My CW-80 (G) only goes to 13.5volts. The accessory side only goes to 13.5 when the programming buttons are pushed and the lever is raised all the way, but as soon as I let go of the programming buttons it goes to zero, not matter what I do I cant get the programmed voltage to hold on the accessory side. I am thinking of just tossing this in the trash, I just got a ZW and was going to sell this and my non G version. My other CW-80s are fine and have served me well.
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Check the instructions one more time...
If I remember right. After setting the voltage you have to move the
arm back to off. I think you might be missing one step...
I am thinking of just tossing this in the trash. . .
I'd probably do that - not worth the trouble of fixing it and I would not trust a repaired unit that much anyway.
I have four and all gave good service except for the problem common the many - the fan bearings wore a bit loose and it would chatter and moan, particularly when cold. I recently tossed two that still work but I don't really need them with my ZW-L now.
Have had two go bad, and a buddy of mine had 3 go bad.
Contact Lionel directly and they will have you cut the cord
off and pull the orange handle off and send both back to them and
they will send you a new CW.
My CW-80 (G) only goes to 13.5volts...
What are you using to measure the voltage? Are you measuring with a load? Do the trains run OK? The CW typically will not give accurate voltage readings with a meter costing less than $300.
You actually are skipping the last step of the programming by not lowering the lever all the way. RTFM is what the engineers would say.
Yes, I lowered the Arm. I have 4 CW-80s. No I dont have a $300 meter, my $10 harbor Freight meter has no problem reading 18+ volts on the other three and has no problem reading the voltage on my ZW and TW. 
Even Better - I just got off with Lionel Customer Service, they said to cut the cord off and pop off the handle and they are sending me an RMA. Once they get it handle and cord they will send me a new CW-80. 
thats what I said!!!!!!!!!!!
I gues they have replaced 100s
if not 1000s of those.
personnal I think they are a useless transformer.
give me the old ZWs, run em fast and furious!!!
thats what I said!!!!!!!!!!!
I gues they have replaced 100s
if not 1000s of those.
personnal I think they are a useless transformer.
give me the old ZWs, run em fast and furious!!!
Thank you that was a great idea.
These certainly have been problematic for Lionel, makes a 1033 or an LW look like a bargain.
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