Hello Everyone,
I'm new to the forum and O scale in general. Recently I purchased my first O scale set, an MTH RailKing set that came with a Z-500 transformer and DCS Remote Commander. Right now I have an 8 foot long loop. I plan to make this a little more interesting over time. I was wondering how do you know when its time to move up to a more powerfully transformer?
Thanks for any thoughts on this.
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Welcome,
The transformers in the sets usually work pretty well. If you add some more track just add another set of power hook-up wires from the transformer, you don't need more power just more power feed wires.
If you add extra freight or passenger cars then you may need to upgrade to a more powerful transformer. The one that I like is the MTH Z-1000, a 100 watt, transformer and 100 hundred watts is plenty of power unless you have lots of lighted passenger cars or many accessories running off the transformer.
If you are running MTH then stick with MTH power supply.
Lee Fritz
Lagerstout,
Lee gives good advise, if you want to run more lighted passenger cars or operating rolling stock, the Z1000 is a real nice transformer, if you are planning to really enlarge your layout some day, the old ZW's are nice, then there is the Z4K and the new ZW-L.
It all depends on how much operating power you will eventually need for running different trains, all at the same time, on your prospective layouts. IMO opinion it is always better to over power your layouts so you can expand any time you like. Also this keeps you from purchasing several small transformers along the way to your ultimate power station set up. Remember however the bigger the transformer, the more money you will pay. Pick wisely my friend.
PCRR/Dave
Both good answers. I'd just do it as soon as you can! Just like an air conditioner, it's better to have more and not need it, than to have less and need more.
Lagerstout,
First of all, Welcome to the "itty-bitty"* forum. May I suggest that you put your Z-500 aside. Invest a little cash in a Z-1000 as it will service quite a bit before you'll need to invest again.(it's only a suggestion)
*only the largest forum this side of the pond*
Better experts may refute this but, I think the CW-80 works pretty well with the Remote Commander system. I have use it several times myself with both the remote commander and with full DCS. The biggest negative with the CW-80 is the choppy sine wave. However, at the higher power settings it smooths the sine wave out and works pretty well. It will work with the remote commander. Run the track power from the CW-80 to the barrel nut part of the track lock on and run the IR sensor to the banana plug like normal. The power does not have to go through the IR sensor. When you raise the power on the CW-80 take it almost all the way to full throttle. Also, the CW-80 is really good at running accessories. The Z500 will work pretty adequately unless you are trying to run multi engine lash ups with several passenger cars.
Nothing wrong with the CW but the chopped sine wave it puts out is not compatible with a lot of MTH engines.
If you convert lighted passenger cars to LED lighting you should not need a more powerful transformer.
80 watts will run most any train,unless it is some super long double headed thing on a big layout. .
Dale H
Better experts may refute this but, I think the CW-80 works pretty well with the Remote Commander system. I have use it several times myself with both the remote commander and with full DCS. The biggest negative with the CW-80 is the choppy sine wave. However, at the higher power settings it smooths the sine wave out and works pretty well. It will work with the remote commander. Run the track power from the CW-80 to the barrel nut part of the track lock on and run the IR sensor to the banana plug like normal. The power does not have to go through the IR sensor. When you raise the power on the CW-80 take it almost all the way to full throttle. Also, the CW-80 is really good at running accessories. The Z500 will work pretty adequately unless you are trying to run multi engine lash ups with several passenger cars.
Goshawk, I tried your way and I didn't really like the results. My MTH didn't like the CW-80 power. Attempts at slow speed resulted in jerky movements and buzzy motors. Performance on the z-500 was much smoother.
Wise decision, you will not regret your choice.
I have 3 MTH PS-2 engines and they won't work with the Lionel CW-80, it makes them act like they are constantly starting & stopping about 15 times a second, and the engine sounds go wild.
I would rather spend my money on a re-built post war ZW, at 275 watts you won't need much more power then that except for another ZW to power up more tracks with. I run 8 to 10 trains, not all at once but it's nice to have enough power for them all.
I have a post war; ZW 275 watts, a post war Z 250 watts, a post war KW 190 watts and 2 MTH Z-1000's 100 watts each. The MTH and older Lionel transformers play well with almost any brand of trains.
I was able to test my MTH engines at a friend's house who had the Lionel CW-80 so that's how I found it don't work with my MTH engines.
The new Lionel ZW-L is nice from what I hear but it is out of my price range, most I have seen are over $750.00 new.
The MTH Z-4000 is another nice size transformer(over $300.00 new) but I want track power and not accessory power so I will go for an older ZW or the Z-1000.
Lee Fritz
Welcome LagerStout
Your Dcs commander is only rated up to the Z-1000 power supply .
Buy your self the z-1000 !
then run more power leads to your loop or layout .
buy another controller like the one that comes with the z-1000 & connect that to your 50watt power supply to light up buildings & light posts .
I wish you lots of happy times with your trains .
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