tmcc direct lockon

If you search TMCC Direct lockon on the Lionel website you can pop up the manuals for them with details.

They are designed to work with the Lionel 135 or 180 Watt power supplies.

I have 3 of the direct lockons, hooked up to 2 - 180 and 135 watt bricks they work great for cutting power right away in a short / derail, the power supplies never trip their breakers. So far we have not blown any boards, the breakers work really well on the lockons.

I would think they should work for a ZW. It is mainly about absorbing power spikes.

There is an old QSI power guard that used to be available many years back for spike protection.

From what I read it should work in its place. But when I asked an area dealer he said no and then went on to try and talk me into ZW-L. I figured it would save from buying or running out of fuses.

I have several I no loner use because they interfere with my DCS signal.  If interested, please email me (see my profile).  

The reason for that is you need the molex connector that the Powerhouse bricks use to connect to the Lock-On.

So, you could make your leads with the molex connector and pins.

 The top, Triangle is not used, the center is hot and the bottom is common.

or, for the cost of a lock-on, you can use the PSX-AC. It trips just as fast and has voltage surge suppression (TVS) to protect digital e-units and sound boards.. Just wire hook-ups.

The TMCC Lock On is only for Command. It does not pass power to the tracks until around 13 volts. It is a fast breaker but does not have spike protection.

The PSX-AX Carl mentions will work for conventional. It is also a fast breaker but passes the full range of voltage from the transformer. For spike protection only all you need is a TVS (Transient Voltage Suppressor) which sell for less than a dollar. Good for spike protection but no good for short circuits.

Pete