'lash-up' of Transformers?

Hi JOHN,

  When you did make the lashup did you hit the set button on the Cab 2?  If you did the lash up should have answered with the whistle.  Another thing by assigning TR 1, 2 and 3 to your ovals, did you press each TR,1,2,3 and turn the knob to add power to the tracks.  I have to do that to my Lionel 6-32930 ZW with the bricks on two of my tracks to get power to them.  I hope this helps.

Just some trouble shooting checks, because your thought process seems sound given my short time with my new zw-l. The transformer's middle back switch is still set to CMD? Also you have set the throttles to 18v manually correct? Even in CMD mode the knobs need set the upper voltage limit before the remote can be used to control output.

I will try your idea later this evening if I get time and see if I can come up with anything.

Hi Laz; I did hit the set button and the Cab 2 set the train had been created. However the transformer has no whistle, so no response there. I assigned the ovals as Eng 1, 2 and 3 not tr 1,2 & 3. addressing each of those engine #s individually does give power.

Hi Phoenixx;

Yes I have the transformer on CMD and the manual throttles all the way to max setting.

Hey John, 

Well I have confirmed the the troubles you are having. I am unable to build a successful TR lashup that includes the transformers. I did manage a slightly wonky workaround. If you put the transformer in 1CH mode on the leftside backside switch, you can max the throttles (all outputs) and from your legacy remote use whatever ENG # the AU output is to control the voltage of all 4 outputs. 

This achieves close to what you set out for since a lashup of two or three of the sides of the ZW would all be set to the same voltages simultaneously when addressed as one TR id, with the added joy of keeping you from using the fourth output at a fixed voltage for accessories or just off if your layout doesnt require its function.

I don't actually have the B,C,D outputs hooked up to anything currently (still laying track) but sitting here thinking, I'll check if leaving the last output throttle lever off/closed keeps it from putting out power in the 1CH mode, if so then this is the perfect solution for what you are after.

Quick final note, the transformer must be turned off and then the channel mode switch set and transformer turned back on for the transformer to see that the switch position changed.

Success! Just checked the output voltages with a multimeter. With the transformer in 1CH mode and only the AU throttle set to 18vac, the other outputs stayed off. Then setting BU, CU, DU one at a time at 18vac, with the legacy remote having engine 10 (my AU) set to maximum, I got 18vac on only the handles I turned up.

So to sum up now. For what you are trying to do it seems best to set the transformer in 1CH mode, on the transformer crank up the handles you need and leave off the ones you don't. Then on the remote you only need bother with whatever address you assigned to the AU output of your transformer.

Please let me know if this works out as you intended it too.

OK, I'll give that a try. If I want to control the ovals separately from the CAB 2, I can set the transformer back to its normal setting. Thanks for the suggestion.