ZW L vs ZW C ?

Nick-

 

When it comes to power, it depends on preference. The ZW-C and ZW-L units are essentially 4 180 watt transformers plugged into one controller, and since you already have 3 PW ZWs now, you could be paying a premium to gain only another 125-150 watts of usable power (the power packs are rated for 180w each, but in real life you probably can squeeze 75-80% of the rated load out of it).

 

I would recommend looking at what is plugged into your existing ZWs first to see if something can be unloaded onto dedicated smaller transformers, such as fixed voltage for track switches or accessory lights.

 

The fixes/upgrades to the ZW-C and L transformers are nice, but they benefit Legacy/TMCC users and users with modern equipment the most. If you run older trains (pre-TMCC or Postwar), the more traditional transformers might be the way to go.

 

-John

 

 

I have the ZW-C with 4 bricks and it's been a solid performer.

However, it did require the Legacy chip upgrade. 

If I were purchasing today, I'd go with the L. Having a single unit with only one AC plug to deal with is really nice.

Also, the handles on the L are much more robust (only applies if you're using it in conventional manner).

The meters are a nice touch as well.

 

If the ZW-L was out at the time we powered the layout up, maybe we would of went that way. If you add up the cost of the ZW-C, plus the 2 additional 180 watt bricks, and then the panel meters we added (although not needed) we spent about the same amount of money as a new ZW-L.  

 

We don't/haven't had any issues with the setup, and we use an MTH Z-4000 as well, because the 3 loops are blocked for 6 power districts. We have a couple PW-ZWs that we will use for access power when we get that far. Running modern engines, we just wanted modern power.

 

I think if I was starting right now, I'd just get the ZW-L, because it's an all in one unit. Plenty of power, and even more versatility than the ZW-C. You can pick one up for $649-$700 if you shop around.  

The other issue to consider is that the ZW-L & the bricks used by the ZW-C have fast acting breakers. Track power cuts quickly preventing damage. Unless you are using magnetic breakers, they won't be as fast as the bricks or ZW-L.

Believe the new Legacy ZW-L is rated at a lower 620 watts of power (155 per handle) not 720 watts like the older ZW-C's 180 watts per channel.

Nick

Just for information for what ever you decide, you might want to look at the ZW-C I put on the For Sale forum on October 25, 2013.

Larry

The older PW transformers were rated on input power, and your above statement is correct for them.  The newer transformers are rated on output power and you can get close to the full rated power from them.  As a test, I ran one of my bricks at a 10 amp current draw for half an hour to see how it would do.  That load does drop the power down to about 16.5 volts, but I measured a full 10 amps (adjusted the load to get there).  That gives me 165 watts of output power, more like 90% of the rated output.  In contrast, with the old 275W PW-ZW, you'll be lucky to get 220-230 watts out of it.

My advice depends on if you're running command or not. If you're conventional then a ZW-C or ZW-L would both work