Power - I think I am lacking it.

• Power - I think I am lacking it.
  Posted by wile1coyote on 22 Oct, 2014 17:04
• Part time hobbyist here. See also total newb!
  
  Santa got my son an O gauge Lionel North Pole Central kit for Christmas when he was 3. He is nine now and since he gets a few cars and accessories each year from Santa his layout has gotten quite large. We are pulling something like 15 feet of cars on a 45 foot long fast-track layout (over carpet) and basically you have to take the transformer to 100% to even get it to move, it still slows noticeably in the corners. We are still using the transformer that came with it which I am not even sure if it is an 80w or a 30w the pics look the same to me. I think it is an 80w. Question is, can I add a second transformer ( I don't think I can) upgrade to a larger one, or add another engine, to help move the cars along. I believe the answer to be that I need to upgrade the transformer, I have tried to research what I should get but I am pretty baffled by the options. A ZW seems to be the logical move up, would it handle what my setup entails? The new ZW-L seems to be pretty much identical to the ZW to me is there a difference I am not seeing? And then there is command and control which would be nice I guess but it seems to be hard to justify plunking down that kind of money for a set that ONLY goes up at Christmas. That is also kind of my concern about a ZW-L, It seems to be three times the price of the ZW but does the same thing. Appreciate any help you might offer. Looking forward to spending a day here decorating the house and getting the train out and hope to have stuff in place so he can really play with it again. ~Jon
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• #1 Reply
  Posted by djacobsen on 22 Oct, 2014 20:32
• wile1coyote
  Hello & Welcome to the Forum!
  
  First thing, I suggest you lubricate the axles on all your cars. It will help them roll easier.
  15 cars is a pretty heavy load for a single locomotive & you will have a considerable amount of drag with that many
  cars going through curves, thus slowing the train down. 
  Your Powermax Transformer supplies 40 watts of power, which should be sufficient power for your single locomotive.  You might want to add a second power feed at the furthest point of your track.
  If you have lighted cars, they will use some of the power, cutting down what is available to the locomotive.
  You'll also want to make sure your wheels & roller pick ups are clean and your locomotive is lubricated.
  Cleaning your track is helpful too.  If you haven't done so yet, you might read the pinned topics in the
  Lionel Maintenance & Repair sub-forum.
  
  For your train, you might want to consider double heading with a second locomotive, but that will mean
  that you'll want a bigger/more powerful Transformer.
  Here's a link to Lionel Transformers and Sales: http://www.lioneltransformer.com/
  He has very reasonable prices for his restored transformers & stands behind his sale's & repairs.
  He also will take your old transformer on trade in, if you choose, lowering  your purchase price.
  (no connection to seller, I do purchase parts from him for my repairs)
  
  Again, Welcome! 
  I hope you'll post some photo's of your Carpet Central Layout & Train.
  
  Happy Rails!
  Dave
  
  
  
  
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• #2 Reply
  Posted by TrainLarry on 24 Oct, 2014 17:22
• Welcome to the forum!
  
  With that large a layout, multiple power connections to the track are a must, one every 3-4 feet or so. As has been stated, clean track, wheels, and roller pickups are a necessity for proper operation.
  
  As for power, if you are powering accessories from the same transformer, you probably have it loaded to the limit. The locomotive may also be at its' limit for such a long train also. An upgrade to a larger transformer is definitely needed, as well a larger locomotive. The older postwar KW and ZW transformers will serve you well, and you can use them to power the layout into the future, even if you upgrade to a command layout.
  
  Larry
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