Lionel PRR Flyer Won't Run FNR on CW80 but Will on MTH Z1000

What happen in the following scenerio? Disconnect one side of one power lead from the track or  Turn up transformer to mid level or a take lower. try to cycle the engine between

forward and reverse by momentarily touching the one lead that was disconnected.

Does it reverse?

Check this out.

Shawn - will try that in the AM and report back. Thanks. Appreciate it. 

Rob - Thanks for the link. Missed that thread apparently. Regardless interesting information and I'd really be scratching my head if a lighted caboose worked. The CW has always been fine with Lionel, as it should, and haven't had an issue with the voltage not dropping far enough. Granted I haven't used it to really run trains (other than a bump and go trolley) in a few years but still, nothing changed that would cause an issue unless it is age...?       

Rob,

exactly where I was heading...

I know.

Well, you mentioned having "minor" repair work just completed. Might one of those repairs included replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs ?

Eric

Nope. I was very strict on keeping it "original"....

Tried Shawn's suggestion of taping the lead and seeing what happens - works perfectly. 

Tried adding a caboose per the suggestion in Rob's thread - no luck. 

Any way to fix this without buying a new transformer? A multimeter does not show and residual voltage coming out of the transformer. 

The CW-80 residual voltage needs to be tested with a load.  What version is on the bottom of the CW-80.  Lionel made some mods internally, Though that doesn't explain why it worked before and not know with the PRR.  What was done to it?  G

G - The Xformer has a build date of March 2004. I did not see a version or rev. number. Not sure if they had fixed the problems by then or not or I've just been lucky for the past 11 years. 

SJC,

   If your trains are functioning perfectly with the Z-1000 what does that tell you about your CW-80.  Sounds to me like you do not want anyone addressing your real problem.

You can call it piling on or what ever you like, identify and address your real engineering problem.  Use your CW-80 for your bumper cars, and invest in a better more powerful transformer to run your trains.  IMO the smallest modern transformer people should be running is the Z-1000.  If you have an old ZW, put the Scott type breakers between your transformer & the TIU, use the DCS hand held remote to operate with, and everything will run perfectly.  You know how to eliminate your problem already, the Z-1000 has proven it to you.

PCRR/Dave

Dave, 

It isn't avoiding the issue that the CW80 is a problem child. I've seen time and time again any quirk or comment about the CW80 on this forum turns into a "pile on" about how terrible of a transformer it is. I wasn't looking for that. I was wondering if there was some sort of easy fix to my problem such as a reset or whatever. 

Regardless, I just ordered a new Z-500 from Trainworld. 

Wouldn't putting a couple of lighted street lamps, or a 200uF NON-POLAR capacitor (in a ventilated metal enclosure) across the output terminals make the CW-80 usable for his purposes?  -Ted

SJC,

   It has never been my intention to bad mouth any particular piece of gear made by any particular company, entry level gear of any kind has it's limitations and some

have more problems than others.  In-expensive small transformers cause more problems than they are worth most times, IMO they are not worth expending money on.  I think you made a wise move to purchase a new and bigger transformer, I do think you will find the Z-500 a might small for your needs in the long run, however it is a much better transformer than any CW-80, no matter when it was made.  I know the cost of a good transformer keeps going up, and some people do not want to, or can not afford to, invest in a larger power supply.  In the long run however, the larger high quality power supplies are definitely the way to go for building layouts on a repeat basis.

PCRR/Dave

MSRP on a Z-500 is ~$70 VS a Z-1000 for ~$110 (Rounded up to whole dollars)

I'd get the Z-1000, more bang for your bucks - it also has a 14VAC aux power connection.

Case in point, my LHS only stocks the Z-1000 and he sells it for $99.95 (No sales tax here)

I own several of the bricks, one full Z-1000.

I can understand the concern for a Z500 being a bit small. That is fine. I'm running a very small 0-27 loop with it. Not going to be running anything other than a small engine and a handful of cars. 

I've got 2 Z-1000s powering everything else. I'm not concerned about the 500 being small or inadequate and the price was right for me. Sure a 1000 may have been a better call but at the end of the day, 500 was better in price point on a very tight budget these days. FYI....a new CW80 is listed at $150....WOW! Some points of the CW I like a lot such as the accessory voltage and "all in one" construction but not at $150.