What is the best way to check for track voltage? RailKing Track Voltage Boxcar • MTH DCS Wi-Fi or a Multi Meter.

This is what I use.

Multimeter

My opinion is multi-meter.    

I have this one, it has a meter on each side.  It's using the very difficult to find digital AC panel meters. with a 0-20V range.

I'm with Craig most of the time, I use my true-RMS Fluke meter.

trainroomgary posted:

What is the best way to check for track voltage?

RailKing Track Voltage Boxcar • MTH DCS Wi-Fi or a Multi Meter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSN38DKdcDA

In this short YT video I go over three popular methods. Check it out……….

Do you check your track voltage and if so what process do you use?

Gary

I prefer digital multi-meters, such as the ones I get from Harbor Freight Tools.  They're absolutely the FINEST multi-meters that you can get for a "free with any purchase" coupon straight out of their bi-weekly sales ads! 

(Well, they USED to be free with any purchase, due to inflation and all that jazz, they're probably up to a buck ninety-nine now on sale with the coupon).  

Gary,  At 2:55 of your video, isn't that a ZW-C?  I thought the modern ZW that you plug bricks into was the ZW-C.

I prefer a good quality multimeter to accurately measure AC or DC track voltage. If you would like to have a constant voltage check at various points in your layout, Baylite makes a really neat small self powered DC digital voltmeter. You would have to use a rectifier to convert AC to DC and then calibrate the digital voltage reading against an AC multimeter readout.

Given the response curve, it's pretty difficult to do a simple calibration for rectified AC, even with a sine wave.  It's doubly hard when it's not a sinusoidal waveform like most modern electronic transformer controls output.

MikeH posted:

Gary,  At 2:55 of your video, isn't that a ZW-C?  I thought the modern ZW that you plug bricks into was the ZW-C.

Hi Mike: It is a ZW-C is correct, with 4 Lionel Bricks at 180 watts each. I have one brick for each of 4 main lines. Yes: the bricks plug into the back of the ZW-C.  

Hope this helps: Gary

trainroomgary posted:

MikeH posted:

Gary,  At 2:55 of your video, isn't that a ZW-C?  I thought the modern ZW that you plug bricks into was the ZW-C.

Hi Mike: It is a ZW-C is correct, with 4 Lionel Bricks at 180 watts each. I have one brick for each of 4 main lines. Yes: the bricks plug into the back of the ZW-C.  

Hope this helps: Gary

Hi Gary,

On the video you called it a ZW-L.

DennyM posted:

trainroomgary posted:

MikeH posted:

Gary,  At 2:55 of your video, isn't that a ZW-C?  I thought the modern ZW that you plug bricks into was the ZW-C.

Hi Mike: It is a ZW-C is correct, with 4 Lionel Bricks at 180 watts each. I have one brick for each of 4 main lines. Yes: the bricks plug into the back of the ZW-C.  

Hope this helps: Gary

Hi Gary,

On the video you called it a ZW-L.

Hi Denny:

Yes, there is an error in the video. I said: "ZW-L" I should have said "ZW-C"

Do you know, what does the "C" stand for? and did Lionel ever manufacture a "ZW-L" 

Thanks: Gary

trainroomgary posted:

DennyM posted:

trainroomgary posted:

MikeH posted:

Gary,  At 2:55 of your video, isn't that a ZW-C?  I thought the modern ZW that you plug bricks into was the ZW-C.

Hi Mike: It is a ZW-C is correct, with 4 Lionel Bricks at 180 watts each. I have one brick for each of 4 main lines. Yes: the bricks plug into the back of the ZW-C.  

Hope this helps: Gary

Hi Gary,

On the video you called it a ZW-L.

Hi Denny:

Yes, there is an error in the video. I said: "ZW-L" I should have said "ZW-C"

Do you know, what does the "C" stand for? and did Lionel ever manufacture a "ZW-L" 

Thanks: Gary

I did at one time, but I can't remember.

The ZW-C came out quite a number of years ago!!!   The Newest Transformer Lionel has Manufactored is a  ZW-L

”L”  is for “Lionel”,  maybe for “Legacy” !!! Who knows??

Maybe Lionel???

Fredstrains

Gary,

Good idea for a video.

Here is mine.  I chose NASA for obvious reasons.  I think the car is really attractive.  The meter is very accurate.

Jerry

MikeH posted:

Gary,  At 2:55 of your video, isn't that a ZW-C?  I thought the modern ZW that you plug bricks into was the ZW-C.

It is the ZW-C. The ZW-L is the one with the meters on top and lionel light on the front. 

Fredstrains posted:

The ZW-C came out quite a number of years ago!!!   The Newest Transformer Lionel has Manufactored is a  ZW-L

”L”  is for “Lionel”,  maybe for “Legacy” !!! Who knows??

Maybe Lionel???

Fredstrains

L is for Legacy. The C (ZW-C) is command. 

I just set an engine or searchlight car on the track.  I use a voltmeter if i need to see the voltage number.