I picked up a used 275 watt ZW transformer at a train show today. When I got home I tested all handles with a voltmeter. Handles A,B, and C were fine. Moving handle D which is the big left handle produced no voltage. What could be wrong and how do I get it fixed?
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Time to open it up and look. 4 Phillips head screws on the top of the case are all you take out. Since 3 handles work, I'd look at the 8 connections in the back. My guess is one of the studs no longer makes contact with the strip(s). The rivet part is known to break off. Replacement studs that are held in place with threads and nuts are available.
While you have it open, look at all 4 rollers at the end of the copper arms. They should be round, and roll smoothly across the windings. If the are flat, or don't roll, or missing, you need new ones. At this point, unless you are really comfortable working on these, I'd close it back up and take it to a reputable train shop. They can be tricky to get properly installed.
2 other things to check: the power cord, which should not be brittle or cracked, and the circuit breaker. If it is original, I recommend replacing it with a modern one. 50+ year old CBs are not necessarily reliable. BTDT!
A well supplied train repair shop will have all these parts.
BTW, a ZW is well worth spending the buck to get it running right.
Chris
LVHR
Check the size of the rollers, new rollers are close to 1/2" in diameter. If any of the rollers are significantly smaller, it's time to replace them. If they wear down to the arm, that will score the transformer windings and kill the transformer.
If you don’t have a repair shop locally, sending a ZW transformer out by mail for repair is very expensive as it weighs about 15 pounds all packaged up. Your profile doesn’t indicate where you live, but if you’re close to New England I can repair and recondition your ZW or if you want to do the job yourself I got all the parts you would need.
I have done many ZW’s in recent years for people on the forum and also for resale on the form. I’ve got all the parts so it could be a quick turnaround.
My zip is 03086 so if you are interested you can figure the postage.
Jim Lawson
In addition to the above suggestions, also check the wire connections to the terminals on the back of the transformer. I've seen broken connections in this area.
This reminder may seem silly, but please make sure the transformer is not plugged in when opening, working on, it
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