I have a lionel 4-4-2 from 2 or 3 years ago and it will start up fine but fi it is running for more than 15 minuts it will ack like I am putting the transfromer 0 to 100 every other second. It has no train sounds or comand controal, it only has smoke. Dose it just have to be cleaned and luber or is there a problme with the moter? Thanks!
Are you using a CW-80 transformer ?
Bill T.
Lionel 773 hudson,
Is your engine a Lionel T.M.C.C., if so, maybe the engine's internal signal receiving antenna is malfunctioning.
I had this happen to my engine when it was in the T.M.C.C. mode running fine at 18 volts, then suddenly, by itself, go into Conventional Mode and want to launch into space, due to the high 18 volts, which is too much for Conventional Mode engines.
A Lionel Technician told me what was wrong and now the Lionel Service Department is repairing my engine.
Ralph
It looks like a CW 80, it is a starter set trainformer from menards and it is not tmcc.
look on the bottom if it says power max its a 40 watt transformer which they have had problems with also If I remember right. They also had problems with some of the first cw-80 they do look similar the CW-80 and Power max transformers.
sounds like either a transformer problem or the circuit board in the engine problem. If you have access to another engine try it and see if it does the same thing if not its the circuit board if so its the transformer.
It could be either as you say after about 15 minutes but I'm thinking the engine more so as It kinda like my tmcc NYC that about after 20 minutes it will either shut down or go like theres no tomorrow when running in TMCC and its the board in it I have gotten the part number just need to order it and replace the board.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Check the voltage on the track while the engine is cycling fast-slow-fast etc. If the voltage is nearly steady, the problem is in the engine. If the voltage is following the train speed, then the transformer is probably at fault.
Earl
The transformer or engine are posessed. Mail them to me and I will heal them.
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
I found a inexpensive digital volt meter at Harbor Freight for $4. This is the cheapest I have seen. All you guys that need a meter can now afford one.
The cheapest Harbor Freight meter on the Internet is $4.99. But, at that price or $4, they're probably not the true-RMS voltmeter that you need for the CW80 or Power Max.
Bob Nelson
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