Lionel ZW Controller and Powerhouse needs constant reset

Did the circuit breaker on the ZW itself trip, indicated by the left red lamp illuminating? It is self resetting so by the time you moved everything to B+C, it may have reset. These its not uncommon to be disappointed with the old thermal breakers. They are not difficult to  replace if you are comfortable with a soldering iron.

bmoran4 posted:

Did the circuit breaker on the ZW itself trip, indicated by the left red lamp illuminating? It is self resetting so by the time you moved everything to B+C, it may have reset. These its not uncommon to be disappointed with the old thermal breakers. They are not difficult to  replace if you are comfortable with a soldering iron.

Thanks for the reply. No the breaker didn't trip, as I said the B & C still have power.

I had similar issues with mine many years ago. I lost power on A and C. The first time it was the handles and Lionel fixed the problem. Second time, A was dead. The board went bad. Lionel replaced the board and it has been working fine for the last 7 years. Hope you have a simpler fix,

Bob

pennsyfan posted:

bmoran4 posted:

Did the circuit breaker on the ZW itself trip, indicated by the left red lamp illuminating? It is self resetting so by the time you moved everything to B+C, it may have reset. These its not uncommon to be disappointed with the old thermal breakers. They are not difficult to  replace if you are comfortable with a soldering iron.

Thanks for the reply. No the breaker didn't trip, as I said the B & C still have power.

I just realized this is for a "modern" ZW whereas my advice would be for a real postwar ZW. For others to better help you, you should indicate if this is a ZW-C, a ZW-L or whatever.

CP Bob,

Did yours work after a reset? This one works until you shut down, then it has to be reset for next use.

Yes, I had that issue also. But, thankfully all has worked correctly after the board was replaced.

Bob

Just out of curiosity, what's the date code on the bottom of the bricks?

Moonman posted:

Just out of curiosity, what's the date code on the bottom of the bricks?

I'll check and get back later; possibly next year. I'm on my way to the clubhouse now with a tried and true PW ZW. When I take the bricks down I'll get the code. This is another rush job; dinner at six; another member has guests coming tomorrow. Gotta get it done.

You mentioned something about a command base? When the base is on the b and c output will come up on to the level you have set. If at zero when moved they will work as normal. The a and D outputs will come up off. The movement of the handles will give output on those post.  In command mode there are basically 4 power masters inside the transformer.

You must address the outputs...tr 1 etc. out of the box they are 1-4. Once adrressed you can turn up the power to the max point that you have the handles set...

Moonman posted:

Just out of curiosity, what's the date code on the bottom of the bricks?

The date code is 2007 4  1 on both.

Any significance other than it's April Fools day?

shawn posted:

You mentioned something about a command base? When the base is on the b and c output will come up on to the level you have set. If at zero when moved they will work as normal. The a and D outputs will come up off. The movement of the handles will give output on those post.  In command mode there are basically 4 power masters inside the transformer.

You must address the outputs...tr 1 etc. out of the box they are 1-4. Once adrressed you can turn up the power to the max point that you have the handles set...

Thanks for the information; but I didn't experience what your getting at. We first connected the two separate loops; 1 to A and 1 to D and then connected the command base to common. When we powered up we had TMCC control on both tracks with out a problem. When the problem arose out of thin air; A & D were dead and B & C were normal. We moved the track connections to B & C, the TMCC didn't care . We ran that way for two weeks without a problem. Then Lionel said to reset the ZW. A & D came alive for one run; but when the handles were turned off and then on again, they were once again dead.

In conventional the handles function as normal. But, when the command base is on the zw does the following. A and d off. B and c on. 

So, if you leave the b and c handles at 18 volts. When you turn the zw back on when the command base is powered first. (Make sure of this) Those outputs will be 18volts... tHe a and d outputs will be off regardless where the handles are set.

so, let's assume you are running all command. That you are running engines on a and d and accessories on b and c. You would leave the b and c handles set to say 14vac. When the layout is powered up all the accessories will be on.

The a and d post were designed different. Remember, they were designed the be off when first turned on. You must bring up both throttles to max voltage or less.

There  will be no voltage. The cab 1/cab2 must address the tracks numbers that correlate to those outputs.Then the throttle must be turned to raise The voltage.

after a reset the a post is track 1, b track2, c track 3,, d track 4. So, try this. Turn on command base first. Followed by the transformer. There should be no voltage on A.

lift the A handle. There should still be no voltage. Using cab1/2. Press tr then 1..slowly turn the throttle. The transformer should slowly bring up the voltage.

if you are running all command leave both a b c d throttle on to the voltage you normally use. Do you have the manual for the transformer?

Gentlemen,

    Bob did the correct thing he took the good old ZW Transformer and started using it, IMO he should just pick up another restored  ZW from Jim here on the OGR, add them both to the layout permanently, and get rid of all his bricks.   Oops did I say that out loud!

PCRR/Dave

The significance of the date code is that it indicates the powerhouse 180 are wired backwards at the factory and are out of phase. try switching the A & U to the tracks and see how it behaves. The Lionel notice and fix .pdf are attached.

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Gentlemen,

    Bob did the correct thing he took the good old ZW Transformer and started using it, IMO he should just pick up another restored  ZW from Jim here on the OGR, add them both to the layout permanently, and get rid of all his bricks.   Oops did I say that out loud!

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

I've got about 6 PW ZWs, I thought that the new one would be better for the new releases; however I forgot that when you add a modern toy  train manufacturer to their Chinese comrades you get high prices, cheap unskilled labor, substandard parts, and no warranty after a year, even if you just bought it.

Moonman posted:

The significance of the date code is that it indicates the powerhouse 180 are wired backwards at the factory and are out of phase. try switching the A & U to the tracks and see how it behaves. The Lionel notice and fix .pdf are attached.

Carl,

Thanks!

pennsyfan posted:

Moonman posted:

The significance of the date code is that it indicates the powerhouse 180 are wired backwards at the factory and are out of phase. try switching the A & U to the tracks and see how it behaves. The Lionel notice and fix .pdf are attached.

Carl,

Thanks!

He would see that problem going between different power blocks with a engine. This would put a short on the transformer tripping over current red light...then possibly tripping the breaker. It sounds like it also worked before. He never stated if he has tried it without a command base powered! 

shawn posted:

pennsyfan posted:

Moonman posted:

The significance of the date code is that it indicates the powerhouse 180 are wired backwards at the factory and are out of phase. try switching the A & U to the tracks and see how it behaves. The Lionel notice and fix .pdf are attached.

Carl,

Thanks!

He would ko see that proble goin between different power blocks with a engine. This would put a short on the transformer tripping over current red light...then possibly tripping the breaker. It sounds like it also worked before. He never stated if he has tried it without a command base powered! 

Just to clarify, there aren't any crossovers, only two independent loops. I never saw the traditional ZW trip lamp light except during the reset.

Not sure if this will help, but it might be worth a try.  The ZW-C does communicate with Legacy, you can program it to control the handle outputs via the Cab-2 by assigned track numbers.  B and C come up where the handles are set, and A and D come up at 0 no matter where the handles are set.

Try powering on the ZW-C first, wait a couple of seconds, the power on the TMCC base.

I realize you are running TMCC not Legacy, so I am not sure if it behaves the same.

Try this:

Reset the momentum setting on A and D. Set it to L

Is a Legacy Base in the mix?

Jim Stefl posted:

Try this:

Reset the momentum setting on A and D. Set it to L

Jim,

Thanks, When I hook it up again I will try that.

Gweedo posted:

Is a Legacy Base in the mix?

Gweedo,

No I don't own any Legacy.

Ok then it's not what I was thinking it might have been.