Initial set up of ZW-Ls

You have zeroed in on the reasons I did not buy a ZW-L.

I leave the handles on my 'L' at max.  

I set the momentum on each handle to "Low'.  When I power it up I address each handle and "spin" the dial about a quarter of a turn, and I get full power to the tracks.  

It takes all of 3-4 seconds, total.  Wow!  It's that easy, and a good safety feature.

That's a good review for those of us who are used to just turning the ZW-C on and having the voltage on A and D just go to whatever the handles are set. Address, spin wheel, address, spin wheel...maybe not too time consuming. So when you have a fault, you have to dial down and then back up and spin wheel?   On the ZW-C you just have to cut line voltage power and restore...a flick of a switch that the ZW-C PMs are plugged into.

I really like the way the TPCs work, Track address and boost from the CAB2. Probably similar to the motions you describe for the ZW-L.

To regain power: Clear the fault; press TR and handle ID; press 0; quarter turn (call it 'spin' if you want).  Voila!

I'm kinda wanting one now...

I do not believe the ZW-C works as being stated for A and D?  I use mine in TMCC and the A and D handles stay at full and the B and C are at intermediate voltages for accessories.  When I turn on power A and D remain at 0 volts and only the B and C go immediately to set voltage.  You still have to adjust A and D via the Cab-1 (in my case).  G

GGG posted:

I do not believe the ZW-C works as being stated for A and D?  I use mine in TMCC and the A and D handles stay at full and the B and C are at intermediate voltages for accessories.  When I turn on power A and D remain at 0 volts and only the B and C go immediately to set voltage.  You still have to adjust A and D via the Cab-1 (in my case).  G

Our ZW-C returns to the A, B, C, and D handle settings on power up. The kids do not have to touch or reset anything, it is the reason we did not get a ZW-L.

GGG posted:

I do not believe the ZW-C works as being stated for A and D?  I use mine in TMCC and the A and D handles stay at full and the B and C are at intermediate voltages for accessories.  When I turn on power A and D remain at 0 volts and only the B and C go immediately to set voltage.  You still have to adjust A and D via the Cab-1 (in my case).  G

OH you are so right. Thanks, I use it every day, but I mistakenly said A and D and it is in fact B and C.

jbmccormick posted:

I have just upgraded my layout to 2 ZW-Ls that I bought new and in the box.  I am have a few challenges on these units, that I didn't have with my older ZW's and 135s.  Here are my questions:

1. I have both units in the run mode, and thought they were set up properly yet, it seems when I turn them on I have to turn on the track power to each handle "TR1" then spin the dial.  I don't recall having to do that with the old ones.  How can I stop from having to do that?
2. I only run TMCC or DCS engines, nothing in conventional.  Can I use the 1 handle feature on both ZW-Ls?
3. I use various power strips to power up my layout, and have for years.  Assuming I can't use the 1 handle feature, is there any issue with leaving the ZW-L at 17 volts (the handles) when they are turned on?  Again I did this on my old ZWs with 135s, never had an issue.

John

The ZW-L has convenient switches rather than using a T-bar to set the mode of the transformer. From page 14 of the ZW-L manual- set the Conv/CMD switch in the CONV position and the 1/4 Channel switch in the 4 position. (well, you decide, if you have all four channels at the same track power, use 1)

Turn on power to the ZW-L and move the handles to the desired output voltage. 

Now, when you turn on power to the ZW-L, the track power will come up at your preset handle voltages.

Does the ZW-L still respond to the emergency stop when it's in Convential? And regarding a fault with an auto shutdown, how do you restore power?