Reset modern ZW question?

Does this help...from the manual.

Electronic reversing units will not change direction properly unless the track voltage drops to

zero volts. If the ZW Controller’s track voltage does not drop to zero when the handle is at zero,

the ZW Controller must be re-calibrated. All four channels can be calibrated by moving each

handle to zero, and holding the program button in while the power is turned on. The red light will

flash five times to indicate calibration is complete. This must be done with the Command Base

disconnected. Calibration is done at the factory and should not be required with normal use.

Thank you for the reply I'll try to recalibrate today and see if that helps.

laz57

I recalibrated the ZW.  Here's where it get weird.  After doing the recalibrating, I have the bricks plugged into a seperate power strip that is working ZW for all my accessories.  I have another modern ZW with three bricks and the Legacy along with a SC2 plugged into a different power strip.  I turn on the power to the ZW with Legacy first, then the other power strip with the ZW for the accessories.  Bring up the power for the accessories and Channel A spikes right away.  All other Channels are working properly.  I shut off power to the Legacy and train ZW turn it back on and now all Channels on the Accessory ZW are working like they should, bring up power slowly with the handles.  The SC2 is in with the Legacy and has no wire from it to the ZW for accessories but still can use Legacy to operate accessories.  Why do I have to shut down the one power strip and turn it back on to work properly?  Any opions here on this or is it VOODOO?

Legacy has to be powered up first before any thing that will be using it. Plug Legacy into the first strip and then plug the second strip into the first strip and turn it on last with the bricks etc. plugged into it.

Hi CHUCK,

  That is exactly what I did but still get the spike.  But when I turn the Legacy strip off momentarily and turn it back on all works like it should, while the other strip is on.  What can you make of this?

laz57

Not sure. I thought it was going to turn out that the Legacy base and the ZW were competing for being turned on first...but it doesn't sound like that's the issue if the Legacy base is turned on first and followed a few seconds later by turning on the ZW. If I think of anything...

Hi laz,

If I recall, you need to unplug the power to the Legacy base, power on and throttle up and down the non-legacy ZW. Then repower the Legacy base. That sets the ZW to conventional and it won't accept the Legacy signal. Now you should be able to control the voltage with the handle(s).

Hi MOONMAN,

  That is correct but why do I constantly have to do this?  The Legacy isn't hooked up to this ZW.  This ZW is only used for accessories.  The Legacy is hooked up to another ZW for running the trains.  There is no link between the ZWs.  I have a sc2 hooked up but no common wire to the accessory ZW but it still works.  I can't figure this out, why do I get the spike when I put on the Legacy ZW then begin to power up the accessory ZW.  But when I turn off the Legacy ZW momentarily then put it back on that the accessory ZW works like it is suppose to?

laz57

Indeed, a perplexing issue.

How did you address the offending ZW from the Cab2? Was it formally TR1 and now the other is using TR1?

Perhaps that remained in the board? Just a thought.

Also, I would assume that the ACC ZW would need a common or Legacy may see it as another brick.

Access the offender with the Cab2 and set it to something different like TR8. Then remove the power from the Legacy and off-on the TR8 ZW. Then Legacy on. Then TR1 ZW on. OK?

Then try a common.

Any Luck?

Yes I see where you are coming from by addressing the ZW with another TR number.  I'll try that.  This morning I got another power strip seperated it from the Legacy and Train ZW used another outlet plugged it in powered it up moved the handles all worked like it should in manual opperating with the handles.  I shut it off.  I then turned on the Legacy and Trian ZW then the other accessory ZW and tried to power up the handle and again it spiked by just ever so lightly moving the handle.  It works perfectly if the Accessory ZW is powered first then the Legacy ZW is fired up second.  But if the Legacy ZW is put on first no go.  I'll try and give the ZW a new TR number and then see.

Thanks for the input.

laz57

Here's another thought... If you like to power up every at once(all on same switch), could you set one of the B, C, or D handles to the desired voltage to power your accessories.

I am thinking that every time that there is power to the command module, the ZW will respond if the command signal is first(or simultaneous).

What's the status?