My relatively new Lionel CW 80 seems to have died on me. NO output. I had it shut down a couple of times before, but it always came back after I unplugged it and let it set. Green light is on and steady, but no juice. Am I looking at sending it to mother Lionel, or is there something I need/can check?
Thanks,
YJ
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If its new you can contact Lionel, I prefer email but you can also call.
They typically request that you cut off the cord and send the cord to them and then will send you a new one.
The old one can then be used as a boat anchor
Yukon Jack,
Contact Lionel, send the CW-80 back and tell them to replace it with a good old KW,every time I see one of these CW-80 posts, it makes me wonder why Lionel ever built the darn things. Really make them red faced and ask them to replace it with the little K-line transformer, which they now own the rights too.
PCRR/Dave
My relatively new Lionel CW 80 seems to have died on me. NO output. I had it shut down a couple of times before, but it always came back after I unplugged it and let it set. Green light is on and steady, but no juice. Am I looking at sending it to mother Lionel, or is there something I need/can check?
Thanks,
YJ
If its new you can contact Lionel, I prefer email but you can also call.
They typically request that you cut off the cord and send the cord to them and then will send you a new one.
The old one can then be used as a boat anchor
LOL! Now that funny! Anywho, thanks guys, I will call Lionel and give them ....heck!
YJ
Yukon Jack,
Contact Lionel, send the CW-80 back and tell them to replace it with a good old KW,every time I see one of these CW-80 posts, it makes me wonder why Lionel ever built the darn things. Really make them red faced and ask them to replace it with the little K-line transformer, which they now own the rights too.
PCRR/Dave
Would that K-Line be the K-950? Will the K-950 run the old Lionel and Marx stuff?
If the green light is on, that means the transformer core and fuse are good. Probably one of the triacs blew. Not an easy fix.
Rather than a boat anchor, you could disassemble it and use it as a fixed voltage brick for command control.
and don't forget how easy they are to replace, if you go back thru the pages in our for sale forum there are at least 5 newish ones for sale under $50 and one guy selling 3 for $80 I think.
From what I have read there are is an older and newer version of the CW 80 transformer. I believe the newer model is much more reliable. Most of the one's you see for sale is the older model which owners are attempting to dump. In my opinion you may be way ahead to purchase a transformer with a better track record.
If it is in warranty, Lionel most likely will replace it. I would not own one myself. The old Lionel 1033 is a far better unit.
Steve, Lady and Tex
Or replace it with an MTH Z-750 or a Z-1000. Those are great little units and don't seem to misbehave.
I like the way they follow the controller handle - putting the voltage where you want it, when you want it. The automatic delay and ramp up and ramp down of the CW-80 is disconcerting to me. Perhaps I am easily confused.
The good ones are date coded G on the bottom and I think all for sale are G. The "bad" ones were made several years ago. There is a detailed thread on this if you search.
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