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Hello all,

 

My kids and I are new to the 3 rail O-gauge hobby since last November 2011. This is my dilemma (hope you all can help). We bought a used MTH 30-1113-1 New York Central Hudson. We are using a Lionel 40 watt transformer that came with the Scout set we purchased last Christmas. Since then, a second track was added and another 40 watt transformer as well. Put the Hudson on either track with the smoke unit off and the train runs great "super speeds'. Turn the smoke unit on and we can barley get it to move on track before it stalls and the green light on the transformer starts blinking on and off. I realize the purpose of the safety mode on the transformer. Please confirm that I am drawing too much current with smoke unit on and need a bigger transformer, or do I have another problem. I could go to the nearest hobby shop and ask them to run it, if they confirm it I am not sure I want to buy anything from them at their retail prices.

 

I can run the Lionel Scout, a NYC steamer, Williams RIO Grande diesels on both tracks just fine.

 

 

Your help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

Ferromex

Original Post

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Sometimes a Smoke Unit draws too much current. If the engine runs good with them off, have at it.

 

My first thinking is either you have a runt transformer or a shorted smoke unit. In the light of my theorys I would want to discard the shorted smoke unit before beefing up the juice.

 

Don't run with the smoke unit empty of fluids and on at the same time.

 

Retail pricing is a challenge for everyone these days. We are happy to have a shop at all in these times.

Sounds like you are just putting too much load on that little transformer. As for your smoke unit if it's working, it's not shorted. Ditto with the engine. If you have a short with these new transformers, expect to trip the breaker immediately when power is applied.

 

For a whopping $9.50, you can get this really neat little meter from Lightobject.com. Wire it in series with your track feed and you can read how much current you are pulling. Sounds like a new transformer (or two) is in your future.

 

Gilly

Originally Posted by bigdodgetrain:

get one of these and you problem will be solved.

 

http://www.mthtrains.com/content/40-1000

 

I'll add another vote for the Z-1000.  It will run anything you might get for quite a while. 

 

Those 40 watt budget transformers are not intended for engines with sound and smoke.  You can always use the 40 watt'r to run your building lights and stuff, so it's not a total waste. 

Originally Posted by Mike Norberg:
Originally Posted by Ferromex:

 Turn the smoke unit on and we can barley get it to move on track before it stalls and the green light on the transformer starts blinking on and off.  Please confirm that I am drawing too much current with smoke unit on and need a bigger transformer.

It's confirmed.   You need a MTH Z-1000 transformer.  

I'll add another "thumbs up" for the Z-1000. Been using them for years without a single problem or hiccup. Great products. 

Originally Posted by Lee 145:

Gilly,

 

Wiring that meter in Series to track lock on? Can you elaborate?

 

And is one of these adequate?

 

http://www.lightobject.com/DC-...anel-Meter-P193.aspx

 

 

One further question... are digital Meters any good? Sometimes I run DC in HO however rarely. Your meter seems to want AC input.

 

 

Wiring. To measure voltage, it is measured in parallel. You will attach to the black and red on your lockon. To measure current, it is wired in series. Red wire from the transformer to one side of the meter. The other side of the meter to your lockon. The black wire would just go from the transformer to the lockon.

 

Our 3 Rail O is AC, not DC so the meter you show the link for won't work. Also, it's current, not voltage that is what you need to be measuring.

 

There is nothing wrong with a digital meter. And of course, a digital handheld meter will work. Even the least expensive it at least twice the cost of the current meter I was referring you to.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Gilly

 

 

 

As Usual in this area, Dale is right on the money.

And I'll add that I too use Z-1000 power, tho I run mine direct into the TIU for my DCS nowadays.

Add a TVS on a Z-1000 and you are good to Go. I put mine at the connection to the track. Yes, you can put one at every power drop, I do.

 

If you really want a ton of power, Go for the Z-4000, then add the TVS to it as well.

The Z-4000 is 400 Watts of sweet smooth power. Largest UL listed train transformer out there. It is NOT cheap to buy tho.

 

Dale's website gives all the info you need on TVS buying & usage.

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