I have a pair of 6-32930 Lionel Transformer systems, the ones with the ZW looking controls and the two 180 watt bricks. They work fine for TMCC or Legacy engines, and Proto 2 and 3 in MTH models. But when I try to run any Proto or Proto1 type engines, any movement, forward or reverse is followed by random whistles and bell ringing.
Is the magic light blub or other filter a cure for this behavior?
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I've run into the same problems. Proto 1 engines need a pure sine wave transformer Z 750, Z 4000 etc. to operate otherwise it goes nuts blowing the horn/whistle.
In the old days this problem came up using the old Powermaster. I found that putting a 100 uf capacitor across the output of the Powermaster while the locomotive initialized did the job. Once the loco initialized, it would run just fine without the capacitor. I wired the capacitor through a momentary contact, normally open switch did the trick.
My current layout has TPCs to control track power. Aux1-9 puts a full power sine wave on the track and allows 80% of my proto 1 units to initialize properly. Once they are initialized, they run OK.
Some of the earliest proto 1 units will not even initialize or run at all with my TPC. Those get on the short list for a Cruise Commander retrofit.
it's a shame the two key players couldn't standardize on an electrical system. For me it made me choose one over the other. I didn't need the headaches.
Rod Miller
One fix that frequently helps is a 10uf 50V non-polarized capacitor directly across the transformer feed. This knocks down the sharp edges of the waveform and sometimes helps with the issue. Make sure you don't have this capacitor appear across the outputs of the TIU as it'll kill the DCS signal.
Thanks for the Info, will try it tomorrow at the club.
Also try putting a lighted caboose or passenger car on the same power district as the locomotive. I have found that greatly reduces or eliminates random bells and whistles. Also dirty track can cause the extra sounds.
Results of this weekends testing and trying the suggestions from members.
1) Adding a 10uF 50V non-polarized capacitor across the transformer output made the the PROTO engine just whistle more.
2) Adding a lighted caboose to the consist did not stop the whistle.
3) Cleaned the track with Scotch brite and solvent, no change to whistle blowing.
4) Disconnected the 6-32930 system with the 6-14002 meter, and used the 180 watt brick, with a TPC, problem solved. PROTO engine starts, runs, blows whistle, rings bell, does the PFA station sounds, from the Legacy handheld.
5) Seems that the Lionel 6-32930 system has a problem.
6) Will take the scope to the club and look at the wave form from the TPC network and the ZW-C system.
Time for a drink -- Gray Goose Black Russian -- GGBR
Sounds like a DC offset is being generated by the ZW-C controller.
Hey GRJ!
The scope will tell the tale tomorrow.
I have changed the chip in the transformer to the SO1.Hex.
The club has a pair of ZW-C units.
I never thought to 'scope my ZW-C, but it's a shelf queen anyway, so I don't experience any issues. I use the bricks and I use the MTH TIU for any conventional testing I want to do since it's already there.
That ZW-C with 180W bricks is what I use, and I've had no issues with my Proto-1 locomotives that a lighted car and clean track didn't fix. That's how I know when it's time to clean the track, my Proto-1 locomotives start tooting on their own.
And what do you mean you have changed the chip?
I lied, I did actually 'scope the ZW-C some time back.
Here's the test setup, really simple. Four 8 ohm 75W resistors, and one PH180 brick driving the ZW-C.
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