transformer help ... take three

[charliebrown]

I have posted this a few times in here on other magazine areas but I think I finally found my home.

I have been out of the train seen for about 6 yrs now until these past few months. I ran n.ho,and o scale.

I'm back into it with o gauge. Mainly Lionel. I'm working on setting it up in my man cave with a Jimmy Buffet/LandShark beer theme. I purchased a set that was from around 76. It came with no transformer. I purchased one of the newer style that run at 40volts I believe. Well this didn't have enough power for my current layout and I know once I run the length of the room there is no way it will do it. So I purchased a train master 115volt model. Well it needed a new cord so I purchased one and soldered it in. Finally to my questions! 1. Is it possible to put this cord in wrong? 2. I have the 'u' wire going to center rail and 'a' wire going to outside rail. Is this correct?

The reason I ask about the cord is the transformer will not turn the train on. The transformer hums but nothing happens when I give it throttle. Could it be I bought a lemon?

Thanks for any help you can give

[ADCX Rob]

Which model of trainmaster transformer?  They were all 115volt models(except for a very few specialty/export models), the input rating ("WATTS") would be the defining characteristic for us to start helping you out, and the model/catalog number(4 numbers, usually) or letters(1 or 2 letters) would cement that information for us.

[charliebrown]

On the back it has the following info.

type lw trainmaster toy transformer

115 volts 60 cycles 125 watts output

for alternating current only

[TrainLarry]

You cannot install the power cord wrong. There is no 'polarity' on the cord. The transformer hums, so it is getting power. If your train does not move, it could be a number of things. First, test for power output of the transformer itself. Does your loco light up at least? If not, turn the transformer on halfway and briefly touch the 2 output wires together and see if you get a spark. No spark may mean the circuit breaker inside is open, and may need to be replaced. If you do get a spark, and the loco does not move, it may be locked in neutral. Depending on the type of locomotive (steam or diesel), there may be a lever on top of a steamer, or underneath a diesel for the e-unit that reverses the loco. Move it to the opposite position and try again to see if the loco moves. If not, there may be a problem with the loco.

  Usually, the 'A' terminal of the transformer goes to the center rail, and the 'U' goes to the outside rail. Older trains with no electronic sounds of whistle or horn will work with the transformer hooked up either way, but the newer electronic sound boards need the transformer hooked up a certain way for the sounds to operate properly.

Larry

[ADCX Rob]

The LW is 125 watts input, about 80 watts(same as a CW-80) output.

If it is humming, then your cord replacement is probably OK.

This transformer uses post "A" to lockon clip "2"(outside rails) and post "U" to lockon clip "1".

My suspicion is that when you re-assembled the unit, the direction button leaf spring was not aligned properly and as such the transformer is behaving like you are holding the button down.  To further confirm this, check to see that there is 14 volts at posts "C" to "A".  If not, it may be a faulty circuit breaker.  From post "C" to "B" should give you 5 volts whenever the LW is plugged in.

[submmbob]

According to some info I have found Lionel reversed the terminals w/ the LW where the U post is variable voltage and the A would be the common terminal, so it sounds like you have it hooked up correctly.

If you have a voltmeter that would tell you whether the transformer is putting out anything. Simply connect the two leads to the track connections.

Maybe somebody w/ an LW will chime in here.

[ADCX Rob]

submmbob

According to some info I have found Lionel reversed the terminals w/ the LW where the U post is variable voltage and the A would be the common terminal...

No reversal, that is the norm for single train / single throttle transformers.

[charliebrown]

I'll run these test on Saturday. Thanks everyone for the input! I'll keep you posted to what I find.

[cmrj]

 

 

[ADCX Rob]

charliebrown

Could it be I bought a lemon?

Where did you buy it, and under what conditions?

[charliebrown]

I completed the test. I have 4.6 volts b to c.

13.5 volts a to c

18.3 b to a

It seems that u has nothing. There is no spark on the wires when I touch them together no matter where throttle is. I checked volts there while moving the switch and nothing.

[charliebrown]

I bought it on ebay. It stated to run but needed a cord.

[ADCX Rob]

It does seem that when you re-assembled the unit, the direction button leaf spring was not aligned properly and as such the transformer is behaving like you are holding the button down. It will have to come apart.

Good job on the testing.

[Kooljock1]

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=658

Jon

[ADCX Rob]

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=658

[charliebrown]

I believe this is the part I now see laying on my work bench. It is an 'L' shaped tab with a hole in one end of the blade. So is there a way to repair this? I don't see where it should go. Also noticed some of the wires having been re-soldered which doesn't look good. On the wire coil I noticed one of the rivets pulled through on one end.

I think at this point i should start looking for a new transformer.

My layout will run a down and back setup. It should come out to about 20 feet in length with a main layout near the bar that will be a double circle.

I'm using a single engine loco now but plan to get a double eng diesel later. Also looking to maybe add a steam eng later.

Any suggestions on a model of transformer I should look for? Not planning to run to many accessories if any at all.

Thanks again for all the help. 

After looking at some build pics of the lw transformer I don't see a tab like the one I found. Looking at the pictures I believe my trans is complete. Still not sure why "u" has nothing. 

Wondering if it is worth taking to the repair shop?

[charliebrown]

Well after rereading some of the post I decided to reopen the transformer. I figured out where that tab went. It did connect under the direction tab. I super glued it in. So it now works! I also found why the light wasn't working. The wire is broke off. I may fix that later on. For right now I'm enjoying the fact that I got it working with a little help from my friends! Thanks again everybody.

I guess once I build my layout I will know if this transformer has enough power.

[TRAINCAT]

That part attaches to the "U" post, as you have found. If it is pulled through, you can get binding post repair posts to use a nut to hold it on. I am surprised you had connection after gluing it on. That wire to the lamp is often broken, or rotted off. Look also at the small wires in front, they too rot and break off.

Roger