@@peterfenzel4742 Thanks for your reply, Peter. I've been repairing trains for years. And thanks to your 1033 video, I've rebuilt quite a few of those transformers as well as the RW. And I do get the same satisfaction as you do when I can make something work again. However, the ZWs and KWs intimidate the heck out of me. I once completely destroyed a ZW trying to reassemble all of the parts. I was thinking about buying a junked KW on ebay to see if I could do it. But it still intimidates me.
@@anthonyzagarino5196 I can agree with your perspective, Anthony, particularly With the ZW. The compartmentalization within the Bakelite case alone makes repairs far more complicated than they should be. The FISH paper used for insulation is a real pain; and a lot of the installations require three hands. The KW, on the other hand, merely requires you to go through a lot of small steps to make repairs. The only real problem for me with a KW is the tolerance for the transformer core within the bracketing. but where there is a will, there is a way, and eventually you can put it back into place. What I love about the KW is the elegance to accomplish so many functions with such simple technology within so compact a space.
I would really appreciate it if you would show a video on rebuilding the Lionel Type Z 250 Watt Transformer. In my personal opinion the type Z Transformer is superior to the ZW. You just can not find any information, or Videos on it. Very helpful video that I appreciate. Very informative. I really Love the Lionel Type Z. It is a super great Transformer. I have 3 ZW’s 3 Type Z’s and 3 Type V’s
@@67gt500snakebite I agree with you 100%. The Z is a great pre-war and post-war transformer, but was quickly eclipsed in the post war period by the ZW. I have not yet had the opportunity to tear apart a Z and restore it.
Dr. John de Sequeyra, a Sephardic Jew of Portuguese extraction, was born in London and moved to Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1745. He was an eminent physician, and known for visiting patients in a hospital for the mentally ill. There is an apocryphal story that says he ate a tomato in the town square in Williamsburg to prove that the vegetable was not poison. The truth is that de Sequeyra and Thomas Jefferson worked to popularize tomatoes in America.
Thanks for the video. I have a 675 that I received for Christmas (Used :) in 1961. To my knowledge, there are no remaining independent model train stores in North Carolina and so I will now be doing my own maintenance and this is extremely helpful.
Hello, Mike! Thanks very much forthe kind message. If you need any help maintaining/repairing your 675, just give a shout. There are also several good online parts suppliers should you need new parts for the locomotive. I hope your enjoyment of running your engine is enhanced by the knowledge that it operates well because of the attention and care you gave it! Kind regards, Pete
Thank you for the question. I believe I answered that question in the first minute of the video. You would install a rectifier diode as indicated. I made step-by-step instructions on installing a rectifier diode in the video on the 1033 transformer which should help you adjust to the slightly different arrangement of the KW. I hope this helps you.
Hello DL, and thank you for the question. We need more information in order to narrow down the possible causes. 1. The first is to see whether the power cord is effective. Using a multimeter, check, the U - A, U - B, and the A - C binding post combinations. What voltages do you get? If you get no power to any of the binding post combinations, then you must replace the power cord. That is just the beginning because there could be other issues in addition to the power cord. Start with that and get back to me with your progress at your convenience. Good luck!
@@peterfenzel4742 I actually ended up going through it all last night and got it running. Had some no good connections inside. I appreciate your response
the alamo area belonged to mexico. they gave the men a chance to leave. just because texas declared their independence doesn't mean mexico gave it to them.
Amazing story. I was in Austin last fall and visited the Texas State History Museum, where they also have an interesting display of artifacts from the Alamo. Remember the Alamo!!
Incredible story! Thanks for sharing. It is an amazing story of bravery, freedom, patriotism and loyalty. It is something to think about given our circumstances today.
Hello! I’ve been having some problems with my own 1033. The A post has appeared to have stopped working, and before when it was working, every couple of minutes the transformer would start rapidly cutting out. Do you think you would know what would be causing this issue? Nice informative video by the way, certainly teached me a lot!
