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Hi all I have a question about how much power I need to run accessories and trains.  I have (2) 80 watt 1 old ZW 275 and 1 1.8 amp accessory transformer.  on a 6 X 12 layout I am running 2 separate lines with each 80 wt running each track  I am using my ZW to run accessories only at this time.  I have a lot of accessories buildings with lights etc.crossing gates and am planning to use about 7 remote fastrack switches.  Do I need more transformers or so called "power bricks" for the accessories ?  I am running conventional at this time and also some MTH locos with pro sound.  Thanks for any help

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Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

Well, that's pretty optimistic Chuck.    The PW-ZW is really only good for around 215-220 watts continuous output.  The 275 watt rating is input power.

 

Oh, so it is. Thanks.

Then two things, maybe some of the bulbs are only .15 A instead of .25 A, or decrease the estimate by say 3 amps or 12 bulbs.

Your count of 60 bulbs is probably pretty safe, I'm sure some are less than 1/4A. 

 

I once took a PW-ZW and did a torture test on it to see what it would do.  It was the type (R) that had the closed lamination and was supposed to have a bit more efficiency.  I got 230 watts out for a couple of hours, but it was getting pretty toasty, so I quit.  The voltage drop is significant at the higher power outputs as well.

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