Hi All,
I think cost wise and power need/voltage wise the CW-80 and acceosry transformer makes the most sense, a ZW is probably not needed. I have the "new&improved" CW-80 on order (not sure when it will ship) and I already have the 1.6 amp Lionel accessory transformer. I'm wondering if I cancel the Cw-80 (or keep it for future temporary layouts) and go for the gusto and a ZW-L, but I don't think I need it, so asking for input.
Layout is 11 feet by 9 feet with 6 switches and 7 operating tracks. Will usually run one train but could see running two at a time. All are newer legacy or lion chief DC motor locomotives and mostly LED passenger cars. There will be about 6-7 operating accessories but those will typically be ran one at a time and when a train is stopped. I need three voltages, one for track, one for the barrel loader as I like how it runs at about 8-9 volts and one set about 14 volts for the rest of the accessories. Most buildings will be led, a few incandescent that will run off this transformer, the others will be on their own such as woodland scenic or menards buildings.
I would like to be able to run the track at maybe 16 volts to compromise between 18 volts and 14 volts for the operating tracks which eliminates the 180 watt power brick option for track power.
So I need three voltages from what I can tell, I think I can achieve this with the CW-80 and accessory transformer, or even two Cw-80s would be way cheaper and take up about the same mount of space as a ZW-l. I do however like one stop shop the transformer provides with 4 outputs, and the voltage and amperage gauges, looks sweet, but will cost much more
