A Lionel Postwar KW question

My opinion, which may be unpopular, is that the transformer should be put right, or not used. Parts are available, or a donor transformer could be found.

I had a ZW come to me not all that long ago. The return spring for the whistle control snapped, and the owner left the switch in an odd position that caused a short inside the transformer that was not protected by the internal circuit breaker. In this case, lots of heat and smoke was generated, but no permanent damage was done. (I guess it was unplugged quickly enough) A freak occurrence to be certain, but it illustrates what can happen when things aren't 100 percent.

I am assuming the tab you are referring to is the nub cast into the plastic has broken off.  You can repair that if you drill a hole to screw in a #6 self tap screw right where the nub has broken off and use the screw head as the stop. Be sure to check alignment of the spring and whistle switch handle so both sides center correctly. I have fixed many KW's this way.

 If you don't want to fix that, leaving the disc out won't have any effect on track power, as long as the whistle handle is not used.

 The only way you can check the breaker is short out posts d-u and see if the breaker pops open after about 4-5 seconds. Many KW's have a blade type circuit breaker that deteriorates and opens way to soon or not at all. If there is any question on the breaker, replace it with a modern replacement, they work better than the original type.

Here you go.
http://www.tranz4mr.com/KW_Whistle_Diodes.html

If the switch stop is cracked off
http://www.tranz4mr.com/KW_Re-Build.html

I am Polish and German, and sometimes my Polish side takes charge, I should have thought of using a screw... If I can fix that, I have replacement disks.. I just need the handfull of parts...

 

I have been using a piece of 12 gauge wire to short out the posts to see if the breaker trips. I didn't know if there was a better way that others might use.

 

thanks for the nudge!... I will get to work on the screw repair.

 

Bill