Reagn's video, REF: chopped sine wave Tranfs and Lionel smoke

The Z-750 using the supplied controller is a chopped wave controller and produces a waveform pretty much the same as the CW-80.

I do not think the chopped sine wave will help very much,if at all. I think this was a bit over hyped and the video misleading at best. The video compared a PW transformer that only put out only 16 volts maximum and compared it with one that put out 18 volts as I remember. I also remember reading,correct me if I am wrong,that at lower voltages the wave was not even chopped a whole lot on the modern Lionel transformer. Not much benefit for conventional operators.  The diode solution will show a noticeable improvement. The Chopped wave maybe a bit of improvement. But you can try it and see.

The diode solution is linked here for those not familiar with it

http://www.jcstudiosinc.com/Bl...=488&categoryId=

Dale H

I appreciate these answers:  Leads up to this, IF, I trade off, this is what is currently

on the MTH 750, ( and it is maxed out , control knob to right)

  1) MTH,  Sd-70 ACE, with smoke unit on

  2) MTh, ABA  30-4144, along with the passenger cars, and a vista dome car

          ( bright very bright lights), OH! smoke unit on !

   3)  4 scale cylindrical hoppers, more weight

A lot going on ,   so will the PW ZW-275, give an improved power supply to this

consist thus improving (possibly) the smoke output on the MTH units,  then  

my 10 minutes swapping out wiring of tranf.   to the 2 different tracks make sense , YES?

When you turn the electronic controller on the transformers up to full voltage, you get a pretty intact sine wave, it's only when the transformer is at a lower setting that you get the sawtooth waveform.  If you're not getting good smoke with the transformer cranked up all the way, you either have insufficient power or you need to work on the locomotive.

Truthfully, I'd probably consider a modern transformer in your case.  One that is a good choice for conventional running is the MRC Pure Power 275, it's the main conventional transformer I keep around for testing.

If your engines have Protosound 2 electronics, the voltage to the smoke units is regulated to generate the same smoke level irrespective of track voltage - since you're max'd out on the Z-750, you should have enough track voltage.  In conventional (as opposed to command) operation, the diesel smoke level is a function of the adjustment control/knob and the speed of the engine.  The maximum smoke level is generated when the engine hits about 20 feet per 10 seconds... though as the engine goes faster it can be hard to see the increased smoke level as it is dissipating faster with the motion.

Did you get more smoke before and now it has decreased?  Perhaps there's a maintenance issue with a burned wick, loose gasket/seal, slipping fan blade, whatever.