recommended transformer

MRC AH601 Pure Power Dual:

The Lionel ZW will give you up to 380 watts of power to operate up to four trains independently, or one or more throttles can be used to set variable voltages for your switches and other accessories. For half the price, you can get an older postwar ZW with about 250 watts of power at train shows or online. With four independent throttles, the ZW is a very versatile transformer.

 

Larry

I know you typed that you run U36s conventionally, but do your engines have TMCC or DCS? Might be worth considering command control. A Lionel 180 Watt brick plugged into a DCS TIU would be a good solution, particularly as you look to the future. 

Find a 6-32930 pre-owned with 2 -180w Powerhouses. Look to the Lionel future.

They are old 70's Lionel MPC U36B's, I think I might have to replace their motors to run with anything but in a conventional mode safely, and a TMCC circuit board upgrade. I recall they top out on design spec at about 14 to 15 volts AC in the manual, I need to check that. The switches if any one wonders are the old track powered type. Made in Hong Kong (Great Britain at the time I recall) long before Mexico. I really do like the features of TMCC, Legacy and DCS systems, just they do not feel right for me at the moment. Thank you to every one who has replied thus far.

While most of my equipment is MTH I'd go with the Lionel 180W brick into a TIU. Since you run Conventional I'd get a Z-1000. Good 100W brick, Decent control and has a 14VAC accessory connection if you want to light some buildings.

Be aware the buildings share the 100 watts so don't go crazy there.

If just looking for conventional control the MRC Dual Power is a great option. We (Nassau Hobby Center) have one that is USED but fully tested and in perfect working order in stock.

 

http://www.nassauhobby.com/XC4...POWER-DUAL-USED.html

 

At $74.99 it's a great price for a transformer that fits your needs.

 

First thank you Gromet for the link, what is the shipping cost to Oregon I must ask, the Portland metropolitan area to be more accurate. If i have asked in the wrong place please inform me. It looks like a good match up. Second seeing the power bricks I am reminded of the Lionel GW-180 any thoughts on it given it uses a Lionel power brick?

I also like Post War 275watt ZW's for the trains and a LW for Acc. and switches. There is nothing like the feel of a ZW in your hands…….

I agree with Stephen.And for more power you could put 2 PW ZW's in parallel if phased properly.Nick

I had an MRC dual power, and every time I pressed the whistle button, the trains slowed down.  This happened with every train I tested, and on both sides of the unit. 

It's the W\H circuitry that does that. A Dallee #1102 AC Sound controller will fix it. Seems kind of cheesy that they would use that circuitry.

 

Any comment on the breakers, Bob? Are they the fast acting type?

That was a problem with Lionel Horns and Whistles you had to slide the control lever slowly to have the unit operate properly. I sent out two ZW's for rebuilding and installe diodes in place of the disk and that seams to have solve that issue, very happy with the results. 

I seem to remember only one time that I had a derailment with an older Proto-1 steamer.  The breaker tripped right away, and no problems occurred with the loco.  

I bought a Z4000 soon after and sold the MRC. 

You need to reasonably assess your needs based upon the size if your layout and what you plan to run. It's real easy to just close your eyes and buy the biggest and baddest from Lionel or MTH. One thing you do want to focus on is the circuit protection. The old transformers are just fine for PW Lionel, but not for your Legacy or PS3 engines.

 

What do I use?

 

Our 20x32' modular club has a Z4000. I have a Z1000 and have run trains in DCS on the same layout.

 

The little Halloween layout runs on an old Lionel LW.

 

My attic layout is 14x39' and has two PH135s and a MRC Pure Power Dual.

 

You will find the "Fastest" circuit breakers on the PH180s, and the Z4000/Z1000. For whatever reason the MRC Pure Power Dual and PH135s seem to have slower breakers. All said, I've had zero electrical failures with any of these transformers.

 

From what you described,

 

The single channel MRC Pure Power 80W or

 

MTH Z1000 would be more than enough. The Z1000 is plug and play with the DCS Remote Commander. When you want to play with Command Control, it's a great entry level product.

 

Gilly

I have two MRC Duals (one on the layout powering my double main and one to add to the layout when I rebuild) and have been quite happy with them.

 

The MRC Dual will power two seperate tracks and has 14V accesory taps as well.  Also, like the fact that there are volt and amp meters for both tracks.

 

Any transformer is heavy, if you can get a decent shipping quote from Charlie, that used MRC transformer for $75 is a bargain!

 

Jim

Allin,

 

Shipping to Portland would be $30.00.

Allin.

We have a Lionel ZW 6-32930 at my club in the company store. Used in box with manual. Email me if interested, will give you a great price. You would pay the freight.
JohnB

My 2 cents is go big (like the ZW, Z4000 or the MRC AH601) if you plan on any kind of commitment to the hobby. I blew a bunch of $ on all kinds of lessor power supplies that either broke (CW 80) or didn't meet my needs. Would have been much better off if I had come here for forum advice first.

