Lionel CW-80 Transformer User manual

71-4198-250
6/08
Lionel
CW-80 Transformer
Owner’s Manual
CAUTION—ELECTRIC TOY
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER EIGHT YEARS OF AGE. AS WITH
ALL ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE OBSERVED DURING
HANDLING AND USE TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK.
TRANSFORMER RATINGS—INPUT: 120 VAC; 60 HZ ONLY.
AC OUTPUT: 18 V; 80 VA

Congratulations!
2
Congratulations on your purchase of the Lionel CW-80 Transformer! This device combines a high output control unit and an internal power supply, providing your railroad with
80 watts and five amps of alternating current. With a variable accessory voltage, the CW-80
Transformer features the precision control you demand!
Read this manual thoroughly before using your Transformer. It has important information
on the setup and operation of this product. If you have any questions after reviewing these
instructions, contact Lionel Customer Service at 586-949-4100.
The following Lionel marks may be used throughout this instruction manual and are protected under law. All
rights reserved.
Lionel®, TrainMaster®, Odyssey®, RailSounds®, CrewTalk™, TowerCom™, DynaChuff™,
StationSounds™, Pullmor®, ElectroCoupler™, Magne-Traction®, CAB-1®Remote Controller,
PowerMaster®, Lionel ZW®, ZW®, PowerHouse®, TMCC®, Lionelville™, Lockon®, Wireless Tether™,
LionMaster®, FatBoy™, American Flyer®, TrainSounds™, PowerMax™, LEGACY™, PowerMax™Plus
The name FasTrack®is used with permission from Pitsco, Inc.
FCC Statement
Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly aproved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user authority to operate the equipment.
Notes: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is not guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined
by turning the equipement off and on, the user is encouraged to trip to correct the interference by one
or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Table of contents
Operating your CW-80 Transformer safely 4
Wiring your CW-80 Transformer 5-6
Connecting the FasTrack terminal section 7
Operating your trains with the CW-80 Transformer 8
Experiencing the features of the CW-80 Transformer 8-9
Setting the accessory output 10
Powering your layout with the CW-80 Transformer 11
Troubleshooting 11
Limited Warranty/Lionel Service 12
3

Operating your CW-80 Transformer safely
4
Your Lionel CW-80 Transformer is listed by Underwriter’s Laboratory Inc. and has been carefully designed to ensure peak performance. When using electrical products, basic
safety precautions should be maintained.
Be sure to observe the following guidelines:
• Read the manual thoroughly before using this device.
• This device is not recommended for children under eight years of age.
• Parents should periodically inspect this product for potential hazards and, if necessary,
have them repaired by an authorized Lionel Service Center. In the event that such a
condition exists, the transformer should not be used until it has been properly repaired.
• The CW-80 Transformer is intended to be used indoors. Do not use this device if water is
present. Serious or fatal injuries may result.
• Use the CW-80 Transformer only for its intended purpose.
• The CW-80 Transformer was designed to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. Do not
connect this product to any other power supply.
• Do not operate the CW-80 Transformer with a damaged cord, plug, or case.
• To avoid the risk of electrical shock, do not disassemble the unit. There are no user
serviceable parts inside. If damaged, take this product to an authorized Lionel Service
Center. A list of authorized Service Centers is packed with this unit.
• Do not operate the CW-80 Transformer on your layout unattended. Obstructed accessories
or stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
• Always unplug the CW-80 Transformer from the power source when not in use.
• Never insert objects into the ventilation slots on this product. Damage to sensitive
electronic components can result.

