Clarifying the use of PW-ZW or ZW-L with Legacy PM or Legacy PM-360

@Windy City posted:

After reading the manuals on Lionel ZW-L, Legacy PM, Legacy PM-360, and TPC 300, I'd like to share my findings.  I hope this will help  others getting into (or back into) O Gauge Railroading.  Please correct anything I may have misunderstood.  

I am looking at this through a strictly Lionel TMCC/Legacy perspective.  No MTH TIU, No DCS, No star wiring.

• PW-ZW is compatible with Legacy PM.
• PW-ZW is NOT compatible with the Legacy 360 PM
• PW-ZW and ZW-L will work in conventional mode with MTH PS-1 only (MTH PS-2 or 3 advanced functions will not function)
• PW-ZW and ZW-L need a TPC or PM to operate most functions of MTH PS-2 or 3
• The advantage of the Legacy PM over a TPC is the additional circuit breaker function

I don't know, and would be interested in learning if the circuit breaker in either the Legacy PM or ZW-L is equivalent to the PSX1-AC

I look forward to your feedback

The PW ZW is compatible with both the Legacy PM and Legacy 360 PM.  The Legacy 360 PM is made to accept two PH inputs, but it will operate just fine with one PH input.  You will need to buy or make your own Molex connector below to connect a non PH (PW ZW) to the PM.

All MTH PS1, PS2, and PS3 engines will operated in conventional mode.  The PS-1 is conventional only.  The PS2 and PS3 can operate in conventional mode or in command mode using the MTH TIU.

The ZW-LDOES NOT need a TPC or PM.  It has the PM function built into each of its 4 channels.

The PW ZW can operate the conventional functions of PS1, PS2, and PS3 engines.  However, the bell, whistle, and power combinations to get some functions to work can be confusing.

The Legacy PM does have better circuit protection than the TPC.  However, the TPC (if you can find one) was made to work with the PW ZW.