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Hey Guys,

This is weird - maybe. But I'm seeing an issue with my lights cutting out after a period of time - with no other activity going on my layout. I've got the lights and signals hooked to the outside post of my old Lionel ZW transformer and set to 14 volts. For 2 of the other posts on the transformer, I have the switch power and another post going to my ASCs which throws the switches and those are set to 16 volts each. After a period of time, the transformer red light lights up and the lights go out. What's weird, is that they eventually come back on - without powering off or anything else.

Some changes recently made to my layout:

I've recently added some additional lights to the railroad - in tunnels and covered bridges. I have also recently added animated workers (blinking jack hammer lights, head lamps, etc. ). The last thing I added was 2 blinking lights on either side of a tunnel entrance. All of these are connected to that same transformer post as my lights and signals. Note that I disconnected those blinking lights thinking they may be the culprit. But no - the same thing still happens.

Any thoughts? Any thoughts on how to diagnose where the problem may lie. Could it be a transformer issue - it is almost 60 years old!

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First, what MartyE said!

Second, ZWs have a plaque either on the top or the back of the transformer. The wattage is listed there. Most are 275watts. Figure 80% of that for a realistic value.

Also, old ZWs are noted for having the circuit breakers fail and trip early. (The red light indicates the CB has tripped. Once it cools down, it automatically resets and the red light goes out.) A good train shop can upgrade your ZW with a solid state CB. They are not terribly expensive , and well worth the $$, in my opinion.

If you find the wattage of all your bulbs exceeds 80% of the ZW's rating, you need to a) remove some bulbs, b) convert some bulbs to LEDs with lower current draw, or c) add another transformer. If you go with c), be aware you need to split your lighting circuit into at least 2 circuits, one for each transformer. Also, if you have a common ground between the transformers (this normally the case) you MUST be certain the transformers are properly phased! There are lots of videos available explaining how to do this.

Chris

LVHR

You need to start at the beginning and do this scientifically.

Use a meter to determine the current draw in amps under the conditions that are present when the (assumed) overload occurs. A-C ammeters are available inexpensively either in digital or analog versions.

Then measure the voltage.

Then multiply the two readings. (This is a rough way to determine the power in Watts being consumed.) If the answer is more than the 80% number, then you have the reason the overload breaker is operating. The breaker is a heat activated component. It opens the circuit, cools off and resets, starting the procedure all over again.

Let us know the readings and we will help you figure out what to do next.

Last edited by Arthur P. Bloom

"Also, if you have a common ground between the transformers (this normally the case) you MUST be certain the transformers are properly phased! "

No, not necessary if he is just using more than one transformer for lights. It's only necessary when multiple transformers are used for circuits that are possibly interconnected,such as track circuits where locomotives bridge a junction between two independently poweredblocks. His water is already a bit muddy. Let's get the original problem fixed first.

Jeffrey,

Nothing weird. It's easy to overload a ZW with just incandescent lights. For example, a single 432 bulb is about 3 or 4 watts depending on how many volts you feed it.

That adds up in a hurry with all the lighting. I found that out from experience. I started hitting my ZW limit at about 50 or 60 incandescent bulbs.

ZWs really don't put out anywhere near 275 watts and the original circuit breakers often vary in what current they will trip at. There's a lot of variability between different ZWs.

If you are right near the limit of the ZW circuit breaker, it will heat up until it trips. Then, it will cool down and reset. The bulbs will come back on until the heat builds up again and the breaker trips again - will just keep cycling.

It doesn't matter if the load is on different terminal posts on the ZW, it's the overall total that matters.

You have to split the load between different transformers.

Jim

Last edited by Jim Policastro

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