Hello NG, and thank you for the question. Let's try to eliminate some of the potential causes: 1. Is the problem with the A post or with other components of the transformer? Instead of connecting track wires to the U-A posts, try connecting to the U-B posts instead, and see whether the same problem exists when running trains on the U-B connection. You may notice the trains run slower on the U-B connection, but that is normal. The U-B connection outputs 11 volts, while the U-A connection outputs 16 volts. If you have a multimeter, check the voltage output for U-A, U-B, and A-C connections. The A-C connections should output a constant 16 volts. 2. If the U-B connection works fine, we can focus solely on the U-A connection. If the U-B connection is also dead or cuts out, then the problem likely lies with the circuit breaker. For safety's sake, WHEN IN DOUBT, REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER! See Part II of this video for circuit breaker replacement instructions. 3. If the problem rests solely with the U-A connection, resolder the #4 wire to the A post and check again. There should be power to the A post if the #4 wire is good and the solder joint is solid. Before going into more arcane possibilities, try the above first and please let me know how things turn out! Kind regards, Pete
@@peterfenzel4742 I appreciate the response! I tried the U-B connection and that did not work, however the U-C connection worked just fine. I put a multimeter up to the U-A posts and it appears to be working just fine when it’s not connected to any track, same goes for the U-B. So perhaps the main issue is the breaker?
@@NotGavin yes, I would replace the breaker as the most likely culprit. It is easy to do and inexpensive. You can see how to install a new breaker in part two of this video. Good luck! Please let me know how things work out.
@@peterfenzel4742hey! One more question if ya don’t mind, would i need to rip out the old breaker to install the new Busman breaker? Or could i just have the new breaker alongside the old one?
Loved your videos! I changed the powercord, rollers, and rectifier disc as per your videos on my own KW!!. All works well. When i use the whistle lever on the B side it stops and reverses the locomotive. It did this before i even touched it. What do you think could be causing this?? Thanks in advance!
Thank you for the comment and for the question, Tony. The two reversing buttons on the top of the transformer should reverse the direction of the locomotive, not the whistle lever. The fact that the whistle lever is interrupting power to enable the unit within the locomotive to cycle into neutral, and then into the opposite direction suggests that your wires are crossed inside the transformer. Please go to my video on rewiring, a KW transformer to see where the wires are supposed to be and check whether your transformer conforms to that wiring arrangement. Another quick test would be to see whether turning the whistle lever adds another 5 volts to your power output. Use a multimeter to check whether, at full throttle, the 20 V increases to 25 V, when you turn the whistle lever on the A side and the B side. If the B side does not show the compensating voltage increase, then that will confirm that your wires need to be rearranged internally. Please let me know how things result. Thanks a lot! Good luck.
Yes i am getting 20 volts on both A and B sides. 25 volts on the A side when the whistle lever is pushed. However when i use the B side whistle lever, it drops from 20 volts down to 0 then up to 25. when its pushed all the way. Very strange. I can live with it, i just wont be able to use the whistle on the B side. I wonder if its the actual lever thats bad? Either way i still enjoyed all your intructional videos! Keep em coming!! I love learning how to DYI!!
Hello Tony! The fact that the voltage drops to zero before it rises to 25v on the B side explains the reversing of the locomotive. From your description, it sounds like the B side loses contact and then regains contact at the extreme end of the turn. I would remover the operating platform and visually inspect the B side lever for consistent contact. Make sure there is no debris or grime impairing consistent contact. Take pictures along the way so you remember how to reassemble.
Peter thanks so much for giving me the advise! I was never able to really figure it out , i tried everything!!! So i purchased a new top platform and transfered all parts and wiring to the new operating platform, i even did a new diode since i had it all apart! Your videos gave me the confidence to attempt it!! Its working perfectly now! New cord, rollers, diode, circit breaker, operating platform, it should go for another 80 years! Thanks! 😊
Thanks Peter. I appreciate the response. After working on the transformer last winter, I also completely disassembled the tender and cleaned everything up, on the whistle unit including the brushes, etc. The whistle is very responsive and it does seem that the frequency of random chirps has gone down quite a bit. Happy Holidays!!
Peter- Great video I am almost finished. I have a different (older) style circuit breaker. Before I finish assembly, how can I determine if it is working?
Thank you for the comment, ROBERT. You might as well go ahead and install your circuit breaker and then test it once it’s installed. The simple way is to create a short circuit by putting a screwdriver across the tracks and see whether the red light lights up, indicating that the circle breaker has done its job. You might also take notice of how much time passes between creating the short circuit and the break of the circuit. Assuming the circuit breaker responds appropriately within few moments, you are done. If not, you might consider a different breaker. Without more detail, this is the best I can offer at the moment. Please let me know how you fare. Merry Christmas!
