Limit of ZWL power?

Either one is limited to roughly 180 watts at any one output(handle), so you would probably experience the same thing on the Z4K. 

The TOTAL wattage available is different/higher on the ZW-L, but you still can't get more than 180 out of any one of the 4 outputs (additionally,  it will be less on the 4th output if the other 3 are close to max, due to the total being cut back to 620 watts from the originally advertised 720 all those years ago.  The 4th one maxes out at 80 watts if the other 3 are at 180 - which is unlikely, but easy to understand math).

People that need more power to the track I think use one of the higher power capable TPC units Lionel sells and use the combining cable/pigtail to feed 2 power house supplies into the TPC.  This is of course only useful if you use TMCC or Legacy, since you need to control the TPC in that environment.

-Dave

A solution is to put LED's in the passenger cars. Assuming you do not choose that alternative another choice is to break up that loop into two power districts. You have 21' of passenger train, it must be a very nice layout. At the bottom of the grade start a new power district about 15' long. This way the entire train will not be in the same PD while climbing the grade. At the end of the 15' transition back to the other PD.

Regardless of the rated power each output can only deliver 10 amps. UL requirement. Doesn't your ZWL have ammeters? 12 passenger cars lit with incandescents are likely drawing 5-6 amps alone. Measure the current draw with just the cars on the tracks. Each motor has a stall current of around 2.5 amps. While its unlikely they are approaching that you can see the motors alone could be drawing 10 amps.

Pete

Thanks Dave, Tom, and Pete.  Dave, this is LC+ (no BT), but couldn't I still double up on the power?  Tom, I have some of the little converter units from Guns, just haven't put the LEDs into the cars (deciding which cars to use them in). I have no power districts so that is a possibility; the whole double loop/over n under is graded, all up and down a few inches in 140 feet. Pete, the ammeter on the ZWL reads almost 6 for the cars, just over 8 with FTs going upgrade. elsewhere on the Forum someone said the meters on the ZWL were not too accurate(?). Maybe the're pretty good after all.    I'm happy with the 9 cars for now. Maybe just avoid any changes now; but these all are good possibilities if I rewire, etc. thanks.

Wally

Wally, one of the lines on my S gauge layout is 140' around, equivalent to about 180' in O gauge. It has an elevation change of 6", the gradient is 2.4%. When I feel adventurous (not too often) I can run 4 trains on that line, which even in S gauge can be more than 10A. So that line is divided into two power districts each fed from a different handle of a ZW-L. Works perfectly.

Cho Cho Wally posted:

Thanks Dave, Tom, and Pete.  Dave, this is LC+ (no BT), but couldn't I still double up on the power?

The TPC400 will allow 22 amps per power district if you are using TMCC/Legacy/LC/LC+/DCS.

ADCX Rob posted:

Cho Cho Wally posted:

Thanks Dave, Tom, and Pete.  Dave, this is LC+ (no BT), but couldn't I still double up on the power?

The TPC400 will allow 22 amps per power district if you are using TMCC/Legacy/LC/LC+/DCS.

I don't have any of the TPC units, but my comment regarding needing TMCC/Legacy was assuming you need to address the TPC to get it to pass any voltage to the track.  Perhaps that is untrue? 

I know the original TMCC PowerMaster had the Command/Conventional switch that would always set the output to full if set to Command, - do the TPCs have a similar switch?

-Dave

Wally, 8 amps should not have tripped the breaker but those breakers are very fast. Any chance a pilot or thumbtack coupler could have touched the center rail where the uphill transition occurs?

Pete

Pete, the 8 amps was after I removed three cars from the original 12. So, FT ABA LC+ with 9 lighted cars = 8+ amps.

Wally