Old CW80 biting the dust. Need advice re Semi-Old-School Transformer with Bell/Whistle Button

@Mannyrock posted:

My CW80 is on its last legs. That's OK, because I paid almost nothing for it at a flea market.  The left lever, for whistle and direction, is now mushy and sticks, and whenever I use the whistle lever, the engines (even my new can motor engines) slow down dramatically.

Are you sure you have a CW-80? Mine doesn't have a "left lever for whistle and direction." Just one lever on the right and three pushbuttons.

For my money, the best replacement for a CW-80 is the MTH Z-1000, while they are available....

Actually, while the Z-1000 is OK, it's not a pure sine wave transformer.  I have had issues testing some PS/1 and even some PS/2 in conventional mode using the Z-1000, so I am not enamored with it.  I actually removed that from the test bench in favor of my recently acquired MRC AH501.

@PLCProf posted:

Are you sure you have a CW-80? Mine doesn't have a "left lever for whistle and direction." Just one lever on the right and three pushbuttons.

I believe he corrected himself and stated it is the 1033.

@Mannyrock posted:

Thanks for all of this input.

I now have 85 feet of track down, with seven switches and two engines running at once, plus accessories.  So, I think I'm heading to a transformer with more than 80 watts.  I think I will watch for a used 501 as John recommended.

Yep, one 80W transformer isn't sufficient for that.

I am pretty sure MRC no longer makes AC Transformers.

John

Perhaps, but there are plenty of them available on the used market.  The AH501 and AH601 models are pretty bulletproof.

Perhaps you can locate a Williams or Atlas 80 watt transformer (they are identical except the label). I use one on my work bench and picked it up for $35 at a show. It's a classic pure wave transformer with Whistle & Bell.

80 watts should run your layout with two engines but maybe look at putting the accessories on a another transformer.

@H1000 posted:

Perhaps you can locate a Williams or Atlas 80 watt transformer (they are identical except the label). I use one on my work bench and picked it up for $35 at a show. It's a classic pure wave transformer with Whistle & Bell.

80 watts should run your layout with two engines but maybe look at putting the accessories on a another transformer.

I think he's already decided he needs more than 80 watts.  Why buy two transformers when one larger one with accessory outputs will do the trick?

I just got the 6-37947 from Lionel. I like the retro look. I was really surprised at the size of the PH180 brick. It's really big and heavy. Having owned it for just a few days, not sure I'm qualified to comment further. Since I run LC/LC+ locomotives, I will say this will be an outstanding speed "limiter" when the grandsons grab the controls.

This replaced my 54 watt wall-wart. I expect this to provide enough power for any empire I can build.

The GW-180 (Lionel 6-37947) generates a chopped waveform - except toward the top end of the throttle limit, where the shapes of the waveforms converge.  While some MTH locomotives will be happy, there is no guarantee that all will be.  At least one of mine (the BL-2) will NOT operate with the GW-180 unless I crank the throttle way, way up to get it moving (and then try like heck to throttle down and get it under 'control' before it reaches the first curve).  Maybe depends on how much excitement you want.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I think he's already decided he needs more than 80 watts.  Why buy two transformers when one larger one with accessory outputs will do the trick?

I was thinking to he could reuse the CW80 for accessories. It seemed to at least be functional enough to live out the rest of it's life this way.

For the price of an old KW and a bell button, it too would be economical route.

He corrected his assertion, he has a 1033.  Apparently, his 1033 also has a problem of some kind, so I think he just wants to move on to a good transformer.

Maybe train shows are a good option, but if you search for either the MRC or Williams transformers they are either no longer available, not in stock, or more than list price. 

John

Yep, John's got it right.   The old 1033 was good for the past year, in building and testing my layout, but now I need to move to more wattage .   I will probably keep it, and mount it under the table for running a few AC accessories, but not run trains.  When that left-side lever goes mushy and starts to stall or stick, then you've got a transformer that won't blow a whistle or reverse direction properly.

Jacko, thanks for the suggestion.  Yet on that new model, the throttle design would be problem for me.  Lifting and lowering a lever just doesn't feel right to me.

If I buy a good rebuilt KW or LW from Trainz4mers, can anybody tell me exactly what I would need to buy and hook up to create an independent bell/horn switch?  Do I just need to buy the small black plastic pad with the red button in the middle?  Or, are there other components I would need to buy.

Thanks for all advice.

Mannyrock

Such as:  "LIONEL K-LINE K-0952B RAILSOUNDS WHISTLE & or HORN CONTROLLER" ?

I have a ZW-C that is powered by two bricks. I bought it used recently and it plays well with my MTH and Lionel engines--although I have no command control Lionel--all conventional.

@Mannyrock posted:

...can anybody tell me exactly what I would need to buy and hook up to create an independent bell/horn switch?

Add Whistle & Bell:

Without adequate power, the train will slow down or actually stop when you press the button on those controllers.  Plus, ALL hot rail wires have to go through that button before going to the transformer.

John

Thanks Rob and John.  Great info.

Mannyrock

I ended up making a more robust Sound Activation button thanks to Susan's fantastic project on her website:

Sound Activation and Block Protection Project

John