This is my first post. Hello, and nice to be here!
My grandchildren live in the UK, and I just bought them a little "Pet Shop Diesel" layout, which they've been using here at my house in NC this Summer. It comes with a DC wall pack and Lion Chief remote control.
I know that the standard Lionel AC transformers/controllers will not run on UK power- they have 220v and 50hz, as opposed to our 110v and 60hz. Since this little train operates on DC volts, I see no reason why it won't work in the UK. The DC wall pack has an output of 18V DC, 600 mA. Does anyone know of any reason why it won't work there in the UK, if we purchase a UK power supply with the same DC output?
I have my own trains too, by the way : )
Cape Fear Yadkin
Hello & Welcome to the Forum!
Am going on memory of being stationed overseas almost 50 years ago.
Here in the US, voltage is 110/120 volts, 60 cycles.
Europe/GB, 220/240 volts, 50 cycles.
When using US built electrical items we used an inexpensive adapter, bringing the voltage down to 110/120 volts,.
Now can remember having to adjust the speed on turntables because of the cycle difference,
so it may affect the speed of the motor.
l do think that if you can get a wall wart that will operate on the British current, it would be the way to go.
just my opinion, hopefully someone with a little more experience will chime in..
Gunrunner John, can you answer this one?
Happy Rails
dave
Having worked in the electronics field, I can say that a UK power pack of the same DC output voltage and current output will work your trains. You may have to change out the plug to fit the terminal track.
The current output of the power pack can be more than the original 600mA; the train will use only the current that it is designed to use.
Larry
one of those duhhh... moments..
lionel & dc...
just ain't natural...
Thanks, guys. I reckoned that it would work, since it's DC. Sounds like you think so too. I'm going to send it back over with them.
I actually tried to run a Lionel train in the UK sometime back, using one of the US/UK adapters (not a converter). As soon as we plugged it in, the train took off at double speed and jumped the track. It fried my US transformer/controller. I think that, even if you cut the voltage in half to 110, if 50hz frequency still makes it impossible. The fact that this little train set runs on DC power opens up new possibilities.
Thanks again!