Worst Transformer Cord I have Ever Seen

Peter, it's UL approved, it can't be that bad!

Looks like Marx

How old is that transformer, Peter?

A couple of squirts with WD-40 will have that cord like new in no time!

I’ve seen that transformer in some Marx sets....that cord is the extra crunchy delight,....served with bits and shards....

Pat

But it was listed as NIB.

I had one a long time ago.  It's a Marx.  My cord looked a little bit better at the time!

Looks like the cord on my dad’s old Lionel switches from circa 1950. I wonder if that transformer spent 45 years in a northern Illinois attic, too. 

Yes. it's Marx. Pretty dry-rotted. I have seen some Lionel transformer cords on old RW's, etc. The cord was so dried out you could literally hold the cord out 3 feet horizontally!  

That’s a candidate for the dumpster. Even with a new line cord, I would never plug that thing into power. The inside will be just as bad as the outside.

Fire it up, Peter! What could possibly go wrong??!!??

Even if I didn't end up trying to do a re-build/repair to try to use it, I'd now be curious and probably open it up just to see just how bad it may be in there before chucking it in the dumpster.

-Dave

Open it up for sheer curiosity (naturally!) and then scrap it.

@Rich Melvin posted:

That’s a candidate for the dumpster. Even with a new line cord, I would never plug that thing into power. The inside will be just as bad as the outside.

By no means am I advocating using it as is or would I ever plan on using this....but I bet you it's better looking inside than many will guess.

There is no corrosion on the terminals and while the case is beat up and scratched a bit, there is no rust anywhere....that I can see.

Why not open it up....just for fun?

A little duct tape will fix it. 😂😂😂😂😂

I have a pair of lineman's gloves if you want to give it a shot. 

Connect it to the tracks and have someone you are not to found of to touch the center and out side rails to check voltage level.

Make that not to fond of.

Many transformers need their cords changed.  That is not a reason to through it away. In my experience the windings are insulated with fish paper, various resins, and asphalt, all of which are usually in excellent condition.  When I get an old transformer I usually start by checking the resistance between the prongs on the cord, assuming it is in better condition than the cord shown above. I also check the resistance to the case. If these numbers look reasonable, that is no dead short or contact to the case, I plug it into my Lionel 5D tester. This device is ideal for this as it has an switch and 4 amp fuse on the transformer outlet. 

Once the cord issues are addressed I rarely find a transformer that does not work properly. Those with carbon rollers usually need them changed and everything needs to be cleaned, but otherwise they are mostly good. I always recommend the use of GFI protected outlets for old electrical appliances. On electrical appliances without a third ground prong or double insulated plastic case GFI protection just makes sense.  

When opening up old transformers what I usually see is good solid engineering appropriate for the period and high quality handwork craftsmanship.  I have spent much of my life working on old electrical equipment.  When working on this equipment I often think about the people who made it. They were not watching automated assembly line fabrication, they were at a bench with hand tools, rudimentary machines and the necessary materials making this equipment. Hundreds of hardworking people, many of them woman, working long days for not much pay. Here we are 100 years later, long after they are dead, still using equipment they made.  

Looks like something "Got Junk?" rejected.

Going on memory here:

That's a Marx Model 729. It's 50 watts. This came with their set trains back in the 40s. There is NO internal/external short protection. YOU are the short protection device. (YOU have to unplug it then find/fix the cause of the short.)

The large bent tabs up top are what holds it together. The 729 that came my little 1946-7 era Marx 25225 set I purchased this past summer didn't work. I opened it up and found the wire issue and fixed it. It works now, but I do NOT use it. It is only kept with the set for historical significance to the set.  I use a Lionel 1033 for running the set.

Andre

I wouldn’t use it but I wouldn’t toss it either.  Copper is almost $3 a pound.

Save the two nuts and trash the rest

You guys are being way too harsh. Except for the lack of a circuit breaker (which I admit is important) these things are almost bullet proof.

It's a Marx 709. the 729 has four terminals, two for variable and two for fixed voltage.

I have actually been looking for them on eBay. I like to run 6 inch Marx prewar and postwar under the Christmas tree and these transformers really say "Marx in my childhood" to me. I take them apart, put in new cords, repaint the case, hook them to an external circuit breaker, and they are good for another 50 years of fun.

@Rich Melvin posted:

That’s a candidate for the dumpster. Even with a new line cord, I would never plug that thing into power. The inside will be just as bad as the outside.

Oh yes.....it's gone.....and was done immediately.....

Peter 

Assuming any of us are around in 70 - 80 years, I doubt any one will be speaking so highly of the modern CW-80 and the Chinesium they find inside.

Should had listed it as original with TCA standards on the bay. It would have blended in with some of the gems you find there! Lol!

Looks like that was the sacrificial transformer UL used in their testing.

RICH IS RIGHT, TRASH IT!!!!

Why would anybody waste their time to even donate it.

Dave

No one is suggesting that this transformer is remotely usable.

Rather, some have simply said that the inside of the transformer is likely in much better shape than the chord.  That's all.

Besides.....taking things apart without having to worry about them going back together is rather fun/informational.

@Doug-Sr posted:

Save the two nuts and trash the rest

That's a wonderful punch-line.....but I'd have to invent the joke... 😜

@RoyBoy posted:

 

It's a Marx 709. the 729 has four terminals, two for variable and two for fixed voltage.

Thanks for the correct info, RoyBoy.

I'm a'feared my Marx ignorance on the 709/729 transformers was displayed in my response. Frankly, I "saw" the photo of the transformer but didn't "see" the two posts. Instead I guess I focused on the basic shape and the little red throttle handle.

Me thinks I needs to pays more attention!

Andre