Trouble with Lionel 80-watt, 2-pc. transformer

[palallin]

I'm having trouble with one of my transformers. It came with the Texas Eagle set from about 5 years ago. It's the 80-watt unit with the separate power brick..

The trouble is this: several (but not all) locomotives that I run with it shut it down after only a few seconds of movement. Direction is irrelevant. The breaker does not trip, but the control unit's power light goes off. It then comes back on on its own with the loco in neutral. It will sit there all day with the loco in neutral but not run the loco for more than a few seconds. Each of these locos will run perfectly on any of my other transformers, including 1033s. The track that the unit is connected to has no effect on the outcome.

I am at a loss. Any ideas welcome.

TIA.

[Anonymous]

Sounds for all the world like an overheat shutdown. That doesn't mean that it is overheating, it means that it thinks it's overheating. You might try cooling it with some ice in a baggie. Or checking amperage draw with a multi-meter to see if the ones that don't run pull more amps than the ones that do run.

[Roger Bielen]

Have you tried the hobbiest section of Lionel's web site to see if they have any info.,? I believe the unit is an 80W type BW, I have one but the only time the green light blinks is with a short.