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Lionel ZW transformers

U UrbieOGR Forum Member

Hello,

I am experiencing an issue with my 1950's vintage 275 Watt ZW transformer that I am hoping someone on this blog may have also experienced.  When activating the whistle button on the left side of the transformer, the E-unit begins to cycle on the engine.  It only happens when the engine is running either forward or reverse.  When in neutral, the whistle functions correctly, and the engine does not move.

This happens with my 1954 646 Hudson/2046W tender as well as my 1956 2379 F-3 Rio Grande.   When operating these two motives using a different ZW, it doesn't happen.  The whistle function button works correctly, and the engine's E-unit does not cycle...R, F, & N.

My initial thought is the rectifier disc may have failed.  In which case I will replace it with a diode.  But before going in that direction, I thought it advisable to reach out to the forum and solicit some thoughts.

Thank you.

Urbie

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JG Jon GOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

You can check the rectifier disc with an analog ohmmeter.  It will have low resistance in one direction and close to infinite in the other.  Usually a dropout which causes the e-unit to cycle is due to either a broken solder connection in the pickup voltage line or misaligned or dirty contacts on the whistle control.  Use CRC lectra-motive cleaner and repeatedly work the controls and check solder connections at the whistle control.

U UrbieOGR Forum Member

Thanks, Jon G,

I'll check the solder connection in the pickup voltage line and, use CRC to clean the contacts in the whistle control.  Regardless, I'm still committed to remove the rectifier disc and replace it with a diode.  Research suggests it will make the PW Lionel whistles work much better.  I run almost exclusively PW Lionel so no issues with the diodes not working with the circuit boards on newer motives.  Thanks again for the suggestion.  Urbie

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