Wiring your CW-80 Transformer
5
For best performance on large layouts, it is recommended that you use 16-gauge wire to connect your CW-80 Transformer to the track. Use the stripped ends of the wires, or spade-
shaped connectors on all CW-80 Transformer connections, with no more than two wires on each
terminal. Terminal strips (available at your local electronics supply store) allow you to connect
multiple wires to evenly distribute power to your layout.
Make sure that all connections are secure. Loose connections can produce extremely high
temperatures. For this reason, do not touch the terminals or track connections during use.
Also, do not locate scenery materials such as lichen or ground foam near the terminals.
To prevent the excessive build up of heat, be sure to select the proper wire gauge
for your layout. Follow these guidelines:
• Track connections (or Lockon connections) must be made with 18-gauge wire
or heavier. Larger layouts require a minimum of 16-gauge wire.
• Use 24-gauge wire only when connecting single accessories that require lower
current.
• When wiring multiple accessories (two or more) or accessories that require
higher current, be sure to use 18- to 16-gauge wire.
1. Attach a Lionel Lockon to your track.
As illustrated in Figure 1, slide the bottom edge of the outside rail into the metal lip on the
Lockon. Press the clip at the end of the Lockon over the bottom edge of the inside rail.
2
1
LIONEL
CTC
LOCKON
Figure 1. Lockon attachment
Caution!

Wiring your CW-80 Transformer (continued)
6
2. Attach one wire to the Lockon spring clip terminal labeled “1” and connect
it to the power terminal labeled “A”. All Controller connections are
illustrated in Figure 2.
To attach the wire to the Lockon, press down on the top of the terminal clip so that a metal
loop is formed. Slide the bare end of the wire into the exposed loop. Release pressure on the
terminal clip, allowing the crimped metal to pinch the end of the wire in the metal loop.
Give a little tug on the wire to check if the hold is secure.
To attach the wire to the Transformer terminal, loosen the thumbscrew to expose the
hole in the terminal shaft, then insert the bare end of the wire into the hole. Tighten the
thumbscrew, making sure that the bare wire is in contact with the terminal shaft.
3. Attach a second wire to the Lockon spring clip terminal labeled “2” and
connect it to the power terminal labeled “U”.
4. Attach a third wire to the Transformer terminal labeled “B” and connect it
to your accessories.
5. Attach a final wire from your accessories to the Transformer terminal
labeled “U”.
6. Plug the CW-80 Transformer into your wall outlet (120 volts).
120V/60Hz
0~18VAC
U
A
U
AB
U
0~18VAC
TRACK ACCESSORY
Programmable voltage to
accessories/switches
Figure 2. Controller connections
0-18 VAC
Programmable output
0-18 VAC
Variable voltage
to track

7
Connecting the FasTrack terminal section
U
120/60z
0~18VAC
AB
U
0~18VAC
TRACK ACCESSORY
Figure 3. Transformer connections
FasTrack terminal section
Notch
Spade-shaped
connector
If you are using the Lionel FasTrack track system, you will find that the terminal section easily connects to the transformer’s TRACK posts. Two wires are attached to the underside
of the FasTrack terminal section (available separately, 6-12016). Attach the spade-shaped
connectors at the ends of these wires to the CW-80 Transformer. Be sure that the connections
are secure. Follow these steps and refer to Figure 3.
If you are connecting the Transformer to your layout with any other type of wire,
refer to the guidelines on page 4.
1. Feed the wires through the notch in the FasTrack terminal section. Refer to
Figure 3.
2. Loosen the red TRACK thumbscrew terminal, then slide the spade-shaped
connector with the red insulation at the end of the black wire with white
tracer into position. The thumbscrew post should be positioned between the “blades”
of the spade connector. Tighten the thumbscrew to secure the connection.
3. Loosen the black TRACK thumbscrew terminal, then slide the spade-
shaped connector with the black insulation at the end of the BLACK wire
into position. Tighten the thumbscrew to secure the connection.
4. If you need to power an accessory, connect the accessory to the
ACCESSORY thumbscrew terminals.
5. Plug the CW-80 Transformer into your wall outlet (120 volts).
Caution!

