I fell for a beautiful 0-4-4-0 ETS three rail logging locomotive and bought it. I am please with how well made it is, however, the instructions are written in Czech and I cannot read them. Is this loco AC or DC? The one thing I was able to ascertain fo the instructions are the voltage and Hz. which is 220V and 60 Hz. My Holiday Layout is running on a Lionel Type V Transformer and I have a small DC transformer at my disposal. Opinions?
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220v, 60 hz would be the input voltage for a ETS transformer, consumer electronics don't run above 50 volts. I don't have an ETS engine yet but I've been considering one and studying their website, which has recently changed. They make several different configurations of AC and DC in the same loco body. If you can figure out the whole part number you should be able to figure it out from the ETS website or just contact them. I would refrain from attempting to power it up until you here back from ets.
My ETS 'Western' 0-4-0 runs with any 3 rail AC transformer. Mine is super smooth runner. Congrats on the loco.....thought it was cool.....but I have gone scale so I'll pass on one. Photos??
Your regular 120 volt wall plug with Lionel or compatible Transformer will power it up.You can go to ETS web sight in English www.ets-trains.com and get the info that you need.
Mikey
You have three possibilities for the ETS locomotive.
First, if it has Lionel-type couplers, it almost certainly is set up to run on a US-type transformer (0-18VAC) and has a Lionel-type E-unit. Some older US-market ETS locomotives have two-position E-units but most have the usual three-position.
If it has European couplers, it might still be set up for US operation, or it might have one of two European configurations:
1. 0-20VAC operation with a Marklin type reverse unit that operates with a voltage spike. Unlikely, but possible.
2. Constant voltage operation with a rather bizarre proprietary ETS setup that controls the speed via frequency modulation of the 50-60Hz carrier. Also unlikely, but you never know. I have an ETS 2-rail setup that uses this system, and I'm pretty sure they also use it on home-market 3-rail.
I'd just give it a try with a regular US transformer, especially if it has Lionel type couplers. You could also post a scan of the instruction sheet. There might be somebody out there who speaks Czech, and while I don't speak Czech, I might be able to figure out enough from the pictures and text to make a good guess as to what it is.
The best source and safest thing to do so your locomotive does now go kaboom is to contact Dusan Neumann. He is the US Rep for ETS: dusan.neumann@gmail.com
He is always at York. He does respond to email as I had a question a few years ago.
It's running on my Holiday layout with my pre-war Lionel type V transformer. Thanks for the help.
The best source and safest thing to do so your locomotive does now go kaboom is to contact Dusan Neumann. He is the US Rep for ETS: dusan.neumann@gmail.com
He is always at York. He does respond to email as I had a question a few years ago.
I have one of the little ETS locos with European couplers but set-up for USA electricity. Runs great, certainly different.
The best source and safest thing to do so your locomotive does now go kaboom is to contact Dusan Neumann. He is the US Rep for ETS: dusan.neumann@gmail.com
He is always at York. He does respond to email as I had a question a few years ago.
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