GW-180

pr51713,

    I am not a fan of CW-80 transformers no matter with a brick or without.

I recommend a good KW or ZW transformer with DCS and 10 Amp Breakers.

I have given away many CW-80 transformers, invest in something more dependable

that gives far less problems.  You can usually pick up a rebuilt KW for around $75.00 at many of the different train shows, picked up a rebuilt KW at the last trains show here in Monroeville, Pa myself, for $75.00 and it runs perfect and delivers the power I needed.

PCRR/Dave

old ZW 275 for about $125.00

Or if you want to go lighter and less money 

 the old Lionel KW Transformer is still good stuff

The GW180 offering is part of the latest transformer tech at Lionel.  There are 2 channels, designed just like the ZWL electronics.  I use them at home and at the office, and really like it. The output has fast acting shutdown to protect your trains and accessories. 

I guess this could be seen as biased, but to balance it out I don't like the CW-80.  Everyone I have ever had has failed - and that annoying fan noise.  (the GW-180 does not have or need a fan).

SantaFeFan,

   I sure understand your thinking and if you happen to get one that works correctly

fine.  To me however the GW 180 is just a CW-80 with a brick and I do not like Bricks very much either.  The old KW definitely needs the 10 Amp Breakers to go with it, but they are a proven transformer over many many years, and the ZW is even  better.

PCRR/Dave

I had the CW-80 and I was annoyed by the fan too. I was planning on getting the 180 Watt Powerhouse (6-22983), but a hobby shop pointed out that he used the CW80 for the accessories and you can change the wattage on that, where as the 180 Watt Powerhouse would force the power to be 100%. With the GW-180, looks like I get both worlds...180 KW with a switch that allows me to lower the power on my accessories.

But I was concern that the GW-180 (IE Looks like a CW 80 with a powerhouse attached to it) might have the issues that CW 80 has.

I'm open to recommendations.

The GW180 is nothing like the CW80 internally.  We reused the CW80 case, as the tooling time would have been excessive if completely new tooling was attempted.  The electronics in the GW180 are solid; and identical to the ZWL core components.

I can't wait to open one up.

"This is not your Dad's old BW"

jon,

   No offense, when I see the new GW180 preform for 10 years without problems

like the old KW & ZW,  then I will consider purchasing one.  Just looking at the old CW80 shell makes me shy away from it.

PCRR/Dave

Thanks Jon

I'll probably end up buying it, but was just curious about the product and asked people on what they thought of it.

Completely understandable.  I keep hoping Marketing will retire the CW80.

I have a rebuilt ZW275 and am curious now. So if I put some sort of modern breaker, not sure what amps but please tell me, that I can use my reliable, rebuilt 50 year old ZW275 even with new loco's of today and all their electronics?

I have five CW-80s on my permanent layout that have performed flawlessly for several years.  I think they're terrific and even keep a couple of spares on hand for setting up temporary carpet layouts.  I recommend them to everyone that doesn't want to invest in a $200+ transformer.

Please note that brand new CW-80's can be had off eBay for ~$45... eBay user jopchen always has a few up; I've grabbed several from him.

richboss302

You will need an external breaker for each throttle that you use for railpower such as

A-U and D-U,  the main throttles.

I am now using 180 watt PowerHouses but when using my 3 pw ZWs I had 7 and 10 amp Potter-Brumfield external breakers from Mouser Electronics such as pictured below. Also very workable are the resettable auto type breakers that one can get at Auto Zone,etc. Or you can cartridge fuse the output which requires more maintenance when they blow.[Mouser product # shown on the breaker]

I used 7 amp breakers on a power district[s] that had only a train with engine and lighted caboose---a light load compared to the long lighted passenger trains and districts containing two trains which had 10 amp breakers.

The total output of the pw 275 ZW is about 180-200 watts or up to about 11 amps depending on the  heat/efficiency. I point this out because if you ran the total capacity [11 amps]through a single throttle it could trip a 10 amp breaker. However that event is very unlikely if you are using more than one throttle which will split the total output between the less than 10 amp railpower load in each of the two or more power districts.

You can mount the breakers on 1/8"Masonite, or place them in a Radio Shack project box[a "Breaker Box"]. 

Also shown below is a Transient Voltage Suppressor[TVS] wired across the A-U binding posts of a pw ZW.

If, if you plan to operate modern locomotives with electronic circuit boards you should equip every power district[throttle] output wih a TVS to clamp voltage spikes...which a circuit breaker will not do.[Mouser #625 1.5KE 36 CA]

RichBoss302,

   These men are giving you good advise, all you need is a set of Scott 10 Amp breakers in front of your old ZW 275 and you can run all the new DCS and Legacy

equipment, without purchasing a new expensive transformer.

Rich does a real good job explaining all this on the OGR DCS Video Guide, even shows how to set it up, Barry's DCS O Gauge Companion, 2nd additon also has all this education in it.  My fair sized layout runs with 2 ZW's and 2 KW's along with a Z4K.

PCRR/ Dave

Notice the 10 Amp Breaker banks in front of the ZW transformers

controlling the DCS layout.

How many of you realize exactly who SantaFeFan ("jon") is, and what a great resource he can be to this forum?

wolverine

richboss302

As Dave noted above , and I omitted, Scott's Odds and Ends has a four channel 10 amp Breaker Box for $30.

Wolveine's quiz? Jon is the technical director at Lionel and a real asset for us.

wolverine,

   Most of us know Jon is Lionel engineering, and we are very greaful for his participation.  That especially includes me.

PCRR/Dave