I'm just a novice and just thought I'd throw in my 2cents but you're right.
But if you got the cash boy, go for the grand daddy :) Powerful postwar diesel with equally powerful power supply.....ooooffff !!!!!!!!!!
Who's the king ...you are, thas right!!! choo choo charlie aint got nuthin on you....LOL
John I have to admit I was really trying to see what your point was all about till you clarified your self in the last comment. And for the fun of it I went looking and yeah it don't look great but bet it would do for a while check this one out and this here is your bargain basement one but bet it will last for a while anyway. http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-Postwar-KW-190-Watt-Trainmaster-AC-Transformer-/190559637018?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item2c5e3d4e1a
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Those knobs can be had for $5, so that's a pretty good bet. I had one with the same issue, and I found someone on eBay with knobs for $5, free shipping.
gunrunnerjohn I'm not questioning your education, just your "facts" in this topic. If you want to start an education contest, I also have an EE degree and a Masters in Computer Science. If you want to stick to the topic at hand, just point out where I'm wrong.
I'm not questioning your education, just your "facts" in this topic. If you want to start an education contest, I also have an EE degree and a Masters in Computer Science.
If you want to stick to the topic at hand, just point out where I'm wrong.
John,
Ok. That previous post just came across differently to me when I first read it. My fault. I don't like to get too technical because I am unsure of what level of knowledge people have, and I don't want to further confuse people while trying to help them.
As for the KW, although it is nice, I just feel that there are better options available. Even though ZWs might seem pricey at times, I 'd rather be patient and hold out rather than rushing and regretting it later. The best thing someone could do that is looking for a transformer is consider what they need and want, then spend some time watching the market. I've seen ZWs go from very cheap to ridiculously expensive over the years depending on the market and season. Summer would be the time to look IMHO.
One thing that I consider when shopping for transformers is that I'll spend a little more to get more power than I need at that moment rather than spending a lot more later because I don't have enough power available after an addition.
I know you're thinking it's overkill, but you can't go wrong with more rather than settle for less.
Here's a good example of what can be had for a few bucks more. A zw250 in the box with instruction sheet. :)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-ZW-250-box-Madison-Hardware-Sticker-/110722964632?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item19c79a5c98#ht_500wt_1202
States he's accepting offers so you got nothing to lose and also will adjust for the shipping.
I'm just sayin'.................
Although that's a 250W ZW, it's a very good deal at $80.
ZW 250/275 are the same transformer. Lionel just found a different way to rate the wattage.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Same guy has another one for $75 http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-ZW-250-box-/120757121874?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item1c1daf7352#ht_500wt_1202
I would offer him $60 for the heck of it.....but expect to pay the full $25 shipping charge. :)
I don't think these old zw transformers ever die!
Excellent post from August 2010 worth revisiting just to solidify that most ... old > new .....
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/178364/1957542.aspx
Great read!
The most common repair for ZW, KW, and V transformers is the roller replacement. I've done a few, and if you do it right, there is no disassembly involved. I don't press the rivets, I just flatten the end so it can't come out.
The recommendation to put a drop of solder on the rivets is probably not a bad idea, though I've never done that.
I just remember that one of my uncles has a Lionel train layout hanging in his garage which never gets used anymore. My mom tells me that my grandpa built it back when she was a kid, and the transformer was built with the two big control levers on the sides, so it's a pretty good bet that it's a ZW. Next time we're going up that way (which we do once or twice a year), I'll have to see if I can get it. The layout's been hanging up there ever since I can remember, so I don't think he'd have any hard feelings letting it go (in fact, a lot of family has given me train stuff over the years because I actually fix it up and use it).
_________________________________________________________________
Why can't I have relatives that give me trains?
gunrunnerjohn Why can't I have relatives that give me trains?
because I don't either ?
rtraincollector gunrunnerjohn: Why can't I have relatives that give me trains? because I don't either ?
gunrunnerjohn: Why can't I have relatives that give me trains?
nor I?
Just scored a great deal on an RW transformer! http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&nma=true&rt=nc&item=140613913702&pt=Model_RR_Trains&si=LfKIv6sSWV0wDHW1ATwPEOgCQFw%253D&viewitem=&hash=item20bd3e0c66
$22, 110W, refurbished, and in good condition? Yeah, I think that's a pretty good deal. My 254 with the passenger cars wanted more power than the Marx could deliver, so this will hopefully get it going. The 2343s are still a long way off, but I think I'll be able to at least run the set when I can comfortably afford one.
I have been running my AT&SF 2343 this past week. Just using the power unit with a few very early Postwar freight cars. Operating the 2343 F-3 using MTH DCS powered by a Lionel 135 watt brick, controller states intervals of 8.5 to 11.5 volts for optimum operating speeds.
Bill T.
Darth,
I can only speak for my self but I use a RW with over 80’ of track and am very happy with it. It will run my twin motor H&W Dash 8 40C with no problem, it fly’s around the track. The only thing I have with a lay down horizontal type motor is a 681 and it is single motor drive. It runs fine but is much slower than my other trains. It will pull one heck of a load but I don’t know if it is slower because of it’s gearing or because of it’s love for power.
I have a prewar AF # 9 that is a 150 watt that has a 4 to 22 volt setting and can deliver up to 30 volts to the track that will fly any train right off of the track. I don’t use it anymore because it could fry the newer trains with the electronics. It was a lot of fun when we were kids,,,, made for some bad wrecks.
At any rate bigger is always better when it comes to power and you can get a lot of transformer for much less that you will be paying for the 2343s. I think you will want something 100 watt or beter.
Tks,
Kevin
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Got my RW yesterday!! My 254 loves the extra power and voltage, and everything works great! I'm confident that this thing can run a 2343 without any problems, so whenever I finally get a set, everything will be ready for those twin motors.
After shipping, I spent a total of $33. Pretty good deal, I'd say!
Sounds like a great deal to me. Any pix?
balidas Sounds like a great deal to me. Any pix?
Sure.
Darth.........that RW was my first transformer, and it had absolutely no problems powering my buddy's dual motored 2343s on my layout with the monster passenger cars in tow. And it was a huge step up for use on those slot car sets.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month