Is there a list of the power requirements for Lionel O Gauge accessories? It would be nice to be able to plan my layout ahead of time with no guesswork as to the number and type of power sources I'll need.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
@Tom Lake posted:Is there a list of the power requirements for Lionel O Gauge accessories? It would be nice to be able to plan my layout ahead of time with no guesswork as to the number and type of power sources I'll need.
Hi Tom,
Postwar, modern, all of the above?
Below is a link to the 1954 How to operate Lionel trains and accessories manual
https://ogrforum.com/...83860657/Booklet.pdf
PDF page 14 lists several voltage requirements.
PDF page 46 discusses wattage (Volts x Amps) requirements
@Tom Lake posted:Is there a list of the power requirements for Lionel O Gauge accessories? It would be nice to be able to plan my layout ahead of time with no guesswork as to the number and type of power sources I'll need.
I'll assume that you're asking about Lionel accessories since the mid-'90s.
Best bet is to go to Lionel.com , then to "Support", then to "Owner's Manuals".
Good luck.
Below is another “how to operate...” that came out a few years after the 1954 version. PDF page 27 discusses planning for power requirements.
I'm not aware of any such list, but my guess is that most Lionel accessories operate in the 10-20 acv range - age and complexity being two factors - with 14-16 acv being about the sweet spot. Your overall accessory power requirement is going to depend on how many and what type of accessories you plan on operating and specs may be available by searching the Lionel manuals for specific products.
A refurbished Lionel Type V transformer can be a good choice since it has four (4) different adjustable voltage outputs to accommodate different voltage requirements for different accessories.
On my past layout, I had one leg of a ZW feeding a 14 volt bus with nothing but the accessories listed below. Of course they never ran at the same time (ok occasionally a few did when children were around). Even with a few more flood lights than listed, I don't remember seeing more than 3.5 amps on the meter I had (roughly 50 watts).
Purple- left |
Sawmill - MTH |
Log loader -MTH |
Life saver-Al’s hardware |
Barrel loader |
Front saw mill |
Log ramp |
Culvert loader |
Fork truck loader |
Sauer sign |
Coal ramp |
Coal elevator |
Coal crane |
Cow car |
Water tower |
Nuclear power plant |
Passenger and baggage stations |
Switches 4,5 6 |
A@P sign and corner flood |
Expect to experiment to find what works best for you. Do you have a volt/multi meter?
At the moment I have 4 constant voltage lines. I use the old school Z transformer for accessories... this allows me to select the constant voltage that works best for me. 1) goes to lighted buildings... I vary this voltage between 12-15vac depending on the desired effect. 2) Beacon and Coal Loader run best for me at 16.5vac... and, 3) my 14 switches work very nicely @ 14.85vac. 4) is locked & loaded awaiting duty. You can run a TON of accessories off one of these. Add some TVS diodes and breakers for surges & shorts.
Doorbell transformers work really well and are inexpensive.
