CW80 Transformer

Watch this:

http://www.lionel.com/Customer....cfm?documentID=6257

I really like the variable feature, useful for lots of stuff!

Ed

That is what I did & that is exactly what the instructions are in the manual that came with the transformer

Ken M

So you're saying that whatever you set the acc to, the variable side is limited to that. Try a few settings...set it to say 6 vac and see.

If that is not the case, that the variable side does not follow, then I would suspect a coincidence of something being wrong with the variable side and you happened to set the acc to that same value.

I'm quite sure I know what the problem is.

What is connected to the accessory posts?

II want to use it for my fastrack power so that I can use that transformer for my bench. The track power is connected to my streets track

Ken M

Try the other black "U" post. the blacks are not common, the reds are(on unit made before "G" code).

Ken, the CW-80 acc side is set at 12 v from the factory, the manual suggests to increase the acc side v turn down the track power to off, hold down the 3 buttons, direction, horn & bell, then increase track power slowly until you reach a higher voltage for the acc side.  You can find these instructions on page 9 of the CW-80 manual.

I have a CW-80 my grand kids just gave me to fix, my problem is trying to get the cover off since I see no circuit breaker reset and no power is present, not even to the green light.

The only clue I see to removing the cover is using a triangle headed screwdriver, which I don't have.  Any suggestions anyone.  Thanks.

Jack

See "Opening the Case" at

http://www.trainfacts.com/trainfacts/?p=34

for a description of how to use a 1/8" flat-blade screwdriver on the triangular-head screws.

Thanks Dale, I've tried every screwdriver I have, now I will measure for 1/8th inch blade.

The screw head is about 2" inside the case and impossible to measure, and is a blind assembly to see when placing the blade to the screw head.  Hopefully Santa can now get to the problem. 

Jack

You could grind one corner off a square screw driver. Grind and try, grind and try...I did it that way the first time.

I have a red and black on both posts coming from the  and then the track

Ken M

You're going to have to be more specific - this doesn't make any sense.

On older CW's. the red posts("A" & "B") ARE common(Black "U" under "A" is train variable, Black "U" under "B" is programmable accessory variable).  This is likely the root of your issue.

So you are saying that the hot & common on the CW80 are just the opposite of the power from a ZWC?

Ken M

The first run of the CW80s were the opposite of the ZWC, then in about 2006 or 2007 after many complaints, etc., they changed them to the same as the ZWC. You can tell the later ones by the date code on the bottom. The later ones' date code starts with the letter G and are the same as the ZWC with the U terminals common.

Not opposite, quite, as the ZW-C does not have red & black posts. BUT, yes, otherwise, the red posts("A" & "B") are common to each other,  black "U" under "A" is train variable output/hot, black "U" under "B" is the programmable accessory variable/hot.  Once the CW versions with a "G" date on the bottom came out, the "U" posts became common.

The "U" posts on all ZW iterations are common to each other.

Thank you Rob got it fixed.

Ken M

So the fix was?

It was the older CW80 so I just moved the connections

Ken M

Some CW-80 a flat tip can work, others you need the correct drive, or youhave to drill the screws out.  I have found on many CW the screws are over torqued and seem to fuse to the plastic.  Others come out easy.  G

I am a newbie restarting with Lionel and have an old original CW-80 transformer.  I have been following this and similar threads with interest.   I am a bit confused and would appreciate a bit of clarification.  My questions:

1) using the CW-80, do I still use the red train terminal on the CW-80 for the central rail if all I have is one connection to the track (say for a simple oval of track) or should the center rail be wired to black.  Does it matter in this instance

2) what is the significance of the red being common (which is I gather what has happened) on the old CW-80 transformers.  Does this impact how common rail wiring would be connected to the transformer i.e common bus wire now would be connected to red?

3) will all the Lionel accessories operate properly if the common is now wired to red?

4) Is the wiring issue something I should worry about operating in conventional transformer mode or with LC+ in an eventual double oval 6X10ish layout

5) I know, move away from the cw-80 to a GW or Z - yes eventually.

You have no problems if you only power the track, or if you only use accessories that are not tied in any way to the track, such as building lighting.  The problem arises when you try to external-power switches or operate accessories such as cattle cars or uncouple/unload tracks.

If you connect the U terminal to the outer rail, the whistle/horn and bell functions will work properly.  If you invert the connections to get the Commons to be together, the buttons will be reversed, and since the Bell has a delay normally, your whistle/horn will now have a delay.

Tollow up to earlier post

Layout progressing with train running on inner loop with Xovers ets.  Now looking to add several switches to inner loop and then construct the connected outer loop. Undecided as to 1 block (LC +) or conventional operation with 2 transformers other than old CW-80 at some point

Only using the old CW-80 to now run engine and test track, bus. drops etc and so far so good.  Layout is one block for testing

My questions on the old CW-80

1) I am now using the A+U combo for the train - red A terminal to center rail but understand from foregoing posts that the black U terminal is the variable out - should that be connected to the center rail instead or does it matter.

2) will FT switches work properly using only track power and the old CW-80 - again with red A to center or should it be black U to centre for the proper functioning of the switches.  Do not want to damage them in test mode.

3) will FT switches operate if I were to use the B side terminals to power them - any special wiring considerations due to use of old CW-80

4) will FT uncouple track work with old CW-80

Thank you in advance