How about a cheap method?  If you add a rotary switch and a few pairs of series diodes, you can switch it down in .6 volt steps.  You could obviously add an AC voltmeter.

Soo Line posted:

Gents

2 Lionel 180 watt - 10 amp power bricks

One to be used for layout purposes.

The other intended for lighting ect  However, the idea is to make the second brick AC adjustable from 18V AC to the desired voltage ie 14V AC.   Preferably as well with a meter.

I've looked on line but found all the choices confusing and I'm not sure what would be appropriate

Appreciate some guidance in this area.

Thanks

Dave

Well, I won't question your reason for wanting to do that, but with the (un)availability of bricks what it is today I personally would sell the brick and use the proceeds to buy a pair of Lionel LW conventional transformers or something like that. That will give you the adjustable voltage you desire with no work! 

I don't think you are going to find an economical "store bought" solution to do what you want, but if you really want to use the brick I might suggest using it to feed a couple of the MTH Z-Controllers.

I'm with GRJ on the cheap and easy diode drop method.  A couple bucks worth of parts would get the job done effectively.  

As for ready made solutions, a GW180 controller or ZW-C would effectively do what you want.  You could also use a pair of MTH's Z-controller's with the load split between them.   A PowerMaster could also lower the effective voltage.  None of these are particularly cost effective if you don't already have them laying around, or can't find them on the cheap.  

JGL

He could always buy this KW that's on sale cheap, probably won't do better than this.

Nice Lionel KW for sale - $45

Yes, that is a terrific idea too!  

I have been using these voltage drop modules on my layout and they work great for reducing the voltage.

Here are a few pics of the modules.

I purchased these on the bay for about $3.00 each with free shipping some time ago.

There's a company, Automation Technology Inc, that sells a 200 VA VARIAC TDGC for $38. Just plug the brick into the VARIAC. I first found them on eBay, but they have their own website.

edit; I don't know how the reduced voltage into the brick would affect the electronic circuit breaker.

Brian, as long as your accessory doesn't mind DC, those are fine...

Shameless plug on the KW !

And if someone is looking for one..........nice piece at a great price!

I'm thinking more along the lines of what Brian is suggesting.........only I would need AC to AC regulator module.

Thanks for the advice all!

Dave

An AC <-> AC module is a whole different kettle of fish, not many of those on eBay.

That is what I am finding out John..........................

Let me know if you think of any leads.

Thanks

Dave

Buy an old PW transformer, it'll be far easier to find and doubtless cheaper.

Why not use a Lionel Power Master.

Rod Miller

When you say 14V AC for "lighting, etc." do your loads really need AC?  Or can some run on DC?  

Many economical options for efficiently dropping DC rather than AC voltage (even if starting from AC as you are).

As for the brute-force diode drop method, I've posted this picture before.  About $2-3 in parts and has 8 "taps" adding up to about 5V total drop so that would lower the 18V AC to ~14V AC.  As GRJ says, to get some adjustability you could add a rotary switch to select which tap to use.  These are 8 Amp bridge rectifiers (diodes) but are readily available in other Amp ratings.

On a side note, it appears Lionel bricks are in quite the demand and might have more "trade-in" value for someone who would use the full brick voltage.  So if you are able to operate some/most accessories on DC, you can get a 90 Watt DC-output universal laptop charger for less than $10 shipped from a US seller on eBay.  That's about 10 cents per Watt which is my target price for fixed-output power (AC or DC).   Here's one that has a settable DC output voltage from 12V to 24V. 

Note the side-by-side footprint comparison vs. a 100 Watt AC brick; I don't have a 180 Watt AC brick but assume it would be larger still.

I don't know how many acc. you have to run.As mentioned  you can get a good PW ZW at a train show for 125-140 bucks.You will have 4 adjustable circuits with a ton of capacity.You could get 80-100 bucks for your brick here on for sale or trade.Nick