I have some 250 and 275 watt units, OK to use or move on?
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The older transformers like this are fine except they definitely need fast circuit breaker protection at their outputs. You run a danger of frying the modern electronics in your equipment otherwise. Also, most Lionel TMCC/Legacy and other 'Lion' command systems recommend a max of only 18v...
Tom TEE,
You bet, however put a 10 Amp Fuse or Resettable Breaker between the Old Transformer and the TIU on the red Line, the old ZW & KW Transformers have slow acting breakers built into them, you will need a fast acting Breaker or fuse to safe guard your TIU. I even use this set up with all my new Z4K transformers also. Set up in this manner I never have a problem powering my DCS/Legacy controlled layouts.
PCRR/Dave
Not a problem i been useing my postwar ZW with DCS setup bought back in late 2002.
c.sam posted:The older transformers like this are fine except they definitely need fast circuit breaker protection at their outputs. You run a danger of frying the modern electronics in your equipment otherwise. Also, most Lionel TMCC/Legacy and other 'Lion' command systems recommend a max of only 18v...
Amen! Bears repeating! I had a postwar ZW hooked up to a first gen DCS system and I fried the DCS system because I didn't realize it didn't come with fuses or circuit breakers. I highly recommend that you add fast acting circuit protection.
Hudson J1E,
Barry saved my bacon on this long ago, when I was using the 1st generation TIU that had no fuse, without his mentoring I would have done the exact same thing as you, fortunately for me I opened my mouth here on the OGR and Barry came to my rescue. Although I got rid of that TIU years ago, I try to make sure everyone knows that the old ZW & KW type Lionel Transformers are ok to use, however the 10 Amp Resettable Breakers or Fuses must be used, on every redline (mid rail) between the Transformers and the TIU. I use the 10 Amp Resettable breakers that I purchased from the old Scott company years ago, before they sold out, they still work perfectly even today. Lot of guys are using the Marine substitute for them now. I purchased about 5 or 6 banks of the Scott Resettable 10 Ampers long ago, and have never needed to change, they were a great quality item for decent money at the time. They had 7 and 5 Ampers also which are now pretty hard to find.
PCRR/Dave
PCRR/Dave, that was a smart move on your part to talk about it on the forum. I wish I had done that but I learned a lesson. Eventually, the remote broke also and I sold that set here on the forum for $10. When MTH came out with the TIU that has the USB connector I bought a new DCS system. Like you, I don't want to see someone else make the mistake I made. It takes what seems like an eternity for my postwar ZW circuit breaker to trip.
Which brand and specific part number/name would you recommend as a sufficiently fast enough acting circuit breaker?
Source?
I bought five 7 amp 120 volt AC circuit breakers from www.mouserelectronics.com for around $3.00 a piece. They may have gone up in price since I bought the breakers a few years ago. Use 4 with my post war ZW and one with a lighting circuit.
Info on post war ZW; it has a 15 amp circuit breaker, extremely slow acting, inside mainly to protect the transformer and the breaker is on the common side, not the positive side.
Lee Fritz
The PSX-AC would be the fastest and also includes surge protection, but it comes with a price. If you are interested they are available from Charles Ro and Tony's Train Exchange (among other places). If you want all the bells and whistles (horns) for the PSX-AC, Tony's has them. I think they may also have a kit with all the extras in it, but not positive on this one?
They are expensive (to some), but much cheaper than replacing the command control electronics in just one engine.
