PS3 problem with CW80?

Your thinking is correct. CW80s do not play with MTH products. I recommend getting a copy of the MTH approved transformer list...MTH transformers are good items that will run anything from any manufacturer. I have two on my layout, both 10+ years old that have been trouble free the entire time. 

Yeah I figured SJC.  I only use these CW-80s for powering my accessories and buildings.  I just don't have a handle to regulate the power from an MTH brick.  I brought home the CW to test my rewiring job on converting passenger cars to LEDs.  I won the locomotive on Ebay and knew it was risky trying it with the CW-80 but of course I tried.  Sigh..... soon I'll have my layout back. 

Hi tackindy,

The problem with running most PS1/2/or3 engines with the CW in conventional mode is that the direction button doesn't immediately take the voltage down to zero.  The voltage drops off exponentially based on the current draw from the track.  PS3 engines with their LED lighting are particularly prone to not cycle direction on the CW80 because they don't draw very much current at idle.

There are a couple things you can try to get it to work.  A lighted car, like a caboose, or a lighted lock-on will help drop the voltage faster.  Also, use the throttle to cycle direction.  Taking the throttle all the way to zero is the best way to get the CW80 to actually remove its voltage output.

Been a while Dave, but I don't think the CW goes to Zero on the throttle well either.  G

I had the same problem with a Reading ABA with PS1 on my CW80. My hobby shop told me to get a mth transformer and it has worked fine ever since.

Yes thats what I thought was happening.  I just got ahead of myself trying to test it without the correct equipment!  Well maybe in a month or two I'll have a layout base to test on!  

Thanks guys!

Interesting. I use 2 CW80,tend to use the throttle to change direction but have never had a problem with Ps1 or Ps2. Don't have any Ps3 so they might be different.

Before the CW80s I used to use 1033s - no obvious difference in outcome (yes I know one is pure the other is chopped sign wave)

CHEERS MIKE

Mike W;

You have been lucky and/or must have enough stuff on the rails to eat the leakage current from the CW80.

Some PS1 engines will not even run on an MTH chopped wave transformer.Those don't care how much you load the CW80, they won't even start up.

All 9 of my PS-1 locomotives run on all 4 of my CW-80s just fine.  In fact the Z-1000 gave me so much trouble with them that I just stick with the CW-80s.  Plus the CW-80s handle the abuse a 1 year old can dish out a lot better.

And Dave, PS-1 locomotives are only conventional runners so they don't have a conventional mode per say.

While I can't comment on PS3, owners manuals for MTH PS2 locos have a list of recommended transformers near the back. The CW 80 is NOT on this list.

I "suspect" the same holds true for PS3.

I have two CW80's and don't use because of the awful fan howl. I do recall that putting a lighted caboose somewhere on the track got a couple of PS3's to work fine with the CW80 where they previously had not. Otherwise, the CW80 makes a good boat anchor. Which is a shame as these are otherwise nice looking transformers with smooth throttle action. They also come up at voltages lower than my MTH transformers.

Yeah scott.... you just reminded me of that HOWL.  I think I'll spring for something new besides the CW-80 to quiet it down a touch. 

Hi -

I think I have a similar issue with my CW80, but would like some opinion...

Bought a Lionel starter set for my son (before I knew about MTH!) with a CW80.

I then bought a used MTH Protosound (1) engine.  It seems to be stuck in 'Neutral' but makes sounds.

I replaced the 9V battery with a fresh battery and followed the instructions to try to 'unlock' it from the neutral state and also to perform a system reset, while in start-up/reset mode.

When I power the train, I get the two rings and not the 'three clanks of death', suggesting the board is OK (yes?), but I can not get the train to unlock from neutral or perform a system reset.  When in reset mode, it doesn't seem to cycle through the programs, giving me the various clink/clank signals, as indicated in the manual.

Since I assume that most of the PS functions are accomplished by sending voltage spikes to the board, I am wondering whether I have not developed the appropriate finesse to send the spikes with my throttle (it seems like its all about timing and the speed of the voltage drops that you do), or perhaps this does not work (or work well) with a CW80 transformer. I did notice that the CW80 is NOT listed as a compatible transformer in the MTH manual, but assumed that the CW80 was just newer than the engine.  

Since most of my engines are now MTH (I have purchased about 10 used PS/PS2 engines over the past 4 months; I'm obsessed now), I am going the DCS/TIU route anyway and will probably just buy a used Z1000 power brick.  Still curious if anybody thinks/knows whether the CW80 transformer, my throttle skills, or the engine is the issue here.

Thanks.

Don't use a CW80 to operate MTH PS1/2/3 locomotives.  The CW80 is not on the MTH list of recommended power sources.  May work for some; doesn't work for others.  That's why it is not recommended.

It can be the engine too, since it may have a software conflict from a dead or weak battery.  You won't know until you try it with a pure sine wave transformer.  Any PW one can work for the test.  Also, voltage needs to be below 10V to come out of reset state.  G

Gentlemen,

    My advise is to get rid of the CW-80 transformer and up grade to at least a Z1000

or use an old KW or ZW with 10 Amp Scott type breakers.  Allan Miller is absolutely correct the CW-80 is not on the recommended list for usage with DCS.  Greg goes one step further and advised of other possible problems.

PCRR/Dave

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

Well, I replaced my CW-80 with a used Z-1000.

It's very nice.

But the engine still won't budge.

Seems like I can't cycle through the programs in reset mode.

So, even though I don't have the 'three tolls of death' that others have described, my best guess is that the PS board is bad.

I don't have the skill to replace the board myself (yet), so off to my local train repair shop.

Thanks again.

- mark

Mark:

Before you do that I recommend doing a Function then a Factory Reset.

Power off for a minute after resets and before trying to run the engine.

It's a pain to get the engine to go through the cycle but it does correct a lot of problems that can come from a derail or funky power.

Somewhere in the manual it should have a chart showing how to do that. Note that the timing is critical - 1/2 second per step.

Easy way is load it on a DCS system somewhere. Then resets are in the menu.

If you are near another member Give 'em a holler, Perhaps they will reset it for you.

Thanks for the advice.

I did try to step through to the factory reset, but could not advance through the programs ; maybe my timing with the transformer controller is off.  I tried many combinations and rhythms.  Just bought a DCS though, so I will try to hook that up and see if the reset function on the controller is any better at it than I am.

- mark

DCS won't help a PS-1 issue.  Sounds like an ID conflict. That can happen.   G