ZW-L question

You are not addressing the track or engine specifically, but rather it's the four throttle levers on the Zw-L that you're programming as a track number or as an engine number. The difference in programming options allows more functionality as an engine over the throttle features. Please go to the lionel.com website and search for the ZW-L instructional video presented by Mike Reagan. The video will answer all your questions and get you up to speed.

http://www.lionel.com/Customer....cfm?documentID=6419

I switched from track addressing to engine addressing so I could use the WiFi and IPad app to control my conventional engines on my layout.

Captaincog,  Are you using ZW L ?  

Thanks everyone for your replies.

 

I did watch the Lionel video on the subject.  The video does a great job in explaining how to address the track or the engine through the ZW-L, but it does not explain the concept behind this.

 

I still don't get it, but I have faith I will.   

The overall concept as I see it aside from the enhanced circuit protection for both the command control engine electronics and the transformer itself is the ability to control track power remotely and also to run conventional engines remotely without the need for additional track power controller components (TPC 300 or 400), as this functionality has been built into the ZW-L. Simply stated, remote four throttle power management, increased power wattage and enhanced overall engine and transformer circuitry protection are what the ZW-L has to offer. I hope this explanation helps to address your concept issue.

The ZW-L has the ability to run 4 conventional trains from the transformer levers or from the Cab2 remote which includes blowing the whistles or ringing the bells on them. This gives you a variety of possibilities for running your layout. You can run command equipped and convention trains from the remote and control them from the remote by just entering their engine number. You can stop, start, uncouple, etc. and then move to another and do something different and so on. As a result with a little expertise you could operate a layout with 2, 3, 4 or even 8 or 10 trains all from the remote. Another big plus to the cab2 with the ZW-L is the Halt button which when pressed will kill the power to all 4 ZW-L output at once. This could save a coupe of trains from damage if pressed in time to save a collision. The Cab2 is basically a portable control panel with the ability to control switches, accessories and trains all from one portable remote.

Ron

What Ron said. I run a ZW-L on my 8x12 setup with three power loops, and couldn't be more pleased. I can (and do) run conventional and Legacy together (not on the same power loop of course) all from my Cab2, and if things get out of hand it all stops with the Halt button. Lets me see the power draw on each loop, etc.

 

I've got Tracks 1-4 on the Cab2 on the ZW-L (pretty much out of the box when you program the ZW-L to Track 1) and it's been solid ever since. I set the handles manually to a max of 15 volts (my choices) so you can spin the dial on the Cab2 and it'll never exceed that. I just power it all up and go.

 

 

Can't recommend this enough, although it seems pricey at first.

Great replies everyone.  I am pretty sure I now understand it.  I did order one last week, and it should be here next week sometime.