Peter, Your video gave me the confidence to open my KW transformer. I didn't see anything unusual. I tested the Xformer by taking just the power section of FastTrack and use the search light car to test the circuit. With car off the track the voltages at all posts were normal and both circuits voltages tracked with throttle position. I placed the car on the track and got the short light. However, there was reduced voltage to the track, just enough power to give a dim light on the car. I place a jumper around the breaker and the voltage came to normal, bright light on the car and the short light was off. Does this indicate a bad breaker and why doesn't it kill all power when it indicates a short? Or is something else going on? I looks like two heavy black wires on one breaker terminal with woven sheath that goes down (I couldn't see where}. Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!
Thank you for the message, Michael. It usually takes several seconds for the circuit breaker to kick in on a KW. It sounds like your situation has an immediate rather than a delayed response. Let us eliminate the possibility that it is the spotlight car that is the source of the problem. Remove the spotlight car and put a load on the system by running a locomotive. If the locomotive runs without a problem, we should take a look at the spotlight car. If the current is shorted by running the locomotive, then the problem is within the transformer and replacing the circuit breaker would be a good idea. Always replace the wires attending the circuit breaker when making that change. Broken wires and faulty. Insulation can also be culprits. Please write back and let me know how things work out.
@@peterfenzel4742 You have been much help. It was the breaker. However, the one in your video is not available and no cross reference. I called Buss customer service, and they had no reference, I got one from an auto parts store for $5, but was for 10 amps, but works great. Thanks for saving me $$$.
Thanks for the video! I have one of these since the mid 50's. It has developed an issue. Anytime a load is applied, no matter how low, the Short Light comes on and brightens as more throttled is applied. Happens on both A and B. It has been working fine for 2 days after setting up for Christmas, then developed this with no warning. It was serviced about 7 years ago. Thanks for any Ideas.
Thank you for the comment, Eugene. Either you have a short or you do not. Check for shorts on the tracks and with the wiring. If all the wiring is in good shape, and you do not have a short circuit on your layout, then the problem would probably be with the circuit breaker. Replacing a circuit breaker is very easy. There are 3 wires: 1. the rectangular wire from the core to the breaker; 2. the lamp resistor wire that goes from the breaker to the lamp (wire #1 on the wiring schematic ); and 3. the black wire that goes back from the other post of the breaker to the C post. You can use a replacement thermal breaker, the base of which you can attach to the underside of the operating platform with a silicone adhesive, or you can order an aftermarket replacement of the circuit breaker (part #20-22). Please let me know the result. Merry Christmas!
Enjoyed hearing about the variety of model trains, and how they have enriched so many young lives. It was interesting to hear about a father who taught his young son so many skills, carpentry, electronics and decorating, using the model train. Nice to hear "In Their Own Words" such enthusiasm about the Model Train Hobby!
Thank you for this brief, but hugely enjoyable broadcast. I loved the man whose son grew up to become a civil engineer through learning basic skills with their layout. That's part of the hobby's beauty - learning life skills. And there are so many different strands and approaches, almost as many as there are individual enthusiasts, that there really is something for everyone. Christmas Tree layouts aren't so well known in Britain, but Thomas is possibly one of our greatest contributions to world culture and sanity - after the real things of course!
There's a dig in the Heiltsuk territory that proves that we Indigenous people's have been around Turtle island than your western narrative, try 15000 and counting. I am Heiltsuk, Nu7lhalk and Zuni, my late moms told me that many many years ago that a number of our Nu7lhalk people moved south for a number of years and then just as suddenly as they moved south, they moved back to Nu7lhalk territory, and that's why I have Zuni blood.
Thanks for a great comment, George! Northern peoples during the ice age crossed into and settled in British Columbia and Alaska long before the southerly migrations through openings in receding glaciers. These melts coincided with genetic variations, which together help to date more southerly migrations into the Southwest.
Fun to hear of the Pueblo people. their engineering skills and the way they survived, hunting and growing crops in the high heat! They were industrious to survive in challenging situations! As Americans we need to take pride in those who came before us and emulate their courage and resilience. It's enriching to hear the stories of the puebloans, sinagua, hohokam and pueblogrande.
What a pity more isn’t taught in our classrooms about these ancient people, our ancestors and predecessors who were highly intelligent, building “castles”, apartments and single family homes where temperatures go up over 100 degree. They created water systems to sustain them! Thanks, Pete, for sharing their story. It is truly Amazing!
Thanks, Pete, for your description of the 1st amendment.I love the setting too - The Supreme Court Building is magnificent! We don’t appreciate what we have enough. The first amendment is soooo important. You explained it very well. Thank you!
