Lionel Rotary Beacon 494 - Installing a Potentiometer ???

A potentiometer is probably not going to work in this case. The coil is going to draw to much current for it to handle. You will just see smoke coming from it. Do you know what post you saw this from? Lower the voltage from the transformer.

I can’t seem to find that specific feed. I am using a Lionel KW Transformer. When I hook it up to the 6 V post, it’s not enough power to get it to spin. When I hook it up to the 14 V post, it spins great, but a little too fast.

Just get you a small Lionel transformer specifically for running those accessories....this way you can dial it in where you’d like....they don’t have to be on a fixed voltage pairing.....Pat

I have room for the second transformer, but if I have a few things hooked to it and I dial it down to slow down the Beacon, would this affect everything else also? Thanks for bearing with me. 
maybe I’m overthinking this....attaching video of how fast it spins...

im surprised there isn’t some small electrical gizmo that would solve this? 

I concur with Harmonyards I'v been using small transf that I pick up at train shows for about $3 , controls my accessories wonderful.

I use a Type V for finicky accessories. It has four different variable outputs, and they can be found for about $50.

11 volts from my Lionel 1033 transformer, that I purchased for a mere $10, gives my 494 beacon an exactly prototypical 12 rpm.  

Tom

mwalz posted:

I have room for the second transformer, but if I have a few things hooked to it and I dial it down to slow down the Beacon, would this affect everything else also? Thanks for bearing with me. 
maybe I’m overthinking this....attaching video of how fast it spins...

im surprised there isn’t some small electrical gizmo that would solve this? 

No worries buddy, most of us will be patient with you, and those that are not, well, they ain’t worth worrying about......yes, your kinda over thinking this....like John said, a cheap type V will give you 4 channels  ( or “throttles” )  you can play around with to best suit your voltage needs....you might find a couple different accessories may share the same needs as your 494....and they can be put on that same channel.....spreading out the load as to not cause an overload on a given channel is key......having the ability to dial in your accessories is the best part, slow it down, or speed it up like a top if you please ( just don’t nuke it) ......biggest thing is, smile and have fun.....don’t beat yourself up........Pat

Lyle posted:

I concur with Harmonyards I'v been using small transf that I pick up at train shows for about $3 , controls my accessories wonderful.

That's what I do as well. A dedicated cheap small transformer is the easiest way to control a power-sensitive accessory. I have a number of the type with small plastic cases that were used with MPC-era starter sets.

I like the idea of using The Lionel Type V Transformer. Does anyone have a reliable place that sells these rebuilt? Very hard to trust Ebay sellers for transformers.  

Another option is to find a pre-War Lionel 95 or 81 rheostat which was designed for just such a purpose.  A rheostat is very similar to a potentiometer but built specifically to "drop" voltage and deal with the resulting heat dissipation required. They can be found in good condition on That Auction Site for under $10 if one looks around a bit.

The guys are steering you straight. Just buy a small transformer. Problem solved.

I'm going with the Lionel Type V Transformer.... It's the best solution and it's gonna look great next to my KW!

Thanks for all your help guys & gals!

mwalz posted:

I'm going with the Lionel Type V Transformer.... It's the best solution and it's gonna look great next to my KW!

Thanks for all your help guys & gals!

Can't go wrong with a Type V or Z. I use a Z with my trusty ZW. They are great for fine tuning voltage to various accessories. 

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned dropping the voltage at the accessory using silicon diodes. Each diode will drop the voltage by about 0.7 volts. And since you're dealing with AC current, they need to be strung back to back in opposite directions. Bridge rectifiers are perfect for this:

From each bridge rectifier arranged in this way, you achieve a voltage drop of about 1.4 volts. And you can string together as many as you want. Individual stages can be worked out with regular diodes to yield the 0.7 volt drop.