Lionel Z and ZW Transformers!!

It isn't number of accessories as much as it is current draw (amps). Your Z and ZW are 250/275 (input) watt transformers delivering about 75% of that consistently on the output (about 180 watts) which puts you at about 10 amps for those transformers. The 10 amps can all go through 1 channel (throttle), or can be divided up across the 4 channels. Additionally, idle accessories generally use no or minimal power so you only need to account for the maximum simultaneous accessories. In theory, you could hook 100 accessories up to your transformer provided you only use them one (or few) at a time keeping the current draw in check.

I hope this helps you ask a next set of questions so we can get you to a comfortable place with our inquiry.

Got it!! I am trying to build a permanent train layout, first one in my new house. I will only operate one accessory at a time. How does 3 accessories to each circuit on my Z sound to you? Another question, on my ZW, I will run one Locomotive and power (8) 022 switches via fixed voltage. What throttle location is right for 022 switches? I have 18V lamps in them all. I want them to snap fast. 3/4 power? Or full power? I plan on putting the switches on the inner throttle and the Locomotive on the opposite outer throttle.  Sound good?

For a rule of thumb, everything sounds good. You should have your output at about 14 volts for the O22 switches, even with 18V lamps. This will prevent the lamps melting the switch lantern housing.

Ok, got it!! Thanks!! 

Lioneljeff posted:

Got it!! I am trying to build a permanent train layout, first one in my new house. I will only operate one accessory at a time. How does 3 accessories to each circuit on my Z sound to you? Another question, on my ZW, I will run one Locomotive and power (8) 022 switches via fixed voltage. What throttle location is right for 022 switches? I have 18V lamps in them all. I want them to snap fast. 3/4 power? Or full power? I plan on putting the switches on the inner throttle and the Locomotive on the opposite outer throttle.  Sound good?

I suggest that you use one (B or C) for all of the accessories and the other for the fixed voltage plugs. 

You want to be able to vary the voltage for the accessories.  After 60 to 70 years with accessories made between 1947 and 1960, you'll find their best performance is at different voltages.  I would test each one and write the best voltage for each accessory on a card to be kept handy to the transformer.

In the last month I have rebuilt a dozen 022 switches.  Some work fine on 15 volts and others took 18.  I found that after lubrication with WD40, all of them work fine on 15, but at 14 some are not so good. 

I set the throttle on my ZW for 022 switches at 16V. I have the 022's wired to the B post and the Locomotive track power to the D post. All works great! Now, for the Z. I currently have no accessories out yet.  But, will write which voltages to use for each. Great idea! Now, since I am using 2 transformers, I do not need track power wired to Z, Correct? It's just used to power accessories.  

It can be beneficial to tie the Z and the ZW together in phase with a common ground circuity. This makes wiring up track activated accessories much more rewarding.

Rewarding?  It's a saftey thing. If the two systems aren't isolated fully, you MUST "phase" them.  I'm not even sure Mike touches on the overvoltage possible if you don't. (I do recall he explains the cancellation of power)

MLAUGHLINNYC,  WD-40 is not a real lubricant (other than it is wet) It is a wire dryer (yea, I recall the commercials....they lied   It more likely cleaned away debris than anything. In fact, its more likely to remove real oils letting rust form long term. Still a good product, just not a lube.  I use it to clean and flush with often; plastic safe & all. 

I like T-9 dry film lube for things where dry is better. The spray dries to a super thin wax-like teflon coating that's slick as heck. Use sparingly because you can   Nothing has impressed me more as a "new" lube. 

  It also penetrates rust and protects metal; plastic safe. It's airplane flap de-icer by Boeing. My last can lasted about 15years, mostly a few drops at time vs (but plus some) heavy "in the garage" sprayings.

I'd likely phase the Z&ZW, and use the Z for everything not on wheels, including turnouts, just to eliminate any train light flicker as a switch gets thrown.

Noting voltage used by each of the accessories isa good idea, but it wasn't mentioned to group them. Say..Turnouts on A, Low volts on B, med. on C, high volt on D. (Turnouts don't use power until activated either, except the bulb)

Adriatic posted:

Rewarding?  It's a saftey thing. If the two systems aren't isolated fully, you MUST "phase" them. 

 

I understood Jeff's considered alternative was a completely independent, fully isolated, accessory bus. The layout will be more rewarding, have better play value and such if a common ground system is used with phased transformers.

Just my opinion, but I think you are going to need 16-18 volts to power your 022's successfuly, and that will depend a lot on the length of your wiring to them. Note that to snap them the power needs to first flow from your zw to the switch aux jack, then back and forth to your remote controller, then through track ground and the ground wiring back to your zw. That can be many feet of wire, and the flat black FC3 conductor wire is only 22 awg. The coils are 6 ohm and need close to 3 amps to snap them.

Don't know how many switches you are planning, but each 022 with 432 red and green controller bulbs and a 1445 lantern bulb will burn close to 0.4 amps at 18 volts, so ten of them will need 4 amps, or 72 watts. It adds up quickly. This will likely be your biggest continuous load. I would distribute them between both your z and zw, using the inner accessory handles. My nickels worth.

Rod

I use a Z and ZW for power on my layout. The Z powers all accessories and the ZW powers the trains. I would use the Z just for the switches and accessories. It should handle the load fine unless you plan on continuously running each accessory at the same time. I like to have a transformer strictly for the trains themselves. That way the trains get all the power they need without accessories robbing them of anything.