Lionel PowerMax Transformer User manual

71-4275-250
6/06
Lionel
owerMax Transformer
Owner’s Manual
CAUTION—ELECT IC TOY
NOT ECOMMENDED FO CHILD EN UNDE EIGHT YEA S OF AGE. AS WITH
ALL ELECT IC P ODUCTS, P ECAUTIONS SHOULD BE OBSE VED DU ING
HANDLING AND USE TO P EVENT ELECT IC SHOCK.
TRANSFORMER RATINGS—INPUT: 120 VAC; 60 HZ ONLY.
AC OUTPUT: 18 V; 30 VA

Congratulations!
2
Congratulations on your purchase of the ionel PowerMax Transformer! This device combines a high output control unit and an internal power supply, providing your
railroad with all the power you need for a small- to medium-sized layout.
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 ionel Customer Service at 586-949-4100.
Table of contents
Operating your PowerMax Transformer safely 3
Installing your PowerMax Transformer 3
Wiring your PowerMax Transformer 4-5
Connecting the FasTrack terminal section 6
Operating your trains with the PowerMax Transformer 7
Experiencing the features of the PowerMax Transformer 7-8
Powering your layout with the PowerMax Transformer 9
Troubleshooting 10
Notes 11
imited Warranty/ ionel Service 12
The following ionel marks may be used throughout this instruction manual and are protected under
law. All rights reserved.
Lione ®, TrainMaster®, Odyssey®, Rai Sounds®, CrewTa k™, TowerCom™, DynaChuff™,
StationSounds™, Pu mor®, E ectroCoup er™, Magne-Traction®, CAB-1®Remote Contro er,
PowerMaster®, Lione ZW®, ZW®, PowerHouse®, TMCC®, Lione vi e™, Lockon®, Wire ess Tether™,
LionMaster®, FatBoy™, American F yer®, TrainSounds™, PowerMax™
The name FasTrack®is used with permission from Pitsco, Inc.

Operating your owerMax Transformer safely
3
Your ionel PowerMax Transformer is listed by Underwriter’s aboratory 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 ionel Service Center. In the event that such a
condition exists, the transformer should not be used until it has been properly repaired.
• The PowerMax Transformer is intended to be used indoors. Do not use this device if water
is present. Serious or fatal injuries may result.
• Use the PowerMax Transformer only for its intended purpose.
• The PowerMax 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 PowerMax 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 ionel Service
Center. A list of authorized Service Centers is packed with this unit.
• Do not operate the PowerMax Transformer on your layout unattended. Obstructed
accessories or stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
• Always unplug the PowerMax 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.
Installing your owerMax Transformer
To mount your PowerMax Transformer to your layout or control panel, drive a screw through each of the four mounting holes located at the corners of the base.

Wiring your owerMax Transformer
4
For best performance on large layouts, it is recommended that you use 16-gauge wire to connect your PowerMax Transformer to the track. Use the stripped ends of the wires, or
spade-shaped connectors on all PowerMax 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. oose 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 ockon connections) must be made with 18-gauge wire
or heavier. arger layouts require a minimum of 16-gauge wire.
1. Attac 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
ockon. Press the clip at the end of the ockon over the bottom edge of the inside rail.
2
1
LIONEL
CTC
LOCKON
Figure 1. ockon attachment
Caution!

Wiring your owerMax Transformer (continued)
5
2. Attac one wire to t e Lockon spring clip terminal labeled “1” and connect
it to t e power terminal labeled “A”. All Controller connections are
illustrated in Figure 2.
To attach the wire to the ockon, 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. Attac a second wire to t e Lockon spring clip terminal labeled “2” and
connect it to t e power terminal labeled “U”.
4. Plug t e PowerMax Transformer into your wall outlet (120 volts).
U
A
0~18VAC
TRACK
Figure 2. Controller connections
0-18 VAC
Variable voltage
to track

6
Connecting the FasTrack terminal section
U
120/60z
A
0~18VAC

TRACK
Figure 3. Transformer connections
FasTrack terminal section
Notch
Spade-shaped
connector
If you are using the ionel 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 PowerMax 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 t e wires t roug t e notc in t e FasTrack terminal section. Refer to
Figure 3.
2. Loosen t e red TRACK t umbscrew terminal, t en slide t e spade-s aped
connector at t e end of t e RED wire into position. The thumbscrew post
should be positioned between the “blades” of the spade connector. Tighten the thumbscrew
to secure the connection.
3. Loosen t e black TRACK t umbscrew terminal, t en slide t e spade-
s aped connector at t e end of t e BLACK wire into position. Tighten the
thumbscrew to secure the connection.
4. Plug t e PowerMax Transformer into your wall outlet (120 volts).
Caution!

Operating your trains with the owerMax Transformer
7
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 owerMax 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 WHIST E/HORN button will activate ionel 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 owerMax Transformer (continued)
8
Whistle/Horn
Activates the whistle or horn sound
effect in your Lionel locomotives. Press
WHISTLE/HO N to begin the sound;
release the button to end it.
Bell
Starts or stops the tolling bell in any
ailsounds-equipped locomotive.
Press BELL to begin the sound,
again to stop it.
Direction
Press the DI ECTION 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.
ower-on indicator
The green light
illuminates when the
PowerMax is on.
Figure 4. Transformer features
BELL
The BE button will activate all RailSounds bells. Press the BE button to begin the
sounds; press 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 PowerMax
Transformer, then turn it back on.
The PowerMax Transformer may cause random whistles in the ionel Mighty
Sounds of SteamTM tenders with a three-pin connector. We recommend that you a
purchase a RailSounds-equipped tender to solve this problem.
Note!
Note!

owering your layout with the owerMax Transformer
9
Your PowerMax Transformer provides a total output of 1.8 amps. Also, available voltage depends on how much load is on the output. Generally, track voltage is 0-16 volts (AC).
You may momentarily approach or exceed the 1.8 amp limit of the PowerMax Transformer
when pulling illuminated cars, or fighting over grades with heavy loads. When you reach 1.8
amps, the green light on the Transformer will begin to flash. This indicates that the
Transformer is in “fold-back mode.” In fold-back mode, the Transformer is automatically
reducing, or folding back, power. This gradual reduction in power provides interruption-free
power while bringing the amperage back down to a safe level. If this condition lasts for more
than 30 seconds, the transformer will shut off the power to the track and the green light wil
continue to flash. Move the throttle to the off position to reset the Transformer and return to
normal operation.

Troubleshooting
10
No lights or operation
Be sure PowerMax Transformer is plugged in.
Train runs, but WHISTLE/HORN, BELL, and DIRECTION buttons do not work
Check track connections. The track must be connected to the “A” and “U” terminals on the
Transformer.
No change when DIRECTION button is pressed
Be sure that your locomotive reverse unit switch is ON.
Loco otive runs slowly or lights di at the far end of the track
On larger layouts, additional track resistance may cause a voltage drop. Attach additional
ockons to the remote portion of your track.
Green light begins to flash
The power limit of the Transformer has been exceeded. The unit will gradually reduce power
until the problem is corrected.
Bell button blows whistle
Switch the wire connections at the ockon or Transformer Terminals. Be sure that the U post is
connected to the outside rail and the A post is connected to the inside rail.
Green light flashing , no power to the track
The Transformer has shutdown because the power limit was exceeded for more than 30
seconds. Move the throttle to the OFF position to reset the Transformer and return to normal
operation.