Does modern ZW use chopped size wave?

Yes, Don, it's chopped.

I know that the ZW-L provides a chopped sine wave.

The ZW-C (the one with the bricks) does as well.

However, do the powerhouse bricks alone put out a chopped sine wave? Or does running them through the ZW-C convert them to chopped?

The powerhouses are pure sine wave. It's the electronic controllers that chop the wave.

The PH180 along won't help you much with the PS/1 locomotive.

Thanks.  So I guess my only options are
- get a Z transformer

- use PW transformer with some added protection

- forget Protosound

Is it easy to replace PS with ERR?

Thx, Don

Yes it's easy to replace PS1 with ERR, but you will have to "float" the tender shell (isolate it from its trucks) in order to use it as an antenna for the TMCC signal.  (Lionel locos come from the factory with insulated handrails, which become the antenna.)

Or, you could get an MTH Z-4000 transformer which greatly "conditions" the chopped wave so that it approximates a sine wave.  MTH wanted to be sure their transformer would run all of their trains!  You can get one of the MRC "pure power" traditional transformers (although I personally would rather have a postwar Lionel transformer with some type of added protection.)

Finally you can use one of the modern "chopped" power supplies by making your own power conditioner.  Across the output terminals you can add approximately 200 microfarads (200 uF) NON-POLAR capacitor.  For saftey's sake it should be in a ventilated metal enclosure.  This will condition the output waveform and allow your PS1 locos to come out of neutral.  Your very early PS1s (pre-1995) may still have issues with the sounds but they will run.

What model year are your PS-1?  I use a ZW-C on my layout, also an original PM and I have no problems controlling PS-1 engines conventionally.  There maybe some early versions from 94-95 that don't do well, but most of the later stuff has no issues with a Power Master or ZW-C.  G

FWIW, many of the "Z" transformers have chopped waveforms as well, so for modern transformers, it's probably the Z-4000 or the MRC Pure Power.  I'll have to disagree with Ted about the MRC transformer, it's a very robust unit that supplies a true 270 watts of output pure sine wave power.  The wipers in the MRC are way better than the old PW transformer rollers and will likely outlast you.