Lionel Question

Tom wrote: Lionel LW transformer,what is term U only 1 not marked

---------------------------------------------------------- "U" is the ground terminal. Find out more about Lionel transformers at:

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Bill Bill's Railroad Empire

Actually, that is not always true. On Lionel "Multi-Control" transformers (i.e. those with built-in whistle and reverse controls) with multiple variable voltage outputs (the KW, SW, VW, and ZW) the "U" terminal is the terminal to use as the ground, connected to the outer rails of the track. The "A" terminal and "B" (on the KW) or "D" (on the VW and ZW) are the outputs fed through the whistle and reverse controls, and should be connected to the center rail for controlling the trains. The other terminals can be used in conjunction with the "U" to obtain appropriate uninterrupted voltage for accessories, lights, O-22 switch fixed voltage plugs, etc. But on most "Multi-Control" transformers with a single variable voltage circuit (the 1033, 1044, LW, RW, S, and TW) it is the "U" terminal output that is fed through the whistle and reverse controls, and therefore should be connected to the center rail for controlling the trains. On these transformers, it is best to use the "A" terminal as the ground. The other terminals ("B" or "C", etc.) can be used in conjunction with the "A" to obtain appropriate uninterrupted voltage for accessories, lights, O-22 switch fixed voltage plugs, etc. Geezer

Geezer replied:

Actually, that is not always true. ***

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for the correction, Geezer. I'm still learning, as you can see.

Bill Bill's Railroad Empire