Hello, I'm new to this site, and completely new to toy trains also - so please pardon my ignorance! I just have a very basic 027 set (guessin' mid 80's?). A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. I have a basement that offers an 18" concrete ledge that goes around the entire perimeter of the house that lends itself perfectly to a neat layout. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. My question is....how big of a transformer will I need to power this thing? Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! Thanks in advance for any information, Mike
Mike, The size of the transformer is dictated by what you want to run, the more you run the more power you will need. If your going to run anything more that what came with the set then you should probably upgrade to something a little bigger. On a large loop of track you will need to have multiple drops, hook-ups, to the transformer because if you only have one hook up the train will get slower the father away it gets from the transformer.
Paul
If you make a complete loop of 100 feet with good track joints, you'll have something like .1 ohm from the transformer to the farthest point, using the rule of thumb that most track is something like 16 AWG wire (.004 ohms per foot) and that there are two 50 foot tracks feeding the farthest point from two directions. This means that you will have about .5 volt drop if your train draws 5 amperes. That might work, but it's probably borderline, especially if you are using something like a 1033 transformer that tops out at 16 volts. If your track joints aren't near perfect or if you should want to split that loop into two blocks, you'll double the voltage drop.
I suggest that you proactively lay an 10-2 AWG NM cable (or at least 12-2) along the track and tap into it as needed to keep the voltage up. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does.
Bob Nelson
If you're looking to only have one loop with multiple sidings then you'll only need 1 source of power for the whole layout. In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. This would be more than enough for any single train and a few accessories. As far as new transformers go, someone else may be able to help more than I can.
Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. It states:
1.25 amps for each motor, 0.2 amps for each bulb. I cant see you needing more than a capacity of 5 amps. Ill try to find a link to it for you.
Home of the K.I.S.S. Railroad
Wow....thanks for all the advice so far, guys!! I'll take this information and run with it to help get me started. I'm sure I'll need more help along the way, so I'll be checking back in with more silly questions!
Mike
Mike to the forum. As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. If you have time, check out the "Coffee Pot". All members here are welcome to drop in and visit. If you like, tell us more about yourself.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Welcome, Mike.
Remember, the only silly question is the one that you did not ask.
Mike !
Lots of good responses so far.
Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. However, in the future if you continue in the hobby and your roster expands you may acquire motive power which requires larger curves than what came with your set.
It is much easier to be ready ahead of time then to have to do some changes afterwards. Been there, done that.
But most importantly, have fun!
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
Well Mike what I am about to suggest may be a little pricy or at least it was for me but I have managed to buy a new Lionel ZW. This thing has more power then I will ever need. My layout I am building is 5 sheets of 4x8 plywood and it will probaly take me 100 years to build it (I hope I have that much time left). A new ZW will run you in the neighborhood of $450.00 or a little less depending on your dealership. Anyway if it takes me 100 years to finish this thing one thing is for sure I will not have to worry about powering anything and everything.
Mike,
If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! It can run four tracks at one time, so you layout can grow.
I have a post war ZW and a KW and a Z, all three are good transformers, just meant for differant needs. The KW has constant voltage outputs for accessories, the ZW don't have that feature just four handles for supplying power to four tracks or accessories if you like, both have whistle & direction feature.
The CW-80 is a nice little transformer, has accessory output as well, but as you have stated you will outgrow the CW-80 pretty quick.
Lee F.
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