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Fellow PW enthusiasts,

I would like clarification of the output of Postwar Lionel transformers please. Does this circuit put out + or -- DC current, and what voltage should I measure? Also what is the correct orientation (anode-cathode) of a diode to replace a Postwar transformer rectifier disk to produce the correct offset to the track? I ask because I discovered an old 80's era horn circuit board (unknown mfg.) that won't respond to the whistle button on an LW in which I installed a diode to replace a bad disc, but will respond to the horn (not whistle) button on a full TMCC setup on a loop of track.

Also I guess will a postwar horn/whistle relay respond to either a + or -- DC offset ?

I'm getting so confused!

Thanks in advance,

AC

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I think you mean "bell" when you say "horn."

When the DC offset is one direction, it activates the whistle (steam) or horn (diesel). When it is the other direction, it operates the bell.

Lionel misprinted some technical information in the past about diode orientation. As a result, I purchased a rebuilt KW transformer with a diode replaced backward that operates the bell but no whistle.

It sounds like you may have followed the same incorrect information and installed your diode backward.

You can either reverse the polarity, or Train Tender sells a disk that reverses the polarity that you can install on top of the backward diode, if that's the type of diode you have.

Positive DC offset is for the horn/whistle, negative DC offset for the bell.  You can power the track and use a DC voltmeter to measure the offset.  Modern transformers will have either + or - 2 to 2.5 volts, postwar transformers will have + 2-3v pickup voltage and about a 0.5-1 volt hold voltage depending on how far the whistle handle/button is pushed/turned.

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