180 BRICKS and PW ZW

Must be a modern ZW-C or ZW-L, if this is the case.  No way to safely and easily connect a ZW to current modern modular Powerhouses (180 watt "bricks").  Perhaps he uses the postwar ZW for lighting and accessories, and connects the Powerhouses to the track separately?

Is it possible he was using a ZW-C (looks a lot like the PW ZWs but is only a controller and gets raw power from the bricks)?

http://www.lionel.com/products...-supply-set-6-32930/

If it's not the ZW-C maybe you could include a link to the video.

https://youtu.be/lSN38DKdcDA

@pdxtrains posted:

https://youtu.be/lSN38DKdcDA

He's using a ZW-C  which he calls a ZW-L. It's not a ZW-L but a ZW-C.

In the video Gary say's that it's a ZWL, but it looks like a ZW-C.  The ZWL has meters build into the top of the housing.  The most obvious difference between the tops of the PW ZW and the ZW-C is the Lionel badge.  The ZW-C has a circular black ring around it and a rivet in the center.  The PW ZW has neither.

@SteveH posted:

In the video Gary say's that it's a ZWL, but it looks like a ZW-C.  The ZWL has meters build into the top of the housing.  The most obvious difference between the tops of the PW ZW and the ZW-C is the Lionel badge.  The ZW-C has a circular black ring around it and a rivet in the center.  The PW ZW has neither.

Thank you. Is the ZW-C a modern transformer?

Edit to add:

I think this is it  http://www.lionel.com/products...-supply-set-6-32930/

It looks like it's not made anymore--they've gone to the ZW-L.

@feet posted:

He's using a ZW-C  which he calls a ZW-L. It's not a ZW-L but a ZW-C.

Thank you. When I didn't see the voltage dials i thought it was post war, not knowing about the ZW C. I guess they stopped making the C and went to the L. So, it's basically Lionel's version of the brick and controller system MTH used.

I wish they still made it. I like the idea of the 180 bricks that could be replaced rather than an $800 transformer with everything built in.

Thanks for your help.

Gilbert, the ZWL is the current Lionel flagship transformer.  I don't have access to one, but my understanding from reading other posts here on the forum that it's over current protection is faster that the PW ZW but this really only protects the transformer itself.  Regardless of what transformer one chooses, transient voltage spike arrestors (TVS) on the layout help protect the electronics in modern locos that happen when a derailment occurs.

I use two PW ZWs with auxiliary protection.  Much less expensive than the ZWLs.  But I appreciate that others prefer the new controllers.

@pdxtrains posted:

Thank you. When I didn't see the voltage dials i thought it was post war, not knowing about the ZW C. I guess they stopped making the C and went to the L. So, it's basically Lionel's version of the brick and controller system MTH used.

I wish they still made it. I like the idea of the 180 bricks that could be replaced rather than an $800 transformer with everything built in.

Thanks for your help.

Yes, the ZW-C was replaced by the ZW-L.  I wish they still made the ZW-C.

Thank you, all.

for anyone familiar with Gary's set up, the ZW-C with bricks, am I correct that the bricks plug into the back of the ZW, and then you use the posts to run standard wire connections to the track? If so, that's ideal for me, since I run loops and no command systems.

There are a few used CWs on the bay for a reasonable price. I may look into that, which would solve my needs.

@pdxtrains posted:

am I correct that the bricks plug into the back of the ZW - C, and then you use the posts to run standard wire connections to the track?

Yes the ZW-C connects as you've described.  To anyone reading just the Topic header, not the PW ZW.

@SteveH posted:

Yes the ZW-C connects as you've described.  To anyone reading just the Topic header, not the PW ZW.

Thank you Steve! What I like about the ZW -C is the bricks and controller separate from each other, as opposed to the ZW-L where everything is together.

Many thanks

Thom