Using a Lionel LW transformer with TIU and AIU

An LW is the largest single throttle pure sine wave postpar unit. If you want to ask about various tap associations..."where/what is common? ask that. You need to list list your intentions for accessory powering so phasing or proper tappimg might be followed. 

The breaker is a thermal one and slower than modern power, but no worse off than say an old ZW.  The only thing I can think of off hand is the U and throttle wiper relationship changes on a few and I forget which; but again, that's part of checking taps and phase once you mix power circuits, no matter if it's "one unit" or not.

Avoid? Modern CWs maybe... maybe chopped wave units in general. Maybe the TW (I think... one of the later pwL units had two smaller transfomers inside with LESS total watt output at the throttle than is normally expected as the rating is always listed for the total max. consumtion in watts, not for a max. output, which in that unit is divided (unequally) among two outputs.

  Anyhow more detailed about info on your intentions only helps. The variety of operations offered kinda demands it too.

Thanks for the thorough reply. To clarify, I would like to use the LW fixed voltage posts to go into the fixed 1 channel of my TIU. I would use the variable posts with the dial set to 12v for my accessories, right now I just plan on powering about 7 Atlas O switch machines and may decide to add an operating accessory or two, perhaps a saw mill and/or lumber loader but probably not in the near future.

My specific concern, the DCS companion warns against possible voltage spikes if the TIU and switches/accessories are powered by the same transformer. As I stated above, I am wondering if the fact that the LW was designed to power both changes these recommendations.

Thanks!

-Ken

I would recommend powering the TIU through the AUX Power jack. That is where the TIU and any AUIs connected to the TIU would draw power from, leaving the LW to power just the trains through Fixed 1. A Z-1000 brick should work fine.

When connecting the LW to Fixed 1 I would use an automotive fast blow fuse between the LW and TIU on the input power wire. I use 10 amp ATO fuses between my Postwar ZW and the input power wire on my TIU but with a LW I would go 7.5 amp, since that's about what a LW will max out at. 

Hi KEN S,

There are ways to safely use your LW for both track power and accessories.  You can add fast blow fuses or circuit brakers to the TIU inputs.  However, when you add up the cost of the TIU and the engines running on the track, buying a modern transformer becomes pretty cheap insurance.  You mentioned above that you want to run track power on fixed voltage, which would indicate you're going all command control with your trains.  If you will only have one or two trains on powered track you could use a Z-1000 brick.  If you plan to run more than a couple trains, you can step up to a Lionel 180 watt PowerHouse, which nicely matches the amperage capacity of each TIU channel.  With the TIU and engines powered from a modern power supply, you can still use your LW to power accessories.  If you want to control power to the accessories from the LW with the AIU, that's fine.  The screw terminals on the AIU are completely isolated from the power of that runs the AIU and TIU's electronics.

I used an LW for years to power the track through the TIU. I used Lionel's TMCC Lock-On between the transformer and the TIU. Its breaker is as fast as the ones used in the MTH Z4000 and Lionels modern ZWs and bricks. A couple orders of magnitude faster than even a fast blow fuse.

Only recently was the LW replaced with a Z4000.

Pete

Thanks so much for quick and thorough replies!