Operating your trains with the CW-80 Transformer
8
You’re clear for departure! Move the throttle control handle forward to increase power to the track. The farther forward you push the handle, the faster your train will go.
Quickly shutting off or throwing the throttle all the way forward will not result in
an instant change in track voltage.
When operating in the conventional (non-Command) environment, remember that the
greater the load on the engine (adding more cars for the engine to pull, for example), the
farther forward the handle must be pushed before it will operate the locomotive.
Experiencing the features of the CW-80 Transformer
Refer to Figure 4 on page 8 for the location of the Transformer features listed in this section.
THROTTLE
Push the throttle forward to increase track power. The markings on the throttle
approximate the percentage of full power. For more realism, push the throttle slowly to
gradually increase or decrease the speed of the locomotive. Slowing or stopping the locomotive
with the throttle instead of the DIRECTION button will allow you to continue in the same
direction when you increase the throttle again. To achieve this effect, reduce the throttle to the
point that the locomotive stops moving, don’t completely turn off the throttle. That way, your
train won’t sequence into neutral.
POWER-ON INDICATOR
The green light will remain on during normal operation. The green light will begin to
flash if you exceed the power limit of the Transformer. The unit will allow you to momentarily
exceed the power limit, but power will be gradually reduced until the problem is corrected.
This safety feature replaces the circuit breaker. The benefit is that the Transformer will not
instantly turn off.
DIRECTION
The DIRECTION control button interrupts track power to activate the reverse unit in
locomotives with forward-neutral-reverse operation. This button has no effect on locomotives
not equipped with reverse units or on locomotives with the reverse unit in the OFF position.
When the DIRECTION button is presssed, track power is interrupted instantaneously.
Track power is restored gradually when the DIRECTION button is released.
WHISTLE/HORN
The WHISTLE/HORN button will activate Lionel sound-equipped locomotives, including
those equipped with the RailSounds sound system. The sound will continue until the button is
released. No external sound activation buttons are needed.
Note!
Note!

Experiencing the features of the CW-80 Transformer (continued)
9
Whistle/Horn
Activates the whistle or horn sound
effect in your Lionel locomotives. Press
WHISTLE/HORN to begin the sound;
release the button to end it.
Bell
Starts or stops the tolling bell in any
Railsounds-equipped locomotive.
Press BELL to begin the sound,
again to stop it.
Direction
Press the DIRECTION button to go forward
or reverse, or to place the locomotive in
“neutral” (no movement, headlight is on).
Throttle
Controls your locomotive’s speed. Throw the
throttle forward to increase locomotive speed,
backward to slow it down.
Power-on indicator
The green light
illuminates when the
CW-80 is on.
Figure 4. Transformer features
BELL
The BELL button will activate all RailSounds bells. Press and hold the BELL button for two
to three seconds to begin the sounds; press and hold the button again to turn off the ringing.
Do not activate horns, whistles, or bells on RailSounds-equipped locomotives until
track power has been turned on for a few moments, or a continuous horn/whistle
or bell sound may occur. To correct this problem, simply turn off the CW-80
Transformer, then turn it back on.
The CW-80 Transformer may cause random whistles in the Lionel Mighty Sounds of
Steam™ tenders with a three-pin connector. We recommend that you a purchase a
RailSounds-equipped tender to solve this problem.
Note!
Note!

Take control of your Lionel empire with your CW-80 Transformer! You choose how much power your accessories need. Your CW-80 Transformer features a programmable accessory
output. The ability to control the voltage allows you to set the speed of your accessory motors
and the intensity of your lights. Follow these steps to set the voltage.
The accessory voltage was set to 12 volts at the factory.
1. Bring the throttle all the way back to turn off the power.
2. Press and hold down the DIRECTION, WHISTLE/HORN, and BELL buttons
on the Controller. Refer to Figure 4 for the location of these buttons.
The green light on the Transformer will flash and track power will turn off.
3. With all three buttons held down, raise the throttle slowly until you reach
your desired accessory voltage.
4. Release the buttons once you have reached your desired voltage.
The accessory turns off, and the solid green light indicates that you have set the accessory
voltage.
5. Bring the throttle all the way back to turn off the power.
The voltage will momentarily increase, briefly causing the lights to shine brighter or the
motors to operate faster, before returning to the set level.
At this point, increasing the throttle again will control track power.
Setting the accessory output
10
Note!