WBB 80W Transformer

I'd gladly trade my CW-80 for one of those.   Any takers?

Gee, looks just like the Atlas 80watt power supply!

Gee Ron, it is!

Thanks Stewart, for the pic, I surprised by it's size. I still like the MTH Z1000 with the separate brick, for us 240v guys.

Personally, i think that the CW-80 looks much better, and apart from an on/off switch, would seem to have as much, if not more, functionality, I also think that the CW-80 has better ergonomics with the big wide-range handle rather than a basic short-range knob.

But all of these things are subjective, and are purely my opinion. 

I'm curious, what's the price difference?

 

Fredstrains

It looks like 1 inch of travel on the control knob would be the difference between very slow and too fast...especially for young kids. Guess I'm just a CW80 fan.

I like the handle on the CW-80, but the real sine wave output is a powerful draw for the Williams model.

I like the looks of the CW80, but I have to admit that I much prefer the overall features and performance of the WBB (I believe it was inherited from Atlas) transformer much better.

i also like the looks and the throttle on the cw-80 better

hello guys and gals..........

 

Lionel could have made it a 100 or 120 watt version of the cw-80(cw100 or cw120) with a on/off switch for little more money and it would have been even more popular.

 

the woman who loves the S.F.#5011

Tiffany

It is a powerful transformer and a good one but I do agree with the design of the controls leave something to be desired.

I love the Art Deco look of the CW80 and the throttle.  A round knob just doesn't do it for me.

I'm a huge fan of Lionel handle type throttle...always loved it and always will. I am not a fan of the CW 80 for my own reasons. I do have a CW80 set up for when I want to run conventional, just the flip of a switch.

Question. The "real sine wave" output. Does that mean it doesn't "chop" the signal like the controller on a Z1000?

This transformer is much better than meets the eye. I have two of them that are the Atlas O version. My CW-80's sit in the closet.

 

First you can run two trains off this transformer. The "accessory" knob can be used for running the second train.

 

This comes with a large heat sink so it runs cool after hours of continous use. On the first one I run a subway set on the elevated line and a trolley through town. The other transformer I run whatever on a I want. For example a PS-2 steam engine with passenger cars.

 

The knob is easier to use that I thought it would. You can make gradual adjustments in speed without an issue.

 

This was originally recomended to me by AM Hobbies. I am happy I took his advice. 

That is correct.  It has a sweep arm / wiper on the secondary windings just like a Lionel Multi-Volt.

I purchased a WBB 80W new from the forsale forum for $30 + $14 shipping for my nephew to run his dual can motor Williams U33C. Works great. Well worth the money in my opinion. It does struggle to run the old 1950's dual growler motor Lionel F3 diesels but this isn't what it was bought for. I don't think this model has a circuit breaker but the overload light did come on during a short circuit (maybe I cleared the short too quick for the circuit breaker to blow?). Anyways I would recommend this for somebody who wants to run a basic train layout under the tree.

Great! I ordered one. If it works out, I get to run trolleys all year!!!! Why? Because with a 5VAC real sine wave my bump and go trolleys run WAY WAY better than on DC or AC with an MTH Z controller. The system I use, an MTH IR controller has a min voltage of 5VAC. I'm certain (or very hopeful) it will run on slightly lower voltage and hence quiet enough to run all year (above the TV)

I purchased the WBB transformers off of ebay, so I couldn't give you a retail price. The prices were competitive.

The price differance may be a bit high if purchased from Bachmann website, $120.00.

You can do better for price going to an online train store like Western Depot ot Trainworld. If it wasn't for the high price of the new Williams transformer I might buy one.

The Williams transformer will most likely work with MTH PS-2 engines with no problems.

The CW-80 will give the MTH PS-2 engines headaches or worse, something to do with a voltage overlay?

A $24.04 price differance between the WBB and the CW-80, with the CW-80 being higher priced.

 

Lee F.

Product Information

• traditional heavy-duty design with 80 watts of AC power
• UL listed
• variable power control to track and accessories (0-18 volt variable AC track power output; 7-16 volt variable AC track power output)
• horn/whistle, bell, and direction buttons
• power and overload indicator lights
• on/off power switch
• compatible with all AC-powered locomotives and accessories
• perfect for all AC trains sets and small- to medium-sized layouts

 

Price: $119.95

Product Code: 00233

 

 

CW-80

 

 

6-14198 | Price: $143.99

Enjoy operating your favorite locomotives, train sets, and accessories with the 80-Watt CW-80 Transformer. From the handsomely designed controller, reminiscent of the famous Lionel ZW, you control speed and power by raising and lowering the engineer handle. Operate your favorite features with the bell, whistle/horn, and direction buttons. On the rear of the unit, you will find a 0-18 volt variable AC output, as well as a programmable AC output for accessory operation. Simply set the accessory voltage to your desired output, and your accessory operates at that output until you turn the unit off–even when you stop the train! Perfect for train sets and small- to medium-sized layouts, the CW-80 provides the power you need to enjoy all your Lionel favorites.

I have seen the CW-80's and did not see where to adjust the accessory voltage, however I did not have the instruction manual in front of me. I was at a freind's house and was using his CW-80, very quick to act with a short circuit.

 

From the looks of it the WBB 80 watt has the adjustable accessory voltage knob on it, so no looking around to adjust the voltage.

 

Even though it has an on/off switch I would still rather pull the plug out of the wall or remove the plug from my power strip at the wall outlet. The electric company is very bad about power surges here in Florida.

 

Lee F.

The WBB 80-watt is an Atlas-O Industrial Rail 80 watt with a different label and $20 increase in price. Save yourself some money and get the Atlas-O version, lists for $99.95 but you can usually find it on sale cheaper.

 

I am curious when guys say their trains run better with Lionel transformers than The Z-1000? That has not been the case here. The MTH Z-1000 will run ALL my trains much better and smoother, and at lower voltages than any Lionel transformer I have. In one case, a Kline 5279 Hudson, that one just barely cruises at 17 -18 volts with a lionel transformer, absolutely flies with a Z-1000 at 10.5 volts. Same with all my trains. The MTH unit will run them all at lower voltages and acheive the same speeds.

Another vote for the WBB/Atlas. Its all-controls-on-top design makes it easier to fit on a control panel. It has a much more precise throttle than my rebuilt KW has, so that's now on accessory duty.

 

I have had no trouble running my PS2 engine and it also handles my postwar 2354 F3 just fine. Maybe the latter would be a problem on a bigger layout than mine. And I use the accessory knob to move trains around on sidings while the mainline runs.

 

As for price, I saw these on the shelf at Charles Ro for $75 last week. MSRPs don't really tell us much.

Ebay deal!

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/O-GAUGE-WILLIAMS-BACHMANN-TRADITIONAL-HEAVY-DUTY-80-WATT-AC-TRAIN-TRANSFORMER-/160836624232?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item25729c1f68

I bought two CW80s in origional boxes at train shows for $30 and $35. Forget the MSRP!

I paid $31.30 + $9.50 shipping for my WBB 80 Watt in Nov, 2012.

I have been following forum posts on here and other forums and the CW-80 seems to have the most problems of any transformer made today.

So far the old Atlas or new WBB 80 watt transformer has no reported problems with it, and that is where my money would go for a new transformer. So if I can get the WBB 80 watt cheaper then MSRP I would do it.

 

Lee F.