Postwar ZW with polarized plug?

Do you have a Dremel? If so you can make the plug a regular plug by removing the little pieces that widen at the end. But as long as any of the transformers are not able to be connected thru the track you shouldn't have to worry. If there is a chance all you need to do is take a light bulb with two wires connected to it and touch the two U post between them, add power, and if it lights you have to reverse one plug.

Ted, you’d only need to worry about that if you intended to connect the commons together on the low voltage side, .....or what’s called putting the transformers in phase ......for what you’re doing sounds like all the transformers have a separate job to do,....plug them in the power strip any way they fit, ......you’ll be fine,....

Pat

This subject has been discussed in detail on the forum in the past 12 or 15 months. If you do a search for ZW’s with polarized power cords you’re going to find a tremendous amount of information. Jim Lawson

Hi all,

I know how to phase postwar ZW when using command control. Phasing was the word I could not remember as I was having a senility moment!!

Postwar ZW will be dedicated to running trains. CW 80 to be used for lighting only and the 2 beacon towers. If that lighting is too much amperage, I have a KLine transformer for additional lighting. All transformers are being plugged into the same power strip without any worries.

Thank you to all who responded as this forum is the best for information.

This is a good reference on phasing:

https://slsprr.net/technical/phasing.htm

I believe it was Susan who pointed out in the past that postwar ZW transformers were phased. The cords were marked. One side of the molded two wire cord has a line or several lines molded into it.  The other side of smooth. The smooth side is intended to be plugged into the hot (black wire) side of the outlet and ribbed or lined side of the wire is intended to be plugged into the neutral (white wire) side of the outlet. Unfortunately, I do not believe that very many replacement cords followed this practice.

"...take a light bulb with two wires connected to it and touch the two U post between them, add power, and if it lights you have to reverse one plug."

Well, not exactly.  The correct method is a little different, as has been taught about a thousand times here.

Connect the two U posts. Set the two transformers' outputs at the same voltage, as measured with a digital A-C voltmeter at the two "hot" posts.  Using the voltmeter (not a lamp, not a piece of wire, not a screwdriver, etc.)  measure the voltage between the two hot posts.  If there is a measurable amount, specifically twice the voltage output of either transformer, reverse the line cord of one of them. Then measure again, and expect to read close to zero volts. Then they are in phase.

I have phased postwar transformers in the past for command control purposes.

Plug the 1st zw into a power strip and put the A handle to 10 volts. Plug the 2nd zw into a power strip and put the A handle to 10 volts. If you get a spark on the 2nd one when touching the terminal, switch that plug around. If you get no spark, then the plugs are fine and those 2 transformers are phased.

I marked my plugs with yellow and white paint so I can easily tell they are plugged in correctly,