Question about Powering Accessories with a Wall Power Pack

I think it depends on the accessory. Lights for sure, but some of the action accessories work better if you can adjust the voltage. 

I think a lot of guys have accessories powered by individual wall wart power supplies. Those do contain a transformer of course. You can add power protection by putting an appropriately-rated PTC in line with the hot lead. But most wall warts are DC. Most Lionel accessories are AC. They might also operate on DC. But that is not a given.

So make sure your wall wart power supply is AC and check the manual for the accessory to make sure you're using the correct voltage AC or DC.

Good luck.

Don

As others have posted its going to depend on the accessory. I suspect that some would draw too much current for a little wall wart.

dennish posted:

Is it possible to power Lionel accessories with a 14 volt AC or 16 volt AC wall power pack wired directly to the accessory (rated at 14-18 volts)?

I would assume the power pack would need some in-line circuit protection, but I am looking for a way to NOT use a transformer.

I was not able to find a thread on the forum addressing this.

Thanks for any help,

The problem is different Accessories operate Best at various Voltages. When I get a new Accessory, I test it with an old Transformer (such as a 1033) to see what voltage it functions best. Then I check the Transformer to see what the Voltage was, and make a note of it someplace. Sometimes I put a small piece of Masking tape on the Accessory and write the Voltage down on that piece of tape. I use an old Z Transformer to operate my Accessories. It has 4 outputs that can be adjusted at various Voltages. Then I match the accessory with one of the preset Voltages required!

Fredstrains 

I use 28 volt center tapped transformers which provide two 14 volt AC outputs for accessories and switches.  The outputs are 180 degrees out of phase.

Steve, you need to be careful that those out of phase power feeds don't get together.

I have the Pirate Ship ride, which operates best on about 14 volts. I have a 14 volt AC wall plug that I thought might do the trick. I haven't tested it yet.

Also, the Swing Ride operates best at about 16 volts and I have a 16 volt AC wall plug for that.

If your 16V AC wall plug has enough power capability, you might look at powering both the Swing Ride (at 16V AC) and the Pirate Ship (at 14V AC) using diode-dropping.  3 pairs of diodes would work for this specific example as each pair drops the AC voltage by about 3/4 V.  Many OGR threads on this method.