Agreed.  It is simpler and probably cheaper in the longer run to buy one good transformer that will handle your growth in the hobby than accumulate several smaller ones, none of which were free or cheap.

 

Moreover, i would get a modern transformer.  Love my old ZW but if you are running anything new or having kids run the trains the breaker protection on the old transformers is inadequate and simply from a safety perspective I have become of the view that modern and new power equipment is prudent.

 

If you want a conventional transformer, the Z4000 has the longest track record.  The ZW-L looks terrific but my personal view is Lionel screwed a lot of enthusiasts with the ZW-C so I am hesitant.  Another sound option was mentioned above -- Lionel 180 watt bricks with DCS or TMCC (or Legacy).  DCS is a bit more involved than TMCC but it also offers a lot more, if you are into that aspect of the hobby.  My brief experience with Legacy control and locos is that they are terrific. 

 

HTH.

Lots of great info here!  

 

Peter

The postwar ZW is great, if (1) you can find one that the rollers are in good shape and haven't damaged the coil, and (2) you use external breakers to limit current to 10 amps.

 

Their output is pure sine wave, perfect for command control or conventional.

http://www.lionel.com/products...neID=&CatalogId=

 

I hope that internet address is acceptable, it is to one one of the coaches I currently have.

 

Reading the recommendations i see i need a mid range or higher transformer. more than 5 amps constant out put.

 

I should bring this up for a better recommendation of how much power I need the the old 36Bs ran for years on a 45/50 (I can't find a consistent answer) watt transformer with the powered switches, the transformer now needs to be serviced(assuming that type can be). the Scout with its three coaches has run for a short time on a the current 1.8 amp Lionel accessory transformer accessory transformer with coaches. I think that adds up to about to 1.8 plus 3.3 amps needed (I calculated the old transformer using its top voltage and rated wattage, going with 50 watts, it is a MCP 4250) adding up to about 5.1 amps. Since I run the (single motor) U36bs in a lash up control is easy. Hope every one is fallowing me here so far.

 

Adding 3 more coaches would add about (off the top head guess here with a bit of exaggeration for safety margin) 1.5 amps of draw ending at about 5.2. the switches I don't know how much they draw when activated, 0.2 amps? each. Ending in about with current knowns and a bit of off the cheek at about 6 amps needed to have margin. for running everything (more than I would run at once do to different control schemes), plus three coached (the Pullman set, not the best looking ever, but i like the child friendly look) The NW2 is single motor according to the catalog, not the web site. So 2 amps tops there with all feature running I guess, anther exaggeration on my part. So about 8 amps running every thing together at once if i succumb to temptation. That leaves the z400, GW-180/TMCC power base (they share the Lionel 180 watt power supply) and the ZW class running combined would have the power to run it all and possibly one port/side on the MRC dual power to the single since the Scout is O-31 knocking down things to about 7 amps by these numbers.

 

That would make running two UB36's, six coaches, and an old light up caboose with four powered switches needs about 3.3 amps base plus around 3 amps so about 6.3 amps. The other set up with the NW2 and the 2-4-2 scout, six coaches, all manual switches, and a modern light up caboose (yet to be purchased) would need about 2 amps and possibly anther 2 amps, so about 4 amps by this math maybe 5 for margin.

 

Having had amperage deficit problems on the rails of a computer power supply before that killed the power supply I do my best to have margin on the amp out put. There are errors in my logic here I can feel it. Feel free to correct me on my assumptions and math.

 

So, applying that MRC pure power transformers are track out put rated and Lionel I think are wall rated, take a 10% penalty to the Lionel on constant output for it  with out damaging the transformer, this may have changed with time, as for a 25% or as little as 5% from all the era's. this is a 100 year average I am going for since i am remebering them all at once. MTH I don't know. Leaving me with MRC Pure Power series, Lionel ZW series. lionel GW 180/TMCC, and the MTH Z4000.

 

All that said please continue there are many more like me out there who need to hear you insights and I want to learn more. Please some one check my numbers, odd combinations of years not withstanding, and the new Lionchief plus steamers should be a close electrical model for the NW2 being single motor.

 

Thank you  all Allin

The pre-owned ZW-C that was offered to you has four channels using a 180PH for two channels and another for two. That supplies 10A to two controls each. You can expand with two more 180PH to achieve 10A per channel.

 

The 180PH has some of the fastest breakers on the market. I would contact the gentlemen and see what his offer will be. I am thinking you will get a train forum offer that may surprise you and be within your budget.

 

Any issues with the ZW-C have long been resolved. It is a reliable power center. Your UB36's will perform as you have never seen them run. It is also ready for TMCC or Legacy control. The trainmaster base and remotes are very affordable now. You could control your trains remotely in conventional mode by adding it as the ZW-C is command ready.

 

Don't overthink it. get a large power supply that fits in your budget.

 

 

Thank you all. JohnB I will email and ask once I have saved up some more money. Gromet thank you once more.