Lionel KW Transformer - Part Deux

The KW, IMO, is absolutely worth refurbishing. 190 watts w/ two throttles, a great transformer for lights and accessories if not running an entire layout by itself.

Penn-Pacific posted:

The KW, IMO, is absolutely worth refurbishing. 190 watts w/ two throttles, a great transformer for lights and accessories if not running an entire layout by itself.

My thoughts exactly. Looking on eBay you can see prices and shipping costs all over the place and you don't know what you are getting.

I like the fact that the KW has the whistle buttons.

The only tricky part of replacing the cord on a KW is that you need to remove the coil to get to the solder connections underneath. I just did one. A little work but definitely doable. 

If mine was in that good shape, I would sure do what it takes to fix it.

palallin posted:

If mine was in that good shape, I would sure do what it takes to fix it.

My KW looks to be in really clean condition except for the cord, which is cracked in a few areas. That's why I haven't plugged it in.

Thanks for the advice.

I use two RW's - same capability as a KW but much easier to use.  I see reasonable looking RW's with sold prices in the $20-30 range.  Be sure the seller syas the whistle controls work.  These have the power cord attachmmnet terminals in an accessible place.  I'm no expert at soldering, but I have replaced a few RW cords and feel confident that I've done it right.  You hsve to be clever about cleaning off the tabs and bending the wires just right so they go through the holes easily - but don't do it unless you are sure you understand potential dangers in 110 vold wiring.

Here is a good video on what should be done to upgrade the KW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrYGQp1XrYY

RickM46 posted:

Here is a good video on what should be done to upgrade the KW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrYGQp1XrYY

Thanks very much - good video.

mlaughlinnyc posted:

I use two RW's - same capability as a KW but much easier to use.  I see reasonable looking RW's with sold prices in the $20-30 range.  Be sure the seller syas the whistle controls work.  These have the power cord attachmmnet terminals in an accessible place.  I'm no expert at soldering, but I have replaced a few RW cords and feel confident that I've done it right.  You hsve to be clever about cleaning off the tabs and bending the wires just right so they go through the holes easily - but don't do it unless you are sure you understand potential dangers in 110 vold wiring.

I haven't seen the RW's - how many watts? 

I have a LW that was given to me, but no cord at all. Someone snipped it right at the transformer.

The 110 Watt RW came out in 1948 as the replacement for the type R.  It was made until 1954 and replaced by the type LW in 1955.  The LW had a jazzy modern look but controls were (IMO) not as good.

mlaughlinnyc posted:

The 110 Watt RW came out in 1948 as the replacement for the type R.  It was made until 1954 and replaced by the type LW in 1955.  The LW had a jazzy modern look but controls were (IMO) not as good.

Just looked on eBay and I noticed that the LW's are not too expensive. I wonder if it's worth refurbishing?

I think that I will get the KW cleaned up as I also have a second ZW to be looked at.

The thing to do would be remove the handles and four top screws to inspect the rollers and determine if there was ever any sawing or heat damage to the windings visually. Bad windings makes it a parts piece. It may just need a new cord. 

The LW I'd be more careful with. The cord may have been cut for safety; preventing a "let's see" accidident.  It is the best looking transformer (in dim light) because the dial lights up. I'd sit with the lights off in a pitch black room and never fuddle for the throttle once.

It is also the highest watt single train unit they made. It is a bit more delicate than it's prewar predecessors though.

Outside of a ZWs brute force power, the KW & LW are my favorites.  I'd inspect them and go for it if they looked decent inside (where it counts )

when you go to replace the cord, don't pay $8.00 for  a new cord. Go to salvation army or goodwill, purchase a curling iron for $.99

cut the cord off through the curling iron away and use the "new" cord on your KW. I've been doing that for years.