Lionel ZW - 6-32930 w/ 2 180 watt bricks - PROBLEM

Do you have TMCC or Legacy powered up anywhere in your house? I'm asking because at my house, even when far, far, far away from my train layout at my workbench, just using a Z1000 and alligator clips to test engines- they still receive the Legacy signal.

Sounds like it may be trying to decide which mode to be in on power up.

Thanks.  I'm running Legacy, but I'm not sure if I understand where you're going with that. 

When I move the ZW handles forward, no power gets applied to the track.  That's the issue I'm having.  Legacy works great with it.

You know that unit required an upgrade chip to be compatible with Legacy right? And those chips with updated firmware are and have been no longer available?

https://ogrforum.com/...11#81678117778953811

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

There was an upgrade PROM for the ZW-C to correct issues with Legacy operation.  I don't know if it's available any longer, but that's one issue you may run across.

https://ogrforum.com/...ade-issue-for-legacy

Again, in that topic

@MartyE posted:

I found this when Legacy came out as I'm sure others. My layout would shut down with no rhyme or reason. Working with JonZ, he and his team found the solution. The only symptom I found was the random layout halting as well as sometimes I couldn't even get the layout to power up. The new firmware solved all of my issues.

For the record, my first experience ever with a ZW-C type transformer was with the local club at a show. One member had setup the modular layout using their personal ZW-C. I had recently gotten my Legacy 990 set and brought it to run my Legacy trains. Not knowing, we kept having similar issues with the ZW-C if the Legacy was on before the ZW-C was powered (they both were on a common power strip from the wall). I ended up bringing in a Z4000 transformer and wired that up for that show. Later on, I learned of the Legacy and ZW-C known problem.

I would try connecting it to a simple test track with no Legacy connection and the Legacy base turned off and see if it works correctly.

@Vernon Barry posted:

Again, in that topic

Thanks, Vernon!  Yes, sounds like my issue!

However, I did perform this awhile ago:

I'm wondering if something changed that when I had the base updated to the most recent update a few months ago.

This seems to be the topic of the week, 180 watt bricks, ZW-Cs. I've lost count but again, in just a few days, everyone got these out and all the same old problems kick up. Edit- not blaming anyone- just an observation.

Yes, heard back from Lionel..."Due to the age of that product and that the ZW-L has been out for many years now, we are no longer offering the ZW-C repair fix."

I know what some/a lot will say..."Are you still running the same laptop you had in 2004?"  I am not, but I still use an old laptop for CD burning and a few other things.  They work.  So much for a lifetime of happiness!

@Larry Mullen posted:

"Due to the age of that product and that the ZW-L has been out for many years now, we are no longer offering the ZW-C repair fix."

After reading through the various OGR threads over the years on this issue it seems to me that they've forgotten how to do it, probably because the person who new what to do to burn the updated chip that is needed is no longer working there.

Their reply is a classic case of a roundabout way of dealing with this loss.

Mike