Why do dealers keep running out of stock on these power supply's?
It seems Lionel can't make them fast enough, they are always on back order. So frustrating when you need one!
Crazy!
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They haven't been produced since around 2014, they're supposed to be back in production and in stock in late summer. There is a story, something about changing production houses, losing the design, etc. I know it was mentioned it was being redesigned, I hope they don't screw up the excellent circuit breaker the old one has. 
Good grief; it's only a power supply. I could turn Lionel onto an A1 manufacturer in China that could turn this in months, although maybe a year with UL. They are a magnetic shop.
Before all the naysayers jump in about Chinese manufacturing, the USA company that I work for has been using this same supplier for 25 years. Not all Chinese manufacturers are unreliable or deceitful or produce inferior product.
Thanks for the reply John. I had no idea that 2014 was the last run. That explains why these can't be found at any dealers now. That just sucks!
I agree Keith, you would think something like a power supply would be easy enough. lol
Well looks like I will wait until the end of summer.
Well, it's a bit more than a transformer core and a breaker!
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I know, but that's not rocket science either. The shop I refer to is also a CM.
You still can buy new 180-Watt PowerHouses. You just have to buy a GW-180 transformer to get one. Higher margins likely are the reason for directing the "limited" supply to GW-180 purchasers.
What, me worry?
Alfred E Neuman posted:You still can buy new 180-Watt PowerHouses. You just have to buy a GW-180 transformer to get one. Higher margins likely are the reason for directing the "limited" supply to GW-180 purchasers.
What, me worry?
Nope - The GW-180s are backordered too! Just checked a half-dozen of the internet guys and nobody has any.
Just FYI, there has been a delay on the PH180 (and subsequently the GW-180) because of new FCC Testing regulations. We're redesigning the circuitry to meet the new regulations. We do plan on having these ship before the end of the year.
Thanks
Looks like a good time to make a killing selling my PH180's! 
gunrunnerjohn posted:Looks like a good time to make a killing selling my PH180's!
May be.. I saw one on 'the bay' the other day for $225...........
Dave Olson posted:Just FYI, there has been a delay on the PH180 (and subsequently the GW-180) because of new FCC Testing regulations. We're redesigning the circuitry to meet the new regulations. We do plan on having these ship before the end of the year.
Thanks
Don't just love the FCC................
I don't doubt that the FCC has their knickers in a twist over something, seeing as that is their full time job. I'm still curious what sort of radio interference a transformer and a couple op-amps could cause that requires a redesign. Any run of the mill switching power supply has to be more of a problem than this thing, right? Tax dollars at work.
JGL
JohnGaltLine posted:I don't doubt that the FCC has their knickers in a twist over something, seeing as that is their full time job. I'm still curious what sort of radio interference a transformer and a couple op-amps could cause that requires a redesign. Any run of the mill switching power supply has to be more of a problem than this thing, right? Tax dollars at work.
JGL
You never know, Lionel might have redesigned it with a uP or something along those lines. That's the trend nowadays.
The CW-80 has a uP, so it's not out of the question...
gunrunnerjohn posted:The CW-80 has a uP, so it's not out of the question...
Well, just talking here, if I were King I think I would use the protection functionality of the Legacy Powermaster in the PH-180. A hard current limit to prevent serious damage from a direct short is even better than fast acting, in my book.
Just my $.02 worth. We will see what Lionel has in mind.
You can get them all day long from private sellers…YEA I know…..but if you need it- you need it right? Nick
I guess the point is, the testing process is the same for what the FCC calls an "unintentional radiator" no matter what is inside the device. As long as the thing doesn't emit interference that will disrupt licensed radio bands it should pass an inspection and easily be certified. Now it may be that the previous design just didn't require this testing under the rules in place, and a new design using a microprocessor does, and that would make sense. Even in that case, however, the process to get approver is pretty straight forward. Pay the $1,000 to a registered testing facility, get a rubber stamp. Unless, of course, for some reason the design doesn't meet the requirements... though I see no reason a power supply run by a micro would have any trouble with this.
JGL
