Post War ZW vs ZW Power House ?

I wasn't aware of any problems with the Lionel Powerhouse 180s? Not sure I have heard them called ZW Powerhouse, so maybe I am not understanding your post correctly? I believe the PH-135s had a slower breaker and maybe some other differences, but I have heard nothing but good things about the PH-180s. I've never used a PH-135, just remember reading about them here.

Anyway, I have been using the Lionel PH-180s about 5 years or so without a problem. My PH-180s are connected to my TIU inputs just a yours are (if I understand your post correctly) and the TIU outputs go to MTH terminal blocks and then to the track blocks. Even though the PH-180s have excellent breakers, I have a PSX-AC in the TIU input wiring for extra protection, this would be the same as your fuse. Probably overkill in my setup, but cheaper than replacing engine electronics. Personally, I think the PH-180s are the best power source available (power output, breaker operation and price) for command control operation.

A ZW-C would make sense, I have read here about some forum members having problems with those, but I am not familiar with them.

I replaced a ZW with a powerhouse 180 feeding 2 variable DCS circuits.  No issues.  I understand Lionel has changed Chinese sources for this item, so no telling if there will be any differences.  The breaker is the fastest popping I've seen.

Thanks all for the recommendations and advice.  My concern is mainly with the ZW-C controller.  As mentioned in some of the responses, issues with the controller have been discussed in the forum.  My question is have any of these controller issues been fixed in subsequent versions of the controller?