I have a lionel ZW 275 transformer, but I notice it only has one bell/whistle button while the smaller 80 watt transformers have both a horn and bell button. My railking engines require both (horn and bell). Is there a second button I have to buy or add on? I'm trying to set this up for the holidays.
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Let's go further down the rabbit hole that is powering trains for the holidays- because safety is paramount.
Older Lionel transformers like the ZW have internal high current thermal based circuit breakers, that are there primarily to protect the transformer from an extended short. That same breaker is waaaaaaaaaay too high of current and waaaaay too long to react to protect the delicate wiring and often electronics in the models trains- but even worse, the wiring to the track in the situation of the holiday display.
Yes, there are both commercial and DIY bell and or whistle add on buttons that go between the transformer and the track.
This means that ideally, you need to place an external faster acting circuit breaker or fuse, just after the outputs of the transformer, and then consider adding a suitably sized (current rating in Amps) capable bell button. In addition, adding TVS- Transient Voltage Supression- a small device that shorts out excessive voltage created by the typical operation of trains on a layout to protect your expensive electronics.
All I have to do is link this post about the burned up wiring and PCB in a modern typical Lionchief passenger car to really drive the point home about why adding and using good fast acting properly sized breakers are important- especially given the holidays.
https://ogrforum.com/topic/158674373723181699
Sorry for worrying you but my honest recommendation for a holiday display is typically an MTH Z1000 or even the smaller Z500 with Zcontroller that gives you bell and whistle compatible with MTH engines, a lower power rating and much better stock circuit breaker.
It's not that you cannot go oldschool and use the traditional ZW, but I find for the limited power required, the additional safety measure that absolutely at a bare minimum should be added, it might not be my first choice for powering the display.
I'm not trying to knock this. Some of my fondest memories as a child was getting invited to see Vernon Smedley Sr of Smedley Chevrolet in Vandalia and his train layout in his home that he often put on a huge outdoor Christmas display. My grandfather worked for the dealership and I visited his house as a child in the 80s maybe early 90s and that is partially what inspired me to get back into trains a few years ago was that memory of his collection and layout. The massive ZW transformers he used and the sea of lights- both from all the buildings but also all the switch controllers and switches. As a child and even now as an adult, that warm glow of that many incandescent lights was impressive.
That said, now as an adult and seeing the risks and knowing what can go wrong from the train repair side of the business and how expensive that can get for even one accident from a derailment, safety is king.
Nothing wrong with a Zw but as Vernon states proper circuit breakers and TVS diodes are a must. Unless you like magic smoke and the possibility of a fire!
Thank you for your replies, my ZW was updated by Hennings Trains with new circuit breakers. Soif I need to add the bell button , how do i do that?
@Hardy posted:Thank you for your replies, my ZW was updated by Hennings Trains with new circuit breakers.
On the topic of breakers- one of your past posts
@Hardy posted:Hi - I was hoping you can help me out. I have an updated my ZW,but I'm having an issue. I hooked it up to Fastrack with 20 Gauge wire, but twice it burned through the wire (I used new wire each time and a new track). Yet, on the other post, for my second track it works fine. Any thoughts? Suggestions? Thank you.
I'm not confident, after reading the final conclusion of that topic, you actually learned that the internal breaker is not likely to protect your external wiring and or trains.
As far as the Bell button:
"how-to-add-bell-function-to-pw-zw-transformer"
Thank you Vernon so I guess my next question is what do those new circuit breakers protect?
@Hardy posted:Thank you Vernon so I guess my next question is what do those new circuit breakers protect?
If it's internal to the postwar 275 watt ZW- they prevent a severe prolonged short from overloading the core of the transformer and posting a fire risk at the transformer. Edit- it's not unheard of that when servicing a postwar ZW transformer, the internal original breaker has failed and often is replaced with a modern component- but of basically similar current value and often a thermal type. So you can have an "upgraded" transformer that is still basically at the same specifications it left the factory with- a breaker with such a high rating, and such high trip current it's not effective for smaller gauge wiring often found in more modern trains and equipment.
You mentioned circuit breakers- plural- so if they are external (A ZW only has one common internal breaker factory) what are they?-pictures or make and model information? More importantly, current rating and type.
Hardy, here is the information for your bell button from my website. Replace the Lionel #6-5906 Sound Activation Button (I copied Lionel's circuit.) I would be happy to snail mail you a couple of 2 or 3 amp polyswitches to protect your modern trains.
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