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Found Solution? to "BIG PROBLEM"....Help / Using LEGACY w/ ZWC

FredstrainsFredstrainsOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I recently moved into a NEW Place. Moved my Layout about 90 miles. Haven't put it up yet, but decided to Test out all the Control Equipment before I do. Set up a test Track on the Carpet using 072 FastTrack. I'm using the same ZWC w/Bricks I was using at my old location. I set the "A" Handle on the ZWC to MAX and then bring up the Voltage to 18V with my CAB2. ( I have the Meter Attachment on my ZWC ) NO Problem! But when I hit my AUX 1, 0 to shut it down, it drops down to a fraction of a volt. Just enough leaking thru to the Track to cause the Marker Lights on my Legacy GP30 to flicker! in addition to that, the Voltage Reading on my meter is jumping all around from 5 to 10 Volts, even though all that's getting to the track is a fraction of a Volt. (Again just enough to make the Marker Lights flicker on the Engine). I changed over to TMCC Only, and everything works great!!When I hit the AUX 1,0 on the CAB1 to shut it down the reading on the Meter drops to "0" Immediately. NO Voltage to the Track. At that point I removed the Jumper from the TMCC Base (to the U terminal on the ZWC), and I get the Crazy readings on the Meter and the Flickering of the Marker Lights starts again) . I have ZEROED out the ZWC numerous times, but no change!! Any idea's ????

Fred (Fredstrains)

 

 

Last edited by Fredstrains
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G grazOGR Forum Member

Yes

the original zwc misinterprets a certain command from the legacy system as a shutdown command.

i ran into it with mine a few years ago and had to get a replacement board from Lionel. I don’t think that they still carry them however.

I believe they were offering a discounted price on the zw-l for those in your situation.

 

chris achris aOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Also, according to Mike Reagan on the Lionel video, while he couldn't quantify an exact number of units with this issue, he indicated that it was NOT A widespread issue.  I purchased a used ZW-C last winter and my Cab 2, Legacy base and TMCC base work with it perfectly.   When I checked the Lionel parts inventory a couple of weeks ago they still had the chip available for a reasonable price. 

FredstrainsFredstrainsOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

REPLY is for all following this POST!.................... Contacted Mike Reagan regarding this problem. He thinks it is probably the Problem he stated sometime back on the Lionel U Tube Presentation. This Processor problem all started when the Legacy System was introduced. It causes all kinds of Weird Problems because of some interaction between the Legacy Base and the ZWC!! Even though the Replacement Microprocessor is not available anymore, I should contact Dean , (Lionel service) ! Maybe Lionel could make up a couple for me!! (I have TWO ZWC's). Dean said he would be glad to help me out except part of the Programming Equip. was lost on the move from OHIO! If and when they found it, would be glad to help me out!!  You can't ask for more than that!!! THANK YOU LIONEL!!!

Fred (Fredstrains)

 

Pine Creek RailroadPine Creek RailroadOGR Forum Member

George,

   Hay that looks like one of my Grandmothers's sisters, at Christmas time.  You are out of luck, we do not shoot family members in our mountains.

Fred,

   I would allow a 17" x 14" base print and 12" height spacing to accommodate your over all foot print.  In fact putting it on a wheeled cart might be a real good idea.

PCRR/Dave

 

Last edited by Pine Creek Railroad
George SGeorge SOGR Forum Member
Pine Creek Railroad posted:

George,

   Hay that looks like one of my Grandmothers's sisters, at Christmas time.  You are out of luck, we do not shoot family members in our mountains.

Fred,

   I would allow a 17" x 14" base print and 12" height spacing to accommodate your over all foot print.  In fact putting it on a wheeled cart might be a real good idea.

PCRR/Dave

 

FredstrainsFredstrainsOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Well I decided to bite the bullet ! I sold my ZWC (with attached Amp/Voltmeter) to a buddy who runs only Conventional, who is very happy with it! Purchased a New ZWL from CRo (who had them on sale) for a pretty good price! It is everything I had hoped for! It works beautifully with my setup! No more glitches with Legacy! And it arrived here without a scratch (it weighs 29lbs). If anyone needs any parts for a ZWC, I have one (with a spent PC Board) I will sell at a good price)!

E-mail Address in my Profile!!

Fred

 

B BobbyDOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Gentlemen,

   This is just anther reason to eliminate the ZW-C with those nasty Bricks.

Just kidding guys, put the gun down.

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

We went with a ZW-C because of the bricks power capacity. In looking at replacing it we were told Lionel changed the software so the ZW-L wouldn't come up at the voltage the handles were left at during shutdown. That made it a no go.

Pine Creek RailroadPine Creek RailroadOGR Forum Member

Bobby D,

   I can use my old ZW's if I want to leave the handles up and turn the power off and on, or use my Z4K and set it up properly to make this happen also.   To many problems with the ZW-C to ever use one in my Train Room, keep your Bricks please.  Do some reading on all the different problems the members have had with the ZW-C down thru the years.

JDaddy has a ZW-L, going back to a ZW-C he is not going to like, I recommend the usage of the Z4K if he wants to expand his power station.  He could even use the older ZW's and add 4 power channels per each old ZW to his layout.  They work well with both DCS and Legacy.  I use them both.  If I had the money right now I would have picked the used ZW-L up for around $600.00.  I finally after all these years of using the Z4K's had a board go bad in one of them, it looks like I will have it fixed for reasonable money by MTH.  Offered another gentlemen $250.00 for his used Z4K, he wanted more, so I will have the one with the board failure fixed and spend only 1/2 the money.  I would have eventually had it fixed any way.  That would have given me 4 Z4K's to completely power our new Train Room layouts however. 

PCRR/Dave 

 

Last edited by Pine Creek Railroad

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