PW ZW Cord replacement

I always used #16 on my pw ZW power cords. I connected the common to the wide blade of the plug. If you later have a phasing problem requiring the reversal of the plug the easy solution is to use a two to three prong adapter --available at Lowe's, Home Depot,etc.

Dewey,

 

That's for the info and the 3 prong plug tip.

 

Ed

 

A file takes care of polarized plugs and makes them "universal".  The copper alloy the prongs are made of files real easy.

 

quote:

I connected the common to the wide blade of the plug.

 

How do you identify "hot" and "common" terminals for the transformer coil?

AFAIK, there is no "hot" and "common" on a PW transformer primary.  I've never been able to identify any difference.

 

Why use a three prong plug/cord  on a Postwar ZW transformer? What do you do with the ground wire?

The wiring convention (which is bass ackwards) is that a positive-going input voltage(with respect to AC neutral) produces a negative-going output voltage (with respect to the track Common terminal.)  I don't recall which ZW winding terminal should be connected to the wide neutral prong/wire to achieve this.

A 3-prong plug certainly keeps you honest when plugging it in, and the ZW's base is metal (which maybe be electrically connected to the core and frame assembly?)

I use a cord off of an old vacuum cleaner. They are heavy guage and free. Replacing an old cord is easy on a old ZW. They are not polarized per se. If you need to phase just swap the leads and resolder.

Ed
Why not do it the way it was designed? Order or pick up part b292 from any Lionel parts dealer.
The cord is 2 wire 18 gauge non polarized. The numbers on the ones I buy are Electricord 31 Westfield PA. CSA. LL39965. SPT-2  21c  0.824 mm2 (18 AWG)  105•c  300V  FT1 VW-1  (UL) E67474

quote:

A 3-prong plug certainly keeps you honest when plugging it in, and the ZW's base is metal (which maybe be electrically connected to the core and frame assembly?)

 

I asked about where to connect the ground wire because awhile back someone posted some rather bad advice about where to connect it.

I agree with Tranz4mr, the transformer was designed to use a non-polarized, 2 conductor plug with an 18 gauge cord. Why use anything else?

From what I recall, Lionel recommended using a dot of paint on each transformer's plug when phasing them together.

 

I used a non-polarized cord with 18ga wire as well, I can't see any reason for the polarized plug or the grounded plug.  In my mind, this just complicates things for the user.

Sounds like woreless 18 gauge is right.  I'll just mark one side of the plug when I phase them.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Ed

I don't think Dewey said use a 3 prong cord, he said he uses a 3 to 2 prong adapter to reverse polarity.  Some older adapters can take a polarized blade in either slot, while most home outlets can't.

 

In the day of the ZW there was no grounded receptacle.

 

The parts guys sell the non polarized plug and as John said filing or clipping off the polarized plug is pretty easy.  What I inspect for use is the style of the plug.  Some have very cheap blades, others use a solid and strong blade and plug.

 

Also remember most parts dealers have two styles of cord.  One is the cheaper version the other is a better quality. 

 

The ZW is not electrically connected to the core, if it was then it absolutly would matter where the hot was connected.    There can be stray voltage induced on the frame though.   G

I said polarized or three prong plugs.  Why have either on this transformer?  No need for the adapter.

There is a world of difference between working on a Lionel train, and working on a Lionel transformer.
An individual might damage a train item, but the chances of doing something that would cause physical injury to someone trying to use it are fairly slim.

On the other hand, because there is house (line) voltage involved when working on a transformer, the possibilites of setting the stage for physical injury, or property damage is real.

IMHO, folks need to be careful when working on a transformer, and when giving advice to others on making transformer repairs.

Hmm...  What part of my advice are you taking exception to?

quote:

Hmm...  What part of my advice are you taking exception to?

 

None. I thnk you and I are on the same page on this thread. In general, I think the tips you post are solid.

My comment was a general one.

As I wrote earlier, there has been bad advice on wiring transformers posted in the past.

 

Well, on that point we can certainly agree.  Occasionally, I've even guilty of tossing out bad or incorrect advice, I blame it on a senior moment.

It's getting confusing in here!

I was thinking the same thing!

To sum it all up......

 

If your cord needs to be replaced, use the replacement cord (Lionel part # B-292) with unpolarized plug.

 

If you have to phase different transformers, mark the plugs as C.W. posted above!

 

If you don't know what your doing...take it to someone who does.

 

 

quote:

Folks need to read the comments a little closer:-)

 

Folks need to write with clarity, especially when dealing with transformer service.

 

 

 

Some of us old farts with increasingly lame brains lack your brillance and perfection CW. Just trying to help--the posters question sat for quite awhile without any answers at all. 

 

I have always bought  my replacement cords from a top notch repairman down in Burlington and up in Pennsylvania.

But if one cannot afford a classic cord or in an emergency, an adapter, as MIke CT and others have suggested works, and  safely, or as Gunrunner says file the dang wide blade down.

 

Anyway, the idea is to not have an old, brittle cord.

I use the male end of a 2 dollar extension cord.  2 prongs. Don't go messin' around with grounds.

 

A ZW draws 275 watts / 117 volts = 2.35 amps, at full load.

 

Just as a guide, and I am definitely NOT recommending that you use such small wires, here is what different gauges of copper wire, in free air, will handle:

 

24 gauge = 3.5 amps

 

22 gauge = 7.0 amps

 

20 gauge = 11.0 amps

 

18 gauge = 16.0 amps

 

16 gauge = 22.0 amps.

 

So you can see that a cord with 18 gauge conductors is adequate,

quote:

Some of us old farts with increasingly lame brains lack your brillance and perfection CW. 

 

Too bad you took such offense. I put my comments as gentle as I could. I stated more than once that there was some history of bad advise being given that I did (and do) not want to repeat.

Those amperages are for conductors in free air which means one conductor not a 2 wire or 3 wire cable.

 

Ken

Still, 18ga carrying 16A in free air, it should be able to handle around 3-4A in a two wire cable I'd imagine.  I have 18ga wire on several transformers, including the ZW.  I've run the ZW with a full resistive load (220-230 watts is all it really delivers), and the only thing that gets warm is the transformer and the load.  The cord runs room temperature, it's not taxed at all.