Still using your starter set brick?

[FJ and G]

OK, I admit that I'm envious (perhaps very jealous?) of people with those humongous bricks; you know, ZW, Z-4000, with fancy dials and big handles just like throttles on the real deals, with lots of juice flowing thru them--reminds me of the mad scientist pulling the handle of the transformer that sent jolts of electricity into that brought Frankenstein to life.

My trains, sometimes double-headers, have been happily tooling down the tracks, powered by eeensy-weensy Z-750 bricks that I got with my starter set; while my accessories are powered by a half dozen HO power packs that were left over from my tiny scale days.

Maybe someday I will get a more manly power pack; but for now, my trains seem content with measly juice that comes out of these bricks, which, btw, don't even have a speed control knob or bell or whistle button on them!

Dave "brick challenged" vergun

[Anonymous]

Dave, I have to admit that I too am still using my Z-750 from my original starter MTH starter set. I'm also somewhat envious of those bigger transformers but everytime I get the money for one other things call out my name. For example I had planned on buying a Z-4000 in June with B-Day money but now I'm being tempted by the MTH Tinplate stuff. I guess time will tell.

[cnw1995]

I am using my power pack from my Lionel Ballyhoo set - with only one loc-on to the track - which is somewhat expanded (into a big folded loop over four 4x8 foam boards. I sure would like to see one of those big ZWs in operation. My parents sent me an "R" transformer with two knobs that has been refurbished by Madison Hardware which I hope to use. I'm musing on electrical issues lately - I have six outlets in the basement - two of which are used for the sump and ejector pumps. I have a outlet bar attached to a long industrial-strength extension cord, with a few lit accessories plugged in. I'm worried about overloading things.

[Anonymous]

I still use a starter set brick that came with one of my train sets, from time to time. Usually around XMAS time, I need a power supply to run trains around the tree, so I use the old trusty 40 watt brick that I got from lionel. I also have a 50 W, a 75 W, and a 275 ZW that I can use if necessary. On my permanent layout, I use a 90 W - 1033. On the club layout, I also use another one of my 275W ZW's

[Big_Boy_4005]

Then along comes a weirdo like me, who used no prepackaged transformer at all.

No, because of the layout at the mall I have INDUSTRIAL transformers. Each is made up of three 6.3 Volt transformers ganged together. Each set of 3 can deliver 20 Amps to the rails, and I own 11 sets. The trick is to harness these beasts and do it safely.

The one missing element in my system right now is a fast acting over current protection device. I am looking for an inexpensive simplified version of Lionel's TMCC lockon. Any electronics wizards out there???

[NH_Chris]

I use a PW ZW, which solved problems I was having with lack of power when I expanded my layout. Though it wasn't cheap, it was necessary. I still use my starter set xformers to run accessories.

Big Boy:

Check out Scott's Odds and Ends, here:

http://www.scottsodds-n-ends.com/products.htm

They have a good variety of surge protection and circuit breakers/fuses. I use a DTK4Plus on my DCS layout, which is powered with a PW ZW. Before I installed it, I was blowing fuses every time I derailed. After, my blown fuses (which are still inline) have dropped to almost nothing.

NH Chris

[FJ and G]

TheDano,

Know whatya mean. New locomotives; DCS; and other things always got priority.

Elliot,

My nextdoor neighbor works for SAIC, helped me completely wire my basement. He's a former Marine like myself but he only has a high school education but is making close to 6-digit figures as a communications technician. For fun, he builds all sorts of electrical components and for a hobby, he collects computers from the 70s and 80s. His entire house is networked and I frequently have chats with him reg. his latest projects.

He is encouraging me to build my own power pack and has an oscilloscope so we can ensure that the wave is just right. I first need to get my layout built, however, and then I'll be over there picking his brain.

He doesn't accept payments for his help, just six paks of Bud. I once had a case of Bodington's Beer (I think it was that brand?) and offered him one. He took a sip and wouldn't drink the rest so I dumped it on the lawn out back, trying to hold back the tears. The next day, the grass in that area, which was pretty pathetic, had suddenly sprouted nice and green.

dave vergun

[Anonymous]

Sure I'm using mine 750. It's powering my TIU. When I went to DCS, the first option was to trade my Postwar ZW for a new Z1000. But as a kid, I always wanted a ZW, and my wife reminded me about how thrilled I was to find one and bring it home and hook it up, so it will stay. I still use an MTH Brick and controller for Christmas time, around the tree. Chuck

[Big_Boy_4005]

Thanks Chris, but I will need a fairly large quantity of these devices. I checked out the link, and something there might work, I'll have to really look closely.

I am willing to assemble all of the components myself. Fuses are no use in this application, and devices over about $10 per unit are too expensive for me right now.

The TMCC lock on sells for a just under $30. I don't need the pretty housing and the indicator LED's, just the stripped down basic electronics circuit that senses over current and can drive a relay. Part of the deal is I already own the relays, and that may be the most expensive component in the project.

Dave, that's the kind of friend I seek. A couple of cases of beer later, and I would be a happy camper.[swg]

Chris, I did go back and look more carefully, and those circuit breakers in gangs of 4 may indeed work, however I would like an even lower value than 10A, something in the 5 - 8 Amp range would be even better. Actually the 20A version may be very useful in limiting the total output of a transformer gang.

I was also trying to use the relay to inform the computer that there was a fault on the tracks. I have something in mind here, but I'm open to other ideas.[:)]

[Anonymous]

I had typed a reply to this thread this morning, before any one else had, and it got lost in the bit bucket. Oh well. I'll try to reproduce what I said.

