Lionel CW-80 transformer/controller

road_foreman · 04-10-2008, 02:53 AM

My CW-80 powers up and the green light fades out after 10 seconds or so. Does anyone else have this problem? What is the cause and what is the remedy?

Dave Farquhar · 04-10-2008, 10:17 PM

I had a CW-80 that acted sort of like that. Lionel replaced it under warranty. While it's technically possible to repair CW-80s, Lionel treats them as throwaways. Is yours under warranty, I hope?

road_foreman · 04-11-2008, 12:26 AM

Thank you Dave - I think it is because I am trying to operate it on a 50hz power supply.

Dave Farquhar · 04-11-2008, 07:35 PM

Yes, that will do it. The CW-80 doesn't like 50 Hz at all. I've read some UK hobbyists use a US spec 12V DC to 120V AC 60HZ pure sine inverter powered by a 230V 50Hz to 13.8V DC power supply to convert the 50 Hz to 60 Hz.

I hope this helps.

road_foreman · 04-11-2008, 09:35 PM

Thanks again Dave. I will chase that up and see if it makes any difference

04-10-2008, 02:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
road_foreman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4	Lionel CW-80 transformer/controller My CW-80 powers up and the green light fades out after 10 seconds or so. Does anyone else have this problem? What is the cause and what is the remedy?

04-10-2008, 10:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dave Farquhar Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 501	I had a CW-80 that acted sort of like that. Lionel replaced it under warranty. While it's technically possible to repair CW-80s, Lionel treats them as throwaways. Is yours under warranty, I hope? __________________ Dave Farquhar http://dfarq.homeip.net

04-11-2008, 12:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
road_foreman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4	Lionel CW-80 transformer/controller Thank you Dave - I think it is because I am trying to operate it on a 50hz power supply.

04-11-2008, 07:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dave Farquhar Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 501	Yes, that will do it. The CW-80 doesn't like 50 Hz at all. I've read some UK hobbyists use a US spec 12V DC to 120V AC 60HZ pure sine inverter powered by a 230V 50Hz to 13.8V DC power supply to convert the 50 Hz to 60 Hz. I hope this helps. __________________ Dave Farquhar http://dfarq.homeip.net

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04-11-2008, 09:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
road_foreman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4	Thanks again Dave. I will chase that up and see if it makes any difference

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