Rewired locomotive tripping transformer

From your description, it sounds like the motors are wired in parallel. The loco will draw less current, and slow speed performance will improve if they are wired in series.

@newguy55 posted:

...after running for about a minute or so, the transformer will trip into safety mode...

Which specific model of transformer?

One of the motors could be bad; possibly from over heating.

It will take some detective work. A cheap meter from Harbor Freight would be a good purchase.

Seems to run better, or longer I should say, on the k-line transformer model k-950. Trips the Lionel if you turn it past the second notch in the green area.

Rich, thanks for the advice. I am thinking that they are wired in series. The connected black wires that are coming off the - rectifier post are attached on the side of the motor with 2 white circles on one, and a red and white circle on the other, so I am assuming they are in series but could be wrong. Hopefully you can see what I am referring to in the pictures.

@newguy55 posted:

Seems to run better, or longer I should say, on the k-line transformer model k-950. Trips the Lionel if you turn it past the second notch in the green area.

Those are both too small.

Thanks for the input rob, do you have any suggestions for a larger transformer? I attached a pic of the motors with model numbers, but like I said before I can’t verify their draw.

once again sorry for my ignorance, my dad, brother, and I built a setup when we were younger and now that we have small kids we are getting back into it again.

Royboy, after the transformers trip I touched the motors rectifier and capacitor, and it would be a stretch to say they were even warm. But you are definitely right about the meter.

@newguy55 posted:

Thanks for the input rob, do you have any suggestions for a larger transformer? I attached a pic of the motors with model numbers.

Remove the capacitor first and try that, it's not needed is this application. A CW-80 or 1033 would be fine. Remove the trucks & grease the worms well.

That wire is extreme overkill, 22ga superflex is just fine.

Rob,

just curious as to why the capacitor might be tripping the transformer or why it may not be needed? Thanks for your help.

Why would it be needed in this application?

Eliminate it as a possible short/load.

Thank you @Rich Melvin! Rewired it in series and no more transformer issues! Runs like a top pulling cars now!

thank you to everyone else for all the other suggestions as well!

Glad you got 'er fixed!