I'm using an 80W BW-80 transformer that I got late last year & my father's 90W PW 1044 transformer on my 2 loop temporary layout. Both transformers are also powering 2 022 turnouts. The BW is also powering 2 MTH grade crossing flashers (the only MTH things I own), along with the speaker that came with them that goes "Ding ding ding." The 1044 is also powering a small 2 light PW light tower; I have no idea what the part number is.

Everything seems to be running fine & it looks like I have enough power. I'm thinking of replacing the 1044, though. It only outputs 16 V and my K-Line scale Mikado doesn't go quite so fast at full speed as i'd like it to. It's much better at 18 V. Not that there's any danger of this engine flying off the tracks even at 18V.

We still use the starter set bricks for my son's sets when we put them up.

Tony

[Big_Boy_4005]

Sorry for derailing this topic guys, I think Tony has it back on track.[swg]

[Anonymous]

Elliot:

Just call me the rerailer! [:D] [;)]

Tony

[cnw1995]

Speaking of power packs, I was looking at my old MRC sound station from my N scale layout. - it looks like an MRC power pack with two sliders controlling a whistle and diesel horn. I wonder if it would work if hooked up to the layout? I wonder how to hook it up to the layout... Any advice?

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cnw1995

Speaking of power packs, I was looking at my old MRC sound station from my N scale layout. - it looks like an MRC power pack with two sliders controlling a whistle and diesel horn. I wonder if it would work if hooked up to the layout? I wonder how to hook it up to the layout... Any advice?

If it was for N scale, then it is a DC pack, and won't be much use for these trains that run on AC. Actually the modern trains and even the old ones can be run on DC. The problem is that whistles and bells are activated by a DC signal applied to the rails in addition to the AC power that runs the trains. Applying DC would be very noisy indeed.[:p][;)][:)]

[Anonymous]

You bet! A solitary BW-80 powering one train, eight O-33 turnouts, and eight operating accessories on my 4 x 8 layout. So in addition to the thrill of operating big iron I get to play energy broker by juggling the combination of accessories operating at any one time... Gotta get a ZW.

Steve

[Anonymous]

Warning!

The electronics in some locomotives that operate on AC power may be damaged if you apply DC current to the pickup rollers!

I know that doesn't sound right, but it can happen!

To be safe, never run any train that is intended for use on AC current on DC unless it says specifically that it wil work with both.

Tony

[ben10ben]

I used my two starter set 40 watters for years, along with two transformers from my American Flyer days, a 50 watt 1 1/2B and a 100 watt 8B. The purchase that got me seriously back into the hobby about a year and a half ago included 2 1033s, which held me for a little while. When I went to TMCC, I invested in a postwar LW, and a KW a few months later. These will hold me for quite a while, or so I hope. I will likely buy a Postwar ZW when I get around to building my layout, as well as an American Flyer 30B(300 Watts).

Tony is correct, TMCC trains should never be run on DC current. Modern Lionel conventional engines are fine(can't comment on the others), as are all Postwar and MPC(although the E unit may give you trouble with enough running on DC). I believe that PS-2s can also be run on DC, as the new MTH Large Scale engines with PS-2 are advertised as being able to.

Doug,
Don't worry about overloading your basement outlets with running your trains. A typical toy train transformer is putting out, at most, 1/6 of the voltage being fed into it. This means that the current draw on the line in side is extremely small. The comparison that I have heard is that a fully loaded ZW draws less current on the line in side than a TV does to keep the tube "warm" when not turned on.

[Anonymous]

I did, until yesterday, when i got the lionel "R" transformer from Elliot. This thing is awesome!![8D]

[ChiefEagles]

Still will use mine. I will use it just like my last layout. Ran the switching yard.

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

The [}:)] Doctor is in: First: Jerry! Glad you got some power!!!! If you plan to Add to your
power roster, Let me know. Second: I had a "starter set" power pack that I used for a
brief time. I then steped up to a KW I bought on E-Bay(minus control knobs) and have
not looked back. I do have a mth pack that came with my Daylight set(first new set)
but that is going to run the daylight set on it's own track on my pike(remote control).
I have a LW that I bought for my son when he was planning a army layout. He changed
his mind and I now have two sets of army men and weapons(near O scale) and a Lionel quanset hut(anybody need army stuff for their pike, e-mail me and I will make a
deal). The LW is a test unit untill I need extra power for all the post-war stuff I plan to
run, like the coal ramp & loader, milk car, stockyard and other stuff. So yes, I moved up
and the pack that came with the set that restarted my 2nd childhood is going to be sold
with a starter set I am converting to AC from DC(lionel). So, Till Next Missive, I Remain
The Humble, Yet [}:)] Doctor!!!

[prewardude]

The only thing I use the modern starter set bricks for are accessory lights. I don't know about anybody else, but I've noticed that my trains run a heck of a lot more smoothly with the old PW transformers (I'm currently using an old Lionel 1033 on the main layout). I guess the modern power supplies must produce a really sloppy waveform. I'll take my pure sine waves, thank you. I'm gonna have to get me a Z-4000 one of these days. :-)

[nitroboy]

Hey Dave, its nice to see a few former Marines around, I myself am a former Marine.

I use three starter set transformers just for accessory power. I have a ZW and LW for main power. The starter set transformers are very cheap at train shows, so you can get as many as you need.