Re: New Transformer

On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 5:56 PM, Ira Schneider <ira_schneider@iname.com> wrote:

Hi,

I installed a new, industrial type transformer in the power cart. If you are running a
high-powered train, you might want to try using this transformer (as an alternative
to bringing your own Lionel ZW).

The transformer is rated at 22 volts / 20 amps. I ran two passenger trains simultaneously
on track two using this transformer and the power monitor read 17 volts at 9.5 amps.
(With the standard Lionel transformers (2 x 135 watt), the same trains ran at
12 volts at around 9 amps. The trains ran noticeably slower since the transformers
only delivered about 12 volts to the track.)

To use this transformer:

1. Turn off the standard transformer(s) for your track. For tracks 1 and 2, there
are two transformers for each track, located at the front of the bottom shelf
of the power cart. For tracks 3 and 4 there is one transformer for each
track, located near the back of the bottom shelf of the power cart.

2. There is a banana jack panel at the back of the bottom shelf of the power cart.
The jacks are labeled 1-5 and AUX. 1-4 are the normal transformers, 5 is
the new transformer, and AUX connects to the auxiliary input terminal strip
on the left side of the bottom shelf. There are four banana plugs coming down
from the second shelf. These banana plugs feed power to the tracks. Find
the banana plug for your track, unplug it from the normal banana jack, and
plug it into the jack labeled 5.

3. Turn on the transformer. The power switch is located next to the transformer
near the right side of the bottom shelf of the power cart behind the transformer
for track 4. The green light next to the power switch will turn on when the power
is on. There is a 15 amp circuit breaker on the other side of the power light.

You may use this transformer on any track. If the circuit breaker in the power monitor
trips when you are running your train (and the train has not derailed), you may disable
the power monitor circuit breaker for your track by turning the toggle switch next to
the LED for your track to the bottom position. The yellow LED will light, reminding you
that the power monitor circuit breaker is disabled. If your train derails (or draws more
power than can be supplied by the transformer), the circuit breaker next to the
green light for the transformer will trip. As usual, the red\green LED in the power
monitor will go dark if the transformer's circuit breaker is tripped.

When you are finished using this transformer, please turn off the transformer and
move the banana plug back to the normal jack (1-4), turn on the nromal transformer(s),
and turn the toggle switch on the power monitor back to the up position to re-enable
the power monitor circuit breaker.

When using this transformer, you may experience a problem with the sound system
on some TMCC engines. I don't understand why this problem exists. The transformer
is a simple wire wound transformer (the same technology as the Lionel postwar transformers)
and the TMCC sound system is supposed to work with this type of transformer. The last
time we tested this transormer, TMCC engines appeared to work OK except for
the sound system on some engines. Try it and see.

I ran two MTH Protosound 2.0 engines using this transformer today and they worked
well, including their sound systems.

Good luck. And Happy New Year!

Ira

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