New Big Boy 4014 Showing up Tomorrow

I have my doubts that the CW-80 will run the Big Boy.  I think I would have went with a minimum GW-180w.

Rats; I was planning on using the CW-80 to just run my small 6' X 5' layout here and then later get the ZW-L for my future layout.  At that time, I would just use the CW-80 to run smaller locos and accessories.

isn't that power supply DC output?

the bigboy is a power hog.

You won't "screw up" the BB, it's just not enough power. It might run with the smoke units OFF, but once you turn them all on.... If the transformer has a built in breaker...POP!

So, I guess a CW-80 (18v, 4amps, 80watts) is not enough either??

Will a lone ZW-L run the BB??

RickM46

The BB will draw over 4 amps at times, I'm virtually certain you'll come to grief with a CW-80.

Well fellas, my BB and Legacy Command set showed up Friday from Mr Muffins Trains and me with no adequate power supply.  So, all I could do is lube it and wait for the arrival of a transformer.  Before this thread, I had already ordered a CW80; after this thread, I ordered a ZWL due to arrive late next week. 

The CW80 showed up a day after the BB showed up.  Couldn't wait for the ZWL; so I used the 80 on my 6 X 8 living room floor layout with O72 curve track. 

The CW80 puts out a max of 15 volts.  So far, no issues with just the BB and 3 cars.  All functions work; the BB would go around that little layout like a rocket if I let it.

I realize that the BB probably maxes out the CW80 in this little layout.  When I get back North, I will probably only use it to run accessories only.

Lastly, I learned that the instructions for the CW80 to set the voltage for its accessory posts are wrong. 

Anyway, the BB and its features just blow me away.

Happy Camper!

I think that, strictly speaking, the VBB is just within the CW-80s capabilities.  But things get ragged near the edge, and it leaves you no room at all for lights in cars, accessories, etc.  Given the cost and quality of the loco, you really ought to get the 180W brick.  You are going to run Legacy so you don't need a variable power source, which is what you are paying for (probably half the cost is for that feature alone) with the CW-80.)  I'd get a brick as soon as I could.   

Hmmm, my 720watt ZW-L is due to show up this week.  The brick has 180watts.  I was thinking that the ZW-L would take care of my needs for my future layout - that is 3 independent concentric rectangles of track with 1 loco each: one with the Big Boy, one with a Lionchief Plus B&O, one with a Lionchief Polar Express.  I figured I could use the CW80 to drive accessories only.  The layout will be about 20 feet by 10 feet.

Just read up on the brick and how to attach it to the track; now I understand that it just supplies 18v with ample wattage to the track for Legacy systems.

RickM46

I'm nowhere near an expert but the Lionel 180 brick works super running 2 legacy engines and 1 TMCC engine. When my VLBB gets back from Lionel a new brick will run it

Brent

Lee, you are exactly right about the CW-80.  I am beginning to see some funnies running the BB with it.  Speed is not an issue; but, now I am noticing that smoke production is getting lean after I added a lighted caboose and lighted box car (I have removed them for now).  I believe the stack smoke units must draw a bunch of wattage.  Otherwise, whistle, blowdown, BB lights, RR sounds are OK.  Thanks for the advice on the Brick.

RickM46

When you push the locomotive with maximum stack smoke and then add the whistle or blowdown, you can peak over 4 amps, and even more if you are pulling a load.  I got around 4.5 amps just cruising along without any cars at one point.

Lee, thanks for the info.

Now, I have yet another newbie power question. 

I am expecting to receive my ZW-L today and thought I could use it to power my Lionchief Polar Express, Lionchief+ B&O, and my VL Big Boy all on separate tracks.

I took a look at the wallmount power supply that came with both Lionchiefs and it says their outputs are 18v DC; not AC.

So, does that mean I cannot power the Lionchiefs with the ZW-L??

RickM46

Talk about a late Christmas!  You certainly have a lot of goodies on the way.  I hope you enjoy them all. 

--Greg

You can power LC and LC+ with the ZW-L.  I do it with the PE LC and PE legacy set with no problems.

Greg,

Just before Christmas while having breakfast in my favorite greasy spoon, I suddenly realized that I'd never owned a Lionel.  So, with my hair on fire, I ran home and began surfing the internet for Lionel train sets and immediately ordered the Lionchief Polar Express.  That started it; before that, if you had told me I would shell out for a Big Boy, I would have said you were nuts.

RickM46

Thanks jp, but do you just connect from the ZW-L straight to the Lionchief track with no converters, black boxes,etc. in between??

Yep.  Wires go straight from ZW-L to track.  Last year I was in the same boat as you.  I order the LC PE.  Then I ordered an uncoupling track section.  The uncoupler would not work.  I was not aware that the uncoupler would only work with AC power.  I came to this forum and asked for recomendations on power.  People recommended the MTH 4000 and ZW-L and smaller items.  People let me know that the ZW was probably more than I needed.  I just did not want to buy the minimum and then have to keep upgrading in the future.  I have no regrets with getting the big power supply. 

Well, that is exactly where I am at now.

I did not know about the bricks before I ordered the ZW-L.

After the forum informed of the bricks, I kind of went round and round with multiple bricks vs the ZW-L.  Since I am going to have 3 concentric tracks ~15 feet X 20 feet, I felt the need for more power than less.  The ZW-L just arrived by UPS and I will be connecting it to my temporary ~6' X 7' track with the Big Boy on it and give it a go.

Thanks,

RickM46