transformers

[Anonymous]

just wondering if i could used my lionel transformer on my ho stuff? Its got to be better then the one i had...

[mitchelr]

Zeke,

 

Sorry, it won't work.  HO stuff is DC current.  Your Lionel transoformer puts out AC current.

 

Take care,

 

Mitch 

[phillyreading]

Zeke,

You would do better buying a new MRC transformer for H.O.  Make sure that it is a two train transformer as it will have more power behind it.

Lionel or MTH or Atlas & even Williams will burn up your H.O. trains in less than a minute because they are A.C. transformers.

Lee F.

[lionelsoni]

You could put a bridge rectifier downstream of the transformer.  You would also need a DPDT switch downstream of that to reverse the HO trains.

HO normally uses 12 volts DC.  Almost any Lionel transformer will put out more than that.  A bridge rectifier (with no filter capacitor) will produce an average DC voltage that is about 90 percent of the transformer's RMS voltage minus 1.5 volts.  So a 16-volt Lionel 1033 will give you about 13 volts of DC, which is close enough.  Many transformers with higher output voltages also have alternate connections to get a lower voltage range.  So it might be possible, depending on what transformer you have.

[Anonymous]

thanks for the advice...i thought it wouldnt work just wanted to back it up...and i will get me the mrc...thanks for the help once again!