ZW-C cuts track power in command

Bill, this may seem like an obvious question but did anything change in the immediate environment? Things like merely changing old light bulbs to CFL's, a new Wi-Fi, utility crews working down the street, a new computer and little things like that.

Edit: Do you have aluminum wiring feeding your receptacles? This wiring was used briefly in houses built in the early 70's.

Hum sounds like maybe a chip in the ZW's may need to be changed. Marty had a post about it with the info a while back. It sometimes happens with  legacy and ZW-C.

I don't know if this is the issue, but there was an update to some of the ZW-C models, for Legacy compatibility.  I forget all the details, but I ordered and installed the chip in my unit.

Edit, I see that GWeedo was typing while I was looking for the information that I didn't find.

No, nothing new on my end or in the area that I know of. 

Thanks! 

Gweedo and John,

Would this happen just out of the blue? I have had Legacy and have been using the ZW-C like this since Legacy came out, I also switched to a different ZW-C. The Legacy base I have came with the Big Boy years ago.  

No, on the aluminum wiring.  

Was this it?

http://www.martye.com/TipsandTricks/PWCZWLegacy.htm.

It really sounds like the Halt command that Marty says on his site. I failed to mention, I can dial the power right back up after it cuts out. If this is it, I just wonder why it would show up out of the blue and on 2 ZW-Cs .

If this is needed, does Lionel supply these at no charge?

Chip change

Did you upgrade the Legacy base?  Maybe a software change caused it, does seem weird that it worked fine then shows up.  G

No updates. Version 1.3 was installed way back when Lionel sent update modules. 

That's the replacement I was talking about.  I installed the chip in a couple of minutes, if you're careful you can just slip it in without taking anything apart, other than the top cover.

I think if I remember right my Legacy was working for a while  before the chip bug thing showed up. I seem to remember man this was a while ago it was Norm who first discovered this bug. I think it was on his Postwar Celebration ZW which is the one I have also. I think they were the same as the ZW-C other than they came with 135 bricks instead of 180's. Then there was some talk as to if the bug was only in the Postwar Celebration ZW's. I think it ended up showing up in both ZW-C and Postwar Celebration. Lionel had the chips don't know if they still do.

John & Gweedo,

Thanks for the info. I remembered I used the Halt feature a few weeks ago, maybe it triggered what ever is the issue. Still funny that it would be with two different ZW-Cs.

I will contact Lionel, hopefully will still be available. That is my main transformer and I always use it in command.

I had the same issue. PWC-ZW along with a Legacy base, (can't recall which software version.)

Initially, it worked great, then started to get random shutdowns of the whole system. It was the ZW's chip. Got a replacement from Lionel and haven't had a problem in 2 years.

Just a quick update.. Exchanged a couple of emails with Lionel, they had me do a couple of things to rule out a motherboard. Today, received an email saying I have 2 new chips on the way. Thanks again for the help and information! Will update after chips are installed

The chip fixed mine, so I have high hopes for you.

Received one of my chips today, fixed! Track power was on for 2 1/2 hours this evening and never turned off. Thanks to all that helped, it is very much appreciated!

Glad to hear it fixed the problem. Just love a happy ending.

Good job, glad to hear it.