Lionel ZW 275 watt question- adding amp or circuit breaker?

[Lionel1947]

If there is a risk of destroying your old locomotives and/or risk of fire, why not just purchase a new Lionel Transformer?  Will this do the trick?

[ADCX Rob]

There is no risk of destroying your old locomotives and/or risk of fire(no more today than in 1948, anyway). The ZW is just fine as long as the cord is good.

[bigdogjeff]

This stuff added is just to protect with your current trains with the older transformers, but even if I had new style transformer I would still put this stuff on for added protection.

[Mazz]

Hi jeff can you tell me how many amps is the tvs, also can you tell me full name Of product .do I need to install one on negative feeder also? and where can I purchase the breaker thank you ..

[KRM]

Mazz

Hi jeff can you tell me how many amps is the tvs, also can you tell me full name Of product .do I need to install one on negative feeder also? and where can I purchase the breaker thank you ..

 

Mazz if you go back and read the post you can get most of your answers on the TVS.

Not sure what Jeff uses but I use Bussmann BP/CB211-10-RP fast acting reseting mini fise breakers as in the picture below. They are 10 amp and protect the wires from the ZW to the track and anything else. They work great for me. You can get them at most any auto store or on line at Amazon or E-bay.

 

 

 

[Mazz]

thanks will go RadioShack today..

[kristo]

I recently purchased an Eaton Miniature Breaker 3amp.  I saw a video where the engineer stated a 3amp rating was better than a 5amp or a 1amp breaker for running post-war trains.  What do you think about that?  I see that it seems the protection is really for the Transformer. In my case, I don't run modern engines.  Besides the transformer issue of protection, what is the best protection for the operator against being electrocuted.  I am new to all this.

[cwburfle]

I see you have another post going on installing a circuit breaker in the power line. I guess there is nothing wrong with doing that, but I don't think it is commonly done.
Many people, myself included, recommend using external circuit breakers on the output side with the larger Lionel transformers like the ZW and KW.
There are several reasons for doing so.
The internal circuit breakers in these transformers are only designed to protect the transformer itself, and may not provide protection of your wiring or trains. (Note: there is only one breaker in most postwar Lionel Transformers, including the ZW and KW).
Also, the internal circuit breakers do not protect every potential circuit.

I like to use Postwar Lionel #91 adjustable electromagnetic circuit breakers on each of the "hot" power terminals on my transformers. That would be the A,B,C and D terminals on a ZW. I adjust them just high enough that whatever train I am running does not trip the breaker.
(It is possibile to tighten the adjusting knob so tightly that the breaker cannot trip. Don't do it!)
When a short occurs, the breaker will trip instantly. Some people find this annoying. Not I.