Lionel ZW-L, problem?

The ZW-L Is not true RMS sine wave. The ZW-L produces a Chopped Sinewave. If your meter measures in True RMS that might account for the error. 

Mike

Winger posted:

The ZW-L Is not true RMS sine wave. The ZW-L produces a Chopped Sinewave. If your meter measures in True RMS that might account for the error. 

Mike

Thanks Mike. That maybe the problem as my meter is an older one. I still have the manual for it, I will dig it out and see if the meter is true rms.

If you go full scale with a chopped sine wave power supply, the sine wave is not significantly chopped. So any meter should pretty much show the actual voltage.

I was wondering if the ZW-L has any calibration feature as to voltage vs lever position.

cjack posted:

If you go full scale with a chopped sine wave power supply, the sine wave is not significantly chopped. So any meter should pretty much show the actual voltage.

I was wondering if the ZW-L has any calibration feature as to voltage vs lever position.

I don't think that it does, I will have to read the instructions again but I don't remember seeing anything about that.

I'm no electronics whiz, but I do know that different meters can give significantly different results. And here we are comparing a digital meter to a much less accurate analog meter.  The difference between 16 and 18 volts, while seemingly analytically large,  should make no difference in functionality. It's the amps that count, mostly.  No one needs more than 16 volts for almost anything in this hobby.  Maybe some inefficient prewar motors benefit from being able to go higher, but otherwise, with all modern stuff, it's likely a non-issue.  So as long as the power (as in: watts=amps x volts) is there to run a locomotive and some incandescent bulb passenger cars without overheating, I wouldn't worry.  If I'm wrong, my apologies for my ignorance about the fine details of such things.

Landsteiner posted:

I'm no electronics whiz, but I do know that different meters can give significantly different results. And here we are comparing a digital meter to a much less accurate analog meter.  The difference between 16 and 18 volts, while seemingly analytically large,  should make no difference in functionality. It's the amps that count, mostly.  No one needs more than 16 volts for almost anything in this hobby.  Maybe some inefficient prewar motors benefit from being able to go higher, but otherwise, with all modern stuff, it's likely a non-issue.  So as long as the power (as in: watts=amps x volts) is there to run a locomotive and some incandescent bulb passenger cars without overheating, I wouldn't worry.  If I'm wrong, my apologies for my ignorance about the fine details of such things.

No apologies need. I'm no electronics expert either. What you say makes sense. My meter works fine on an old postwar zw. I don't think it's capable of reading a chopped sine wave. I may buy an analog meter and see what it shows.

feet posted:

I just received 2 ZW-L's I bought off the bay. Both are brand new. I checked the output on both units with a Fluke digital multi meter. Both transformers are only putting out 16 volts on all channels. The meters on both transformers show 18 volts, maybe a little more. Do the transformers have a problem or could my multi meter be off ? I can't believe the transformers have a problem but my multi meter has always been accurate. Any idea's what could be wrong if anything ? 

I have the same situation with my ZW-L.

Doug N posted:

feet posted:

I just received 2 ZW-L's I bought off the bay. Both are brand new. I checked the output on both units with a Fluke digital multi meter. Both transformers are only putting out 16 volts on all channels. The meters on both transformers show 18 volts, maybe a little more. Do the transformers have a problem or could my multi meter be off ? I can't believe the transformers have a problem but my multi meter has always been accurate. Any idea's what could be wrong if anything ? 

I have the same situation with my ZW-L.

If you figure out what's wrong let me know. I looked at my digital meter and it is analog. I tested the wall outlet with it and i'm getting 125 volts. I might call Lionel on Monday and see what they say. 

feet posted:

Doug N posted:

feet posted:

I just received 2 ZW-L's I bought off the bay. Both are brand new. I checked the output on both units with a Fluke digital multi meter. Both transformers are only putting out 16 volts on all channels. The meters on both transformers show 18 volts, maybe a little more. Do the transformers have a problem or could my multi meter be off ? I can't believe the transformers have a problem but my multi meter has always been accurate. Any idea's what could be wrong if anything ? 

I have the same situation with my ZW-L.

If you figure out what's wrong let me know. I looked at my digital meter and it is analog. I tested the wall outlet with it and i'm getting 125 volts. I might call Lionel on Monday and see what they say. 

Will do.  Please post any info you get from Lionel.

Doug N posted:

feet posted:

Doug N posted:

feet posted:

I just received 2 ZW-L's I bought off the bay. Both are brand new. I checked the output on both units with a Fluke digital multi meter. Both transformers are only putting out 16 volts on all channels. The meters on both transformers show 18 volts, maybe a little more. Do the transformers have a problem or could my multi meter be off ? I can't believe the transformers have a problem but my multi meter has always been accurate. Any idea's what could be wrong if anything ? 

I have the same situation with my ZW-L.

If you figure out what's wrong let me know. I looked at my digital meter and it is analog. I tested the wall outlet with it and i'm getting 125 volts. I might call Lionel on Monday and see what they say. 

Will do.  Please post any info you get from Lionel.

 

 

I will keep you informed when I find out something.

Wanted to let you know what I found out. You have to have a true RMS meter to check the output on a chopped wave transformer. I bought a Kline MM700 at Home Depot, $99.99. ZW-L is putting out 18.88 volts on all channels. A analog meter won't read the true output.