AF 22090 350W Transformer

Dick,

I would have to say it depends on what you want to do.

Are you planning to stay with conventional equipment or will you in the future be upgrading to more modern trains such as Legacy.

If you stay conventional those transformers should be ok, but I don't know if you will find anyone to repair the one that only works on one side. If you feel comfortable opening it up and look for a wire disconnected that you might repair, but do so when unit is unplugged.

If you plan on going with Legacy I would look into more modern power to protect the electronics in the newer engines.

Ray

Thanks - but this is my last lap, so to speak - I'm basically operating in the 40's, no Legacy, or any other electronics, planned for the future.

The 22090 was cataloged from 1959 through 1964. It is a great transformer for its time. I know several conventional operators who use and like them. Ray's advice on use with modern engines is a good caution. There is one other potential downside depending on which engines you run. Like all Gilbert transformers the starting voltage is about 7V. This works well with the original Gilbert engines and reverse units. If you have any American Models or SHS engines with can motors 7V is too high for a realistic slow speed.

Unplug it and look inside yourself if you're handy. I've.not been in the big ones but have been into my smaller 18b. Your's should be simpler without the deadman handles of the 32b or 22080 350w w/Deadman handles. 

You're looking for overheated/discolored winding wiper arms / broken rollers/flat spots/won't roll well/ arm sawing on windings or badly worn windings (big fat wire coil.. can't miss it).. and the circuit beaker on the dead side should be checked for continuity / operation.  Worn or damaged windings have less output, but may still be useful.

It looked like a Lionel ZW roller would fit the AF too. Maybe 50¢ + rivet or cotter pin, etc. buy extra rollers/rivet-c pins, the rollers crack pretty easy until you get a feel for crimping one on. You'll break 1 or 2 maybe first time. no biggie.

There isn't a whole lot in there. Unplugged there is no risk of shock or anything. A good visual check of wires, etc. is about it other than guiding you through a breaker check.

Remove the cover and take some pics if want some better insite, but in general , yea a tune up is likely worthwhile. But a visual check by you may be enough.  My 18b is a decent unit at about half that 22090s output, and runs my postwar Ogauge nicely. 

The 22090 is a simple transformer. It uses wipers, not rollers. The Gilbert Factory Service Manual is online at myflyertrains.org. The exploded view diagram of the 22090 is on p41 of the Transformers section. The failures are almost always a broken wire connection or a bad circuit breaker. There are two breakers, one in each Base Post connection.

Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions.

@Dick Hosmer posted:

Thanks - but this is my last lap, so to speak - I'm basically operating in the 40's, no Legacy, or any other electronics, planned for the future.

That is a good place to be, simply having fun with the trains as they were intended to be. As was stated earlier this is a pretty simple trandformer, unplug and look inside for a broken wire or possibly a wiper that may be bent or broken.

Ray