Is aLionel"Q" 75 watt transformer okay just to see if Zephyr Runs???

Provided the Lionel Q transformer is in serviceable condition, it can power any AC compatible train in conventional mode.

bmoran4 posted:

Provided the Lionel Q transformer is in serviceable condition, it can power any AC compatible train in conventional mode.

Hello,and thanks for your reply.

My biggest concern is if I should run the "HOT WIRE to the center rail,and the Ground to the outside rail

.MTH has a guide in the DCS manual you get when you buy the system,and some Lionel transformers have the "HOT WIRE" going to the outside rail,and the common(or Ground) goes to the center rail

Most of them have the HOT WIRE running to the Center rail,but there are models of Lionel transformers that the manual tells you to do it the opposite way.This is what I wanted to know.I"m about to try something,it's only a board,I guess I can get another one if I toast it.Or I might wait until my Z-750 controller and brick get here Monday or Tuesday.

Kenny,

The train itself dosen't care about the polarity; you won't fry it by "incorrect polarity" of the center and outer rails.

However, there are conventions in O Gauge where the outer rail is "universal/ground" and the center rail is the varying track voltage. There is also the additional layer of the DC offset used to control the horn/whistle and bell controls which has a polarity that generally builds upon the earlier convention. Again, reversing the polarity in the DC offset layer will not fry your locomotive; the horn/whistle and bell controls will be reversed.

The following excerpt from the Lionel service documents shows the valid configuration for your model Q Tranformer:

Thank you! I just wanted to be sure,I think I"ll be okay with the U as common,and "A" as variable.I'm gonna go see if this thing runs!!!!

Success!!!!Lights!!! Smoke!!! Forward,nuetral,reverse!!!!! But where is the sound????This is a proto 2.0 Burlington Zephyr,I changed the battery when I was cleaning it up,but I have a brand new battery downstairs. Do you think that will make the sound come on???I took out the old white battery,and I guess maybe this one is no good,it had juice when I put my tongue on it(like the kid I am),but it looks like we will try a fresh Energizer just for this test run. I am happy,maybe it won't make sounds until the whole consisit is hooked up. Anyone know anything about these MTH Zephyr sets????-Kenny

Well,I think I need a transformer with a whistle and bell button to get any sound action going.Just read the operators manual,and it says it can run in conventional mode with any transformer WITH a whistle and bell button.

This "Q"Lionel Transformer from the 40"s-50's has no horn or bell whistle.

She lights up, runs very smooth F-N-R, Smoke Unit is working,and best of all, no magic smoke or smell of it around the board. I imagine that;s the best results you can hope for using an old transformer with no whistle or bell buttons!!!!!

I think I will take the energizer back out and see what  happens tomorrow. Good Evening gentlemen,thanks for your advice and help.

just gotta get it dialed in now.Check all the wires again,and go and borrow a remote from my buddy tomorrow.

Once it's hooked  up through the TIU,it should be a whole nother ballgame

Look at the sound volume pot on the engine. If it's turned all the way down, you'll get no sound at all.

Yea, you should have start up and running sounds already, just no whistle/bell because it is prewar and the whistle control was in a seperate box.

  Also note that Q has a 24v output, you better measure the voltage without the train and limit yourself to 18v (I think that voltage is right, but read the manual) That full 24v might cook a board.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Look at the sound volume pot on the engine. If it's turned all the way down, you'll get no saound at all.

Hello Barry,This engine has only one pot on it, which is for the volume .(according to the manual referenced on the MTH web site)and a smoke ON/OFF switch.

I  was hoping that it was just turned down,but that would have been too easy of a fix!!!!  

After I check all of the connections later today,and if still no sound,its off to the repairman this one goes!!!

I got a such a ridiculous deal on this set, I never even expected it to even go around the track.

It has cleaned up very well cosmetically, and now that it has shown signs of life, I can spend a few bucks  to get the sounds going,.  P.S.-I bought the DCS Companion,but the computer I saved it on to went kaput.

.How can I save it onto this new computer ???Or do I have to purchase it again? Thanks for your comment. Many times we over look the most obvious answer to a problem,especially when you are a novice guy like me trying to get one of these older MTH engines going again Thanks Kenny Baughman

How can I save it onto this new computer ???

Just go the Kibo/Shopatron web site, login and download it again at no charge.

I thought you were done with trains Kenny?

MattR posted:

I thought you were done with trains Kenny?

I tried. My life is just not complete without O gauge trains. I thought I was done with women too,after my divorce!!!! Somethings in life we just cannot live without,and O gauge trains happen to be one of them.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

How can I save it onto this new computer ???

Just go the Kibo/Shopatron web site, login and download it again at no charge.

Barry,I am having no luck with that link you sent me for the DCS companion.I believe I ordered mine through Ogaugerr somehow,I never saw that site you linked me to-Any help appreciated-Kenny

Could be the speaker. Those speakers that are used with the 9 volt battery system are known to go bad.

Kenny,

I am having no luck with that link you sent me for the DCS companion.I believe I ordered mine through Ogaugerr somehow,

If you purchased the book through OGR, then you'll have to call them to get the a replacement copy.