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I am starting a new thread as this situation has been noted in several threads.  

 

On page 22 of the set manual at the top under troubleshooting it says "The locomotive stopped dead."  It says the locomotive is equipped with "motor lock out" technology.  I suggest those of you who have had you engine stop read that section.

 

The only problem I have had with mine stopping is where it found 2 imperfect spots on my Gilbert track at very low speed.  A little track correction and it went fine.  

 

Mine pulled the five cars and three of my Union Pacific heavyweights of the same type easily.  I used a 30B with 15 volts and the FlyerChief. 

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Mine runs great with all five cars, smoke on, and sound full volume on the high rail with the AF 22035 175 watt transformer. If I put it all on the track and transformer that came with it I keep getting shut downs with any settinge on the controler past about 2 oclock. I plan to convert the cars to led as soon as the translucent car issue is worked out. I am hoping it drops the load enough for it to run on the set track as this is what I plan to use under the tree. I do not believe 36 watts is enough for all the cars.
Originally Posted by banjoflyer:
 
According to Lionel Customer Service, this power pack's plug  only fits  O-gauge Fastrack terminal track sections AND NOT Fastrack S-gauge  terminal track sections.
When asked if Lionel was planning to make this power pack for S-gauge Fastrack, the customer service rep said, "No". According to the Lionel, the 36 watt, 2 amp walwart included with the FlyerChief PE set provides sufficient power to pull the cars included with the set but not when additional cars are added.
Lionel recommends when additional cars are added, you should switch from dc to ac power using a CW-80 or more powerful transformer.

This 6-81603 powerpack will supply twice the power of the set included 36W pack.

A call to Lionel to see if the plug is the same as that on the Flyer Chief pack would be in order.

It's silly to have to buy an additional power pack but at least it's an option:

 

72w

 

Mark

 

Last edited by ogaugeguy
Originally Posted by ogaugeguy:
According to the Lionel, the 36 watt, 2 amp walwart included with the FlyerChief PE set provides sufficient power to pull the cars included with the set but not when additional cars are added.

I disagree. I was able to get the wallwart to fail running only 3 cars if I cranked the throttle up high enough. It is the most glaring defect of this "Ready to Run" set since it affects every single one made. I know we all have alternatives but the first time buyer does not. The Big L should make it right not make incorrect statements in its defense.

 

 

Originally Posted by Roundhouse Bill:

I din't know what your problem is FlyerRich.  I used my Walpack to pull the entire 3 car consist on the supplied Fastrack loop and it could go so fast that the train derailed.  You must have a special situation.

Bill,

It was the last test I did. I got it to 3 cars and revved it up. It could have been when i blew the whistle or played the sounds. It was on the supplied Fasttrack. I remember thinking that it will be a problem for the newbie.

Rich

Adding track will be a concern due to the inadequacy of the wall wart and the added resistance to current flow from the additional track. The terminal section supplied with the set is not the same as the separate sale terminal section. The only solution to power issues is to ditch the wall wart for a separate transformer like a CW-80 or power supply such as a Legacy Powerhouse. Of course that may mean adapting it to the supplied terminal section or purchasing a new one if you're going to use Fasttrack.

Thanks for the info, banjoflyer. One would think after Lionel's initial faux pax years ago when they under-powered their original 1st generation O-gauge PE sets with a small (therefore inefficient) loco motor that they would have made a point to look to the future for RTR starter sets manufactured since then and use a more powerful wallwart than the 36 watt 2 amp one they include with their new AF PE sets.

BTW, banjoflyer, would that ebay power source you cited provide sufficient watts and amps to power this set with the two additional PE add on cars that are available, or should a 72 watt, 4 amp wallwart be used?

Also, does anyone know why Lionel recommends switching to an AC power supply when upping the wattage and amps of a power supply for this PE AF loco instead of continuing to use a dc power supply, but one with more watts and amps?

Last edited by ogaugeguy

Mark,

You are an electronics wizard!  Thanks for the explanations.

 

Questions - I know that you can always increase the power supply amperage (but not decrease it), but how critical a match is the voltage?  Does it have to be exactly 18 volts or can it vary higher or lower?  I just looked at two laptop power packs I have and one is 18.5 volts and the other 19 volts.

 

Also, a suggestion.  I'm sure most of us already have a stash of no longer used old wall packs laying around.  Before purchasing a new one, it's probably worth it to check those to see if one matches the specs.

 

Mike A.

 

 

 

 

Last edited by Mikeaa
Originally Posted by Roundhouse Bill:

Look at the manual as I think it tells you the max.  I use my 30B transformer at 15 volts and it has plenty of power.

Thanks for the response, but although my question is related to the set, it's also more of general electronics query so I'm hoping Mark addresses that part of it.

 

Besides, haven't you gotten the memo?  Men don't read manuals!  LOL

 

Mike A. 

Last edited by Mikeaa

My LHS finally got my Polar Express in from their distributor. After all the horror stories I ran it on their test track, and it runs fine in the conventional mode. All the coaches appear to have the correct under-frames on them. Didn't put power to the coaches, so I can't say if the roofs glow or not.

I ordered the larger 6-81603 power source and the universal remote last night as well.

 

So no long term running, but I'm happy with it. The cast-on handrails don't look too bad, so I can live with it.

CQZy_nCVAAAsWtT.jpg large

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Logcruiser,
I did not realize that my cars had the problem with the illuminated roofs until I converted the first one to the  LED strips. When I darkened the room to see how the LEDs looked I saw the roofs on the four not yet converted lit up, the car with the LED strip looked fine. The strip lighting mounted to the roof solved the problem.
Ray
 
 
Originally Posted by logcruiser:
Mine runs great with all five cars, smoke on, and sound full volume on the high rail with the AF 22035 175 watt transformer. If I put it all on the track and transformer that came with it I keep getting shut downs with any settinge on the controler past about 2 oclock. I plan to convert the cars to led as soon as the translucent car issue is worked out. I am hoping it drops the load enough for it to run on the set track as this is what I plan to use under the tree. I do not believe 36 watts is enough for all the cars.

 

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