unwanted strob light effect

[Anonymous]

I have a small size layout,9'5'. I have a lionel 1033 transformer & a k-line 120 watt,both "in phase." The accessories are on fixed voltage,switches also. all has been running fine until last week.Now when one of the trains runs for about 5 min, at realistic speeds,no rabbits on this pike,the red flashing "overload light turns on the K-line transformer. the train doesn't slow down any,just keeps running. The lights on the switches begin flashing. When I shut the power off on the transformer & start up again, it runs as though nothing happened. 5 minutes later, it does the same thing again. Now here's the kicker,if I reverse the plugs in the outlet,the train takes off like it was hooked up to fixed voltage.,even as the transformer handle is off.Any ideas guys??? Easter

[wrmcclellan]

Easter,

1. Did you change anything recently? Add new accessories or lighted trains?
2. I do not have a K-Line transformer so I am of limited assistance. Overload on many modern transformers means the current load (amperage) is hitting the limit of the transformer. If it is related to the fixed voltage (if that is where the switches are attached) terminals, could it be a mechanical thermal breaker turning on and off? How often is it flashing? If you switch off accesories - does it clear up?
3. Reversing the plugs and getting full voltage hints at a wiring issue. Can you provide a detailed wiring diagram via the forum or e-mail?

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

roy,I'm horrible with diagrams,wouldn't know where to begin.I did add a target block signal hooked up to fixed voltage,but if that was the problem,wouldn't the overload indicator come on right away???? I will disconnect it and see what happens. Easter

[wrmcclellan]

Overload can occur with time as the transformer heats up due to current load. So the transformer starts out cool and then starts to heat with time. Heat aggrevates the loading problem, causing output voltage to fall and then the transformer tries to supply more current to maintain the wattage to the loads and thus generates more heat. So the problem compounds itself.

Depending on how you wired your block signal (i.e. are you using track detection) may have something to do with reversing the transformer plugs and getting full voltage to track (btw - next time this happens - disconnect the fixed voltage wires and see if the train stops).

Let us know what happens next as you try things.

Regards,
Roy

[eZAK]

Easter,

I would try this,
Separate the two transformers.
i.e. Use the 1033 for acc's And the switches & the K-line 120 for track power only.

Reversing the plugs may be causing an out of phase and/or back feeding situation!
Which you want to avoid.

Another thing to do would be to test the circuit with an amp probe and/or calculate the wattage needed.

[lionelsoni]

Easter, there's not enough information here to tell what's happening. You'll have to describe what the transformers are connected to, track and accessories, and how the track is arranged electrically. (From the pictures I've seen, the K-Line "transformer"--K-0956?--probably isn't an actual transformer. It would be nice to know what's actually inside it; but we can probably isolate the problem without that information.)

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the suggestions,Bob & Pat. On thursday i"ll be finished with my 4 days on. I'll have the next 4 days off durring the memerial day weekend. this will give me some time to get into the problem & see if I can isolate it. This hobby is always relaxing for me,but it sure has it's moments when it can frustrate the - - - - out of you.It's like when your wife thinks youv'e done something wrong,but she won;t tell you what it is. Easter.

[Anonymous]

The speeder would look better without a strobe light(lionel's):(