Postwar ZW upgrades???

Modern circuit breakers/fuses either in the wiring or replacing the one inside the ZW

Jeff, I gave you a bad clue:

Check @ "TranZ4mr'sZW Page"-he is expert regarding basic repair of pw ZWs. You can find him on the Model Train Journal Forum Pages. Kent's e-mail is: TranZ4mr@gmail.com 

 

 

New Throttle Rollers.

   "   Binding posts.

New Cord[most important].

Diodes: Horn/whistle.

Circuit Breaker[new external breaker/fuses is suggested if using for electronic equipped engines]

CarGuy - Is there a How-To somewhere to guide us??

 

Dewey - The only video I could fine was one where they talk about inspecting a ZW. Nothing on repairs...

Many years ago (1970's?) there were a couple of guys (father & son dentists IIRC) that put gold throttle rollers in a ZW to reduce the resistive losses across the rollers. They briefly offered them for sale. I don't know if the gold rollers are still available, or if it would be cost-efficient at today's gold prices... 

I don't know if there is a how to guide anywhere, but I can tell you what I did. I went to Radio Shack, and bought glass automotive-type fuse holders, one per handle. I wired them into the wiring right after the wire leaves the ZW, and use 10amp fast-acting fuses. So far it has worked well, and they blow before the circuit breaker in the ZW

I was wondering if there were any other upgrades to help the venerable old ZW??

 

 

 

Jeff

Check my corrected post above regarding instructions on pw ZW repair. Sorry for the error.

Nicely played Ted!!!  That Z might be next Christmas! 

Jim Barrett has a how to video, BS-02 - Backshop Volume 2, where he explains how to replace the rectifier disc with the nte5991 diodes.

 

Also in BS-08 - Backshop Volume 8 Jim explains how to build a 4 channel fast acting circuit breaker box!

Those guy's can't touch a good ZW, Have you seen the inside of one of those 

a repair guy was trying to fix the binding posts on those a real royal pain!

 

Tin 

Replace the power cord, replace the rectifier discs with diodes, clean the whistle switches with Crc contact cleaner available at Home Depot. If your going to run modern trains add a bell button and a Lionel circuit breaker out of the current catalog.

It's amazing how many people think that the Back Shop series is a waste of money. (I own every one) I wish Jim could make another. His simple teaching covers many things in easy to understand lessons. Many times I watch each one again and again just to refresh and avoid "senior moments".

trainz4mr, Are you referring to the lockon?  If so, can this be wired to my power block instead of the track?  Thanks

Happy Pappy,

   Got to agree with you 100% Jim's back shop stuff is 1st class knowledge and worth ever dime to own!  Further the OGR DCS Video Guide is fantastic stuff also.

PCRR/Dave

Add this Sound Activation/Block Protection Box to output for bell button and circuit protection.

 

This box works for both sides of the ZW.