Lionel ZW controller problem

Why don't you contact The Mikado (Mike Reagan) and see what he thinks about it?

I had numerous issues including the handles, and board failure twice. I have not used it much since it was repaired the last time in 2009. I have 3 MTH Z4000s and zero issues. IMO, I would sell two bricks and put the money toward a Z4000. Keep the other two bricks and run command on one loop, or look for a TPC, or the new Lionel Z.  Not sure if parts are available to fix your Z. Good luck,

Bob

Id go with what Bob said...I parked my postwar KW's and ZW's and went with Z4000's on my layout (conventional).....all the folks on this forum suggested it, and I never looked back.....I got mine from Mario's ........Joe had them on my door step in two days!...performance is awesome....great price and great service.....There's your plug Joe!

Thanks guys for your responses. I hate to say it but Lionel lost me over this. I have one Lionel engine other than some post war. All my other command engines are MTH. What I think I'll do is get the cables to connect my two 180's directly to my TIU and power my switches with another small transformer. I have greatly downsized my layout from previous ones and now just have a 5x10' so big power purchase for me is not in the cards.

You can run conventional with your TIU's variable channels and the PH-180s. 

Did you try to re-program the ZW???

Marty