise run the train without any trouble. Hopefully Lionel will be able to get you a new transformer quickly, their customer service dept has treated me very well in the past, and in my opinion, is second to none.

  I didn't have any Sons, but I got my Nephews started EARLY with Lionels, the youngest is only 1 1/2 years old, and he already competes with his older brother for "Throttle Time" and does very well. He obviously has to be supervised, but he already has the Forward- Neutral-Reverse sequence figured out. He is already showing the signs of being the certifiable Train Nut that his Uncle is.

Merry Christmas,

Doug

Doug glad you chimed in was going to earlier but backed off as didn't have any other help I knew of to offer at the moment. I'm glad her dad has offered an older transformer as was waiting to see how this played out and was going to offer her one I had if she needed one as I have a newer one but it also doesn't have horn or bell button just speed control but figured it could get her thru the holidays and till she figured out what else she was going to do with it. Sound like a good starter set thou as I have seen some of the Christmas sets and there usually very nice.

Awhile back I bought the Nascar set on blowout. Repainted the engine, gave the track and cars to my nephew for his birthday. The only thing left was the transformer. We sold our house last summer, and in the meantime, I tried to use the transformer for testing purposes on some whistle tenders. Once I created a short, the transformer was done. Sure miss circuit breakers!  Hate to say it, but I just threw the transformer away. By time I paid shipping to Lionel for warranty work, it just wouldn't be worth it.

Firstly, I have purchased items at Roger's store, he is a class guy.  That aside, I also had purchased a Lionel 'Hobo' Set from a reputable dealer in New Jersey (I'm in GA).  The CW80 went belly up after only a few hours of running.  Same issue, green light just blinks.  I called Lionel, told them the place of purchase, the serial number on the transformer, and a day later, they had a brand new one sitting at my front door.  Can't speak for everyone, but my experience was great.

Dennis

Hi Dennis,

  I haven't shopped at Roger's store, he may be as you say a "Class Guy", but that was not a "Classy Answer" especially from someone who is in retail sales.

  I have gotten 6 Nephews and several Friends and other Relatives started in O-Gauge and the CW-80 has been the favored transformer for trains, and the Powder Puff has done reliable duty on some trolley lines. All told I have personally been involved with probably 15 or more CW-80's and Powder Puffs, and I have had no problems with them so far. With the sheer number of these built it is inevitable that some will fail, they are a mechanical device designed, built and used by humans, who are not perfect.

  I am not surprized that Lionel replaced your CW-80 so quickly, My own experiences with Lionel's customer service dept has been Exceptional, I couldn't have asked for better service, IMO, they are an example that other companies would be wise to emulate.

  I Hope that cyberlisa will give us an update when she gets this resolved, as I would be curious as to the outcome.

Doug

I called Lionel customer service from work today. They were great, just like you guys said. I explained to them everything that I did and he said he would send me a new transformer to me. I did not have the old transformer with me with the serial number which he said they usually want, but he said he would send one to me anyway. I appreciate all you guys help.

If that doesn't work out either, I suggest looking for a postwar 1033 (or 1044) to replace it.

Hi cyberlisa,

  I'm Happy to hear that Lionel has one on the way. I have had good luck with these transformers myself, so Hopefully it will just be a small delay, and your train will be back on schedule under the tree soon. With any Luck they will send you a CW-80, I really like those myself. Don't be shy in the future, if you have any more questions, someone here will likely be able to help. Stop in and say Hi sometime, even if you don't have any problems, we'll still chat with you.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to You and your Loved ones,

Doug

Hello all - Well my son will not be able to have his Lionel train set working for Christmas this year after all. :( We got the new transformer in the mail and as soon as we plugged it in - literally straight from the box - FGL - again. Lionel customer service was already closed and none of the certified Lionel dealers around here can do anything. We went to them and they said we could buy one from them for $125, but they could not do the warranty and replace these. I have paperwork showing one sent the 10th of November and one sent the 15th of December. I will have to call Lionel back after the holidays and have them ship me another one. It was purchased through an Authorized Lionel Dealer and Authorized Lionel Service Station in Lincoln NE, but the ones in Virginia will not replace it unless it was purchased there. I do have an area in my basement that my husband and I decided we can set the train up after the holidays though so we will not have to put it away, since Christopher did not get to play with it this year. Lisa

Does anyone live near Lisa who can loan her a transformer until they get theirs replaced?    

Lisa, Please post the area you live in.  Many folks here are scattered around the country.  If you live anywhere near someone here, I am sure someone can help.  Christmas is just too important to let the kids down.  Don't have to post your address or city, just area and perhaps someone can contact you with a mutually agreeable place to either give/lend you a transformer.

Dennis

Lisa, why don't you post the name of your city in Virginia.  There may be someone on the forum who lives close enough to lend you a transformer for Christmas.

Lisa,

Sent you an email.

If you live nearby I may be able to help you out. 

I live in the town of Aldie VA - It is in the Northern VA area close to Chantilly VA. The train stores we checked out earlier today were in Manassas. We live near Dulles airport area. If anyone can we can meet someone - let me know at my email address lisapadres@yahoo.com or here. Thanks Lisa

I live in the town of Aldie VA - It is in the Northern VA area close to Chantilly VA. The train stores we checked out earlier today were in Manassas. We live near Dulles airport area. If anyone can we can meet someone - let me know at my email address lisapadres@yahoo.com or here. Thanks Lisa

 Two in a row?  That's not good.  If you go to eBay you'll find better power cheaper than $125.  You can get a good CW-80 on the bay for around $40 on a good day, and that's got twice the power and features of a PowerMax.

Jon

 Lisa,

If you have any problems with that transformer and the train set please give me a call on the number listed on the underside of the base.

The wire nut/contact with the black plastic screw cap pushes down to control the direction of the train.  It should cycle the engine between forward, neutral, and reverse each time you push it down.

There is no bell or whistle button. 

Enjoy!

Birds, Now that is what I love about this group.  Some of the best folks in the world are gathered right here.  I am glad that someone was relatively close by to help out. 
Thanks,
Dennis

Birds - Thanks you are a great person.... We hooked up your transformer and we have a moving train again..... YEAH. :) We appreciate it very much and so does Christopher. He can now play with the train over his his Christmas break. Lisa

Way to go Birds I love a happy ending and you just made a christmas for a little boy. Be proud that you were able to do it. I know any of us in here would of jumped at the chance to do that but you happen to be at the area to do it

Birds, I knew we would find someone.  A big thanks and a Merry Christmas!