Lionel Type V Transformer

The type V transformer is an Ok choice for operating accessories BUT! This is an old transformer, Check it out thoroughly before use and put a fuse or circuit breaker in line with each output line.

Al

I think it's a great idea. I have one running at four different voltages. It's perfect at 8 volts for my AF oil drum loader, 13 for the milk car, and keeps bulbs lasting longer at lower voltages. They are also reasonably priced; I paid under $50.

          John

I would second Al's suggesting, circuit protection on each output circuit, don't count on the transformer to protect you.

Thanks again fellas. Installed Scott's Odds & Ends 15amp circuit breaker as my protection.

A 15 amp circuit breaker would imply that you wiring downstream of the breaker can sustain 15 amps without overheating - probably #16 or maybe #18 wire everywhere.  Is that the case?

At this point it is 22 guage wire. I don't know what "down stream" means butstarting at V transformer the sequence is V positive post....breaker......bumper (currently with original bulb but soon to be  a n 18V LED) . IS my wire adequate? Should I stick with a 12V LED? I also have a ZW I can call on and I am no opposed to buying some type of MTH accessory transformer.I run DCS/TMCC with a Z 4000. Can yu make any sense of the above mess?

I have serious doubts about a 15 amp breaker protecting #22 wire.

You can test this for yourself by connecting a short (12") piece of your #22 wire from the breaker directly to the common/U terminal of the transformer.  Keep the wire away from anything flammable, and have a fire extinguisher handy just in case.  Advance the voltage slowly and see if the breaker pops before the wire burns!

I would get rid of that 22 gauge wire.

Where did this table come from?  I would like to understand the difference between the 110V and 12V columns.

My question also Dale. Usually these charts are based on percent of voltage drop and wire heating. In this case the 12 volt column would seem to be way too large.

Al

quote:

 Keep the wire away from anything flammable, and have a fire extinguisher handy just in case.  Advance the voltage slowly and see if the breaker pops before the wire burns!

And be careful not to touch the wire or terminals. They probably will get HOT!

So if I switch to 18V LEDs as John has enticed me to do, what guage wire should I use???? What is a simple way protect the new wire  and #260 bumpers from the transformer??? Will the 15 Amp breakers do it (they are already mounted)? Do I go to an in-line fuse??? Do I swap out the Type V  altogether for some thing else??? I am starting to feel the Type V is a ticking Time bomb.

If you have LED's, you won't need any significant current for those.  If that's all you're powering from that power circuit, you can use a very small fuse or breaker, say 1-2 amps.

billhowell75, I would suggest you find yourself a book on simple electrical application at a local library. You are starting to ask questions that have answers that while correct are confusing. The type "V" transformer can put out more current than you need but what ever light you use will only use the current it needs. If the transformer will put out 15 amps but the light needs only 1/100 of that the light will only draw 1/100 of that current. As you can see only a small wire is needed BUT! if you should develop a short in the wiring the short will try to draw as much current as the transformer will supply. If your wire is too small the wire will burn causing a fire. For that reason it is better to have 15 one amp circuit breakers, one for each of 15 wire runs with 18 gauge wire than one 15 amp circuit breaker and everything connected to it using 18 or smaller wire. The 1 amp breaker will limit the current to one amp which the 22 gauge wire should handle in case of a short. Just because you can does not always mean you should.

Al

It's always an excellent idea to learn about some of this stuff for yourself, makes the whole process much easier.

His small wire size and limited load is the point of suggesting a small fuse or breaker. 

A 15 amp breaker with a #22 gauge wire is like a cigarette lighter in a car, it will glow cherry red, way too many amps for #22 gauge wire.

A 15 amp breaker needs #14 gauge wire or the wire will over heat.

Most of our model trains in O gauge would do well with an 8 amp fuse or breaker coming off a postwar Lionel transformer.

Lee F.

THank you all for the wise counsel. This is the solution I intend to use. If any one wants to disabuse me of this approach, please do:

Power Supply: I am sticking with the Type V transformer at 18V.

Wire: #22 gauge

Protection: 1.0-2.5 amp circuit breaker fromAll Electronics.

Powered:1. Lionel #260 track Bumpers with 18V LEDs wired seperately from the track.

2. My Z-1000 switch machines on channel #2 at 12V. 

3. Ross Custom Switches #50 brass switchstands on Channel #3 at 10V.

4. Channel#4 to be determined.

Channels #1-3 will be protccted with the circuit breakers.

One more thought. Since it is still early in the process, is the simpler solution to just increase the wire . Is that the weak link to this question??

Thanks all.

You are much better off with the reduced-current circuit breakers.  If you were to upgrade the wire to the accessories, you would still need to worry about the wire size inside the accessories themselves.  You certainly aren't going to get a large-gauge wire into a Z-1000!  The same goes for the small wires used inside buildings to run LED or incandescent lights.  Feed these devices from a circuit breaker or fuse of modest capacity.

By the way, I always recommend circuit breakers that are also switches.  This allows you the option of turning OFF a specific power branch for troubleshooting, servicing or new additions.

Another downside of increasing the wire size is it's larger, more expensive, and usually a bit harder to work with.  With properly rated breakers, smaller wire is fine.

To work with larger wire sizes there is always stranded wire, might be a few cents more per foot, but is more flexible than solid wire.

Lee F.