I have 2 Lionel ZW transformers that I'm thinking of selling. I have been using them for about 10 years and they perform flawlessly. Since I'm thinking of selling them I want to be sure the whistle lever works - the problem is I don't have a conventional engine and tender that has a horn or whistle to test them.
Is there a way of checking the whistle lever's operation without a conventional tender & engine???
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I think even command control engines can operate in conventional mode, assuming that is what you have.
If not, and assuming they are postwar, the voltage will go up when you push the whistle lever. This will cause light bulbs to get brighter.
If those post-war ZW's are in good condition, I'm sure that the whistle handles work. I have had many ZW's over the past 35 years, and I don't think I have ever had one that the whistle doesn't work.
The old type selenium rectifiers in PW transformers go bad with age. Probably none of them work without some leakage or inefficiency.
Without a conventional loco,you should be able to test it with a good volt meter set on DC. Set the transformer a 12 volts, and measure across AU, it should read close to zero,then blow the whistle with the handle or button,you should get around 2.5 volts DC (RMS) or more on the meter. (The booster winding is 5 volts but it is half wave rectification) If you have a peak setting,it should read a bit over 7. Do the same for DU on a PWZW.
Dale H
Paul,
Michael is correct, TMCC, PS 1 and PS 2 engines will respond to the whistle control on a PW ZW when ran in the conventional mode. I think if your polarity to the track is crossed the bell may sound instead of the whistle.
Hope this helps,
Richard
Thanx, guys - I'm new to DCS - how do I get my engines to run in conventional mode. I know there is a "conventional mode" listing in the menu but I don't want to experiment with it until I have some direction.
Thanx -
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
