Question About ZW Transformer

The first thing I noticed here may just be a typo or such.  You said you are using a DPST switch (double pole, single throw).  I think what you would want to be using is a SPDT switch (Single pole, Double throw).  This way you can wire it such that either the A handle/post, or the D handle/post can be connected to the track, but not both.   I know it isn't really the question, but I thought it worth mentioning.  You could also use a DPDT switch and use the extra pole to power indicator lights to show which handle is currently supplying power to the track.  

On to the actual question;  Have you tried removing the wire to the C post for the switches to see what you get?  I'm unsure of how the connections are made inside the O22's but it seems plausible that some voltage is leaking back to the track through the switches.  Also, just as a curiosity, does the track read this voltage when an engine is on it, or only with empty track?  Even at only 9VAC a lionchief engine should fire up.  It may be that there is a high resistance path somewhere (through the switches would be my guess) that allows a meter reading of 9VAC with no load, but drops to nothing when a load is applied.  

As for the ZW its self, you can can disconnect all the wires from the posts and measure each output when set to 0 (and with other handles set to various levels) to make sure it is not leaking voltage between handles.  

The goal here being to isolate the source of the problem.  Is it the transformer?  The switches?  Or some odd wiring issue?

JGL

It's a very high resistance leak... probably carbon tracking. The slightest load on the track, an illuminated caboose w/ one bulb, should show zero volts.

Thanks John, it was a typo.  I meant to say SPDT, but I typed the post very late last night, as I couldn't sleep.  I turned down the C post handle and get a zero reading on the meter.  The track reads the voltage with or without a loco on it.  So I guess the fact that the LC+ loco shows no signs of life would mean it's an electrical issue beyond my simple understanding.  

I checked the transformer, as you mentioned, before I hooked any wires to it.  Zero reading when all handles are down, 20 volts from each post when all handles are up.  

I do have TVS devices mounted across each post, i'e., A-U, B-U, C-U and D-U.  Would they have something to do with the issue ?   I also have circuit breakers mounted in the lead to each post.  As a matter of fact, they work very well.  My granddaughter accidentally placed a screwdriver on the track as it was poured up and the breaker tripped in a New York second.  

I wonder if Rob is onto something about carbon contamination in the switches.  I could remove them and give the innards a thorough cleaning.  

Many meters are very high impedance inputs, they'll show AC voltage in open air at times.  In order to get an accurate reading for track voltages, you need some kind of load on the meter.

Thanks John, I'll do that later today.  In the interim, here is my wiring diagram.

One "trick" when measuring stuff like this with an AC meter is to put a 1k resistor across the meter leads.  This will kill any stray AC leakage and when you measure, you'll get accurate readings.

Thanks John.  You're a wealth of knowledge and a gentleman about giving it out.

Thanks.

Before you spend the labor and time to remove all the switches, why not disconnect their fixed voltage plugs, one at a time, until you see the voltmeter reading go to zero?