Proto 1 steam set up

Well, I'd change the battery and make sure it's charged before trying to start the engine up.  Typically, if you buy a new NiMh 9V battery, they come charged, but I'd leave it 15-20 minutes on the track to make sure.

The CW-80 uniquely not suitable for running PS/1, I suggest you do NOT use that specific transformer.  It also, by no surprise, doesn't appear in the MTH Recommended Transformer List!

The CW-80 is most decidedly NOT a "pure sine wave" transformer, see below.

Thanks for the info, I have heard of issues with the cw80. Never had a issue but never messed around with a proto 1 before, and the last thing I want to do is damage anything.

It normally doesn't kill anything, but it's also likely to give you fits attempting to run that engine with the CW-80.

Do all the cw transformers have the same issue.

I haven't tested them "all", so I can't say for sure.  However, I looked at a few when I ran across them, and they all had the same waveform.  I don't know if they're redesigned the board at any time in it's life, if so, they may have improved.

Check the chart John sent you above. It list the Lionel ones that are recommended.

If you are new to PS-1 locomotives, I would not use a CW-80 transformer.  You can use the two together, but it takes some awareness. But for a 1st time user it'll just cause frustration.  And not all CW-80s are created equal.  I've got 4-5 of them (Don't remember off of the top of my head.) and one will run all my PS-1 locomotives just fine, and one will not run any but like 1-2 of them, and the rest are somewhere in the middle.  The main issues is due to not being a clean sine wave the horn/whistle on the locomotive will constantly sound, which can then lock the locomotive in neutral or a direction, or even keep it come leaving reset.  Having a lighted car on the track helps sometimes.  You track and locomotive wheels and pickup also have to be perfectly clean.  It's best to use a recommended transformer and go have fun playing trains instead.

@sinclair posted:

If you are new to PS-1 locomotives, I would not use a CW-80 transformer.  You can use the two together, but it takes some awareness. But for a 1st time user it'll just cause frustration.  And not all CW-80s are created equal.  I've got 4-5 of them (Don't remember off of the top of my head.) and one will run all my PS-1 locomotives just fine, and one will not run any but like 1-2 of them, and the rest are somewhere in the middle.  The main issues is due to not being a clean sine wave the horn/whistle on the locomotive will constantly sound,

has anyone tried using the little Lionel CW-40 40W transformer?

Is that transformer a pure sine wave? I do have a ZW and a KW to use so that is not a problem, but I might want to run some separate loops.

If it is a Lionel transformer that starts with CW-xx, it's not a pure sine wave transformer, avoid them for PS/1.  They even cause issues with PS/2, don't know about PS/3.

40 watts way low too for a ps-1 with smoke and lights. G

Thanks GRJ / GGG - I also have a LW that I can use for the single loop. The chart shows it as being okay.

Hi guys , I know I was advised to change the battery. Can I replace it with just a standard 9 volt over the counter or can I use the green MTH battery. Also can a over the counter recharge battery work , will it charge off track power as it’s being run ?

You need a (9V style) 8.4V rechargeable battery (7 cell) or a BCR. The green MTH battery is such an 8.4V battery, but others are available on the open market.
The battery (or BCR) will charge in a properly functioning engine, but you should charge it with the proper charger before installing it for optimal results.

You can use standard battery for testing to make sure engine works, etc...  Long term not good as it is being charged.   Otherwise as stated above, any 8.4V rechargeable should be fine and I recommend charging battery separately with MTH or over the counter charger.  G

I use the EBL NiMh batteries I get on Amazon for around $3, they work just as well as the much pricier green battery.

Good to know thanks guys. I was told by one of the shops I’ve been dealing with for the 3.0 boards that the diesels are being shipped out sometime this week and hopefully the steam conversions soon to follow so in the meantime I just want to make sure this engines working the way it should before I start to play around with it