The e-Unit is activated when I blow the diesel horn. Is this an easy fix, or is there perhaps an issue with the rectifier in my ZW???
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The e-unit should not trigger when the whistle/horn control is used.
A few thoughts that come to mind:
- Your ZW transformer has two whistle/horn controls. Have you tried swapping the A and D leads to see if the other whistle/horn controller behaves in the same way?
- Does any other mechanical e-unit locomotive offer the same behavior? This would definitively prove the location of the issue being the locomotive or the ZW transformer. The A-D swap discussed above would further pinpoint things.
- Which ever element, the ZW or the Locomotive is likely at fault, opening it up and performing a visual inspection and general service may lead to some clues. Visually inspect the wires, ensure that the solder joints are still good after all these years.
- Specifically with the ZW, using contact cleaner such as CRC 2-26 or Deoxit on the switch contacts for the whistle/horn control would be a good start.
There is so much more we could get into, but lets see what the above steps reveal before we start talking rectifier replacement/upgrades and whatnot.
Bmoran4, I just realized I never got back to you regarding this... I ended up replacing the whistle rectifiers with diodes now all is good!! Whistles are all strong and responsive! Thanks!
