Power for pre war

I use a ZW, a Z and a KW. 

I have found that my older stuff runs best with an older transformer (no modified sine waves with the older transformers).  I run everything I own primarily with a Post War ZW.  That includes everything from pre-war to stuff made last year.  A ZW or KW would be what I would recommend.

Tony

If your just running traditional conventional pre war anything like a ZW,KW etc. will work just fine.  Anything with modern electronics like MTH tinplate traditions/Lionel corp. you will need a newer transformer with a fast acting circuit breaker so as to not cook an expensive board. 

I use just about any thing I can get. I have a brand new ZW that I use for remotely controlling track voltage for the 40 plus power units I have on four different tracks, big bucks.  A kw and two add ons  for 2 other tracks that I remotely control the voltage for and a bunch of other transformers I use for accessories.  It is more what do YOU like. The two outside handles on the ZW are nice,  but the two inside ones are so so, I do not like the way the handles operate on the KW.  A few months ago a 55 year old ZW burned up, an old friend bit the dust.  I did some rewire and now use several smaller transformers that I can control the voltage to for different accessories  around the layout, one runs best at 11 volts and an other at 16 volts etc.. I have used a rheostat at the accessory to control the voltage with the power for several accessories coming from one source.  Several transformers tends to look like a mess. These are several approaches you can use. It sounds like you have older powered units, like me,  and you might want to go to remotely controlled track voltage at some time, Do you want to spend the $$$ to go that way now? Lots of things to think about. What is YOUR wiring capability, what do YOU like, how big is YOUR  layout?  Good luck!!        

I can connect every power supply to every track easily with one plug, so I choose depending on the locomotive; for prewar AC I normally use the Lionel ZW in the train-room and the MTH Z4000 in the garden.

Regards

Fred

.two Vs, and one R for lights.

sncf231e posted:

I can connect every power supply to every track easily with one plug, so I choose depending on the locomotive; for prewar AC I normally use the Lionel ZW in the train-room and the MTH Z4000 in the garden.

Regards

Fred

You need to keep those transformers separated, they look like they are multiplying LOL, 

I use a 135 brick and a powermaster or TPC.  So I can run trains with a Cab1 on my couch.  Or Lazyboy recliner.  I'm a floor runner right now.  Original prewar standard gauge only.  Love my Cab1.  

I use a couple of ZWs with fast acting breakers and fuses for the permanent layout.  You won’t need the extra breakers/fuses if you are just running prewar or postwar stuff.  If I’m just setting up a temporary circle, I use a 1034 for that.

A re-conditioned post war ZW is best for pre war trains. Use a 7 or 8 amp circuit breaker for protecting your track or engines, as a post war ZW can almost weld something before the breaker trips.

Lee Fritz

Does anyone have a link to suitable breakers to use?

Possible Radio Shack or auto parts store

I like Postwar Lionel #91 adjustable electromagnetic circuit breakers.
Here is a description:  Postwar Lionel #91

This is what I used.

http://www.digikey.com/product...A/302-1261-ND/659608

Thanks all

1033, 1053, and RW. One of these days I'll Finnish converting my layout so that prewar trains can run on its entirety.

I bought 7 amp circuit breakers from Mouser Electronics, rated at 7 amps 120 volts AC. I would stay away from automotive circuit breakers as they are for use with DC current.

The old post war #91 circuit breaker might work well, however it should be tested by a repair tech before using,  personally I would go for a newer circuit breaker.

Lee Fritz

NEC Runner posted:

Does anyone have a link to suitable breakers to use?

Possible Radio Shack or auto parts store

I've had decent luck with these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use the 5 Amp breaker for 7.5 Amp circuits and the 7.5 Amp breaker for 10 Amp circuits.  They trip way slower than standard fuses which is why I use a lower amp rating than I actually want.  I haven't had any problems with things tripping prematurely.

I also like these because they fit in standard ATC fuse holders.

Tony 

ZW, run em fast and furious!!