Hello

I have the 278A transformer controller but I dont know about this.


What year is it,what VA output?

comment would help.

It must be from before 1961.

Hi Stephen,

I have also an old 278A on my layout. It looks a little different from yours (no cooling holes).

Output power is 16 VA (1 A at 16 V), and it has a power output for the tracks (red and brown), and a 16 V output (yellow). Works still fine, only problem is that the track voltage starts with 8 V when you turn the button to the right. That's o.k. for older loks with SFCM motor, but the newer HP and Faulhaber driven ones all start running with almost 80 or 100 km/h. To switch direction press down the long button handle. Somewhat unusual, but it is nothing wrong with that thing. I used it for turnout and signal lights. The 278A has certainly enough power reserves to be used with a MS. 1.2 amps at 16 V should work.

My father bought it with a starter set in 1958 or 59.

Hans Martin

Hey, That's just like mine.

I thought I was the last person in the world to actually be using one of those transformers.

One thing to be careful of. You can press down to reverse with the train going at high speed.[:0]. Has been known to produce interesting results.[:I]

Also, I had to replace the mains cord on mine as the old rubber insulation was cracking.[xx(]

Ray

Yeah,

connecting to mains is a little adventurous. The plug does not really hold in modern mains connectors. I have always to fix it with a rubber band.

Hans Martin

Hi MärCo,

Of course, safety first, that's true!

However, my layout is like "Baikonour Space center". Everything is 40 years old and therefore works with "old reliable" technology (in contrast to "new modern" one). I guess also in Baikonour they would not get up with their rockets without those fabulous rubber bands...

Hans Martin