Need Transformer Guidance

Sometimes a Smoke Unit draws too much current. If the engine runs good with them off, have at it.

My first thinking is either you have a runt transformer or a shorted smoke unit. In the light of my theorys I would want to discard the shorted smoke unit before beefing up the juice.

Don't run with the smoke unit empty of fluids and on at the same time.

Retail pricing is a challenge for everyone these days. We are happy to have a shop at all in these times.

Thanks Lee,

When the smoke unit is on it blows a decent amount of smoke, a lot more than the Lionels. Which is what I have heard when compared to MTH. Is it possible that the smoke unit has a short and blows too much smoke?

-Ferromex

I think to some extent it is important for us to support the LHS. I'd be lost without mine.

40 watts is not enough to run the engine with the smoke unit. Smoke unit is most likely OK. Get an 80 watt transformer or more.

Dale H

Sounds like you are just putting too much load on that little transformer. As for your smoke unit if it's working, it's not shorted. Ditto with the engine. If you have a short with these new transformers, expect to trip the breaker immediately when power is applied.

For a whopping $9.50, you can get this really neat little meter from Lightobject.com. Wire it in series with your track feed and you can read how much current you are pulling. Sounds like a new transformer (or two) is in your future.

Gilly

get one of these and you problem will be solved.

http://www.mthtrains.com/content/40-1000

Good choice. And the brick will plug right into the DCS Remote Commander when you want to start playing with MTH PS2/3. Since he's got two loops, I'd pop for a pair.

Gilly

It's so much fun spending someone else's money for a change.....

Gilly,

Wiring that meter in Series to track lock on? Can you elaborate?

And is one of these adequate?

http://www.lightobject.com/DC-...anel-Meter-P193.aspx

One further question... are digital Meters any good? Sometimes I run DC in HO however rarely. Your meter seems to want AC input.

Thanks for all your help guys, that confirms my guess. Since I am a newbie, I am just glad the engine was not the problem.

-Ferromex

I'll add another vote for the Z-1000.  It will run anything you might get for quite a while. 

Those 40 watt budget transformers are not intended for engines with sound and smoke.  You can always use the 40 watt'r to run your building lights and stuff, so it's not a total waste. 

I'll add another "thumbs up" for the Z-1000. Been using them for years without a single problem or hiccup. Great products. 

I have 3 Z-100's. They all work great.

Thanks guys!

One more question; When I do get a larger transformer is it wise to add a Lionel (or any other brand) TMCC Power House Lock-on for over current protection? Or is this overkill?

If it is a modern transformer it would redundant. On the old PW type it would help. In either case make sure you install a TVS to protect the train electronics form voltage spikes.

Dale H

As Usual in this area, Dale is right on the money.

And I'll add that I too use Z-1000 power, tho I run mine direct into the TIU for my DCS nowadays.

Add a TVS on a Z-1000 and you are good to Go. I put mine at the connection to the track. Yes, you can put one at every power drop, I do.

If you really want a ton of power, Go for the Z-4000, then add the TVS to it as well.

The Z-4000 is 400 Watts of sweet smooth power. Largest UL listed train transformer out there. It is NOT cheap to buy tho.

Dale's website gives all the info you need on TVS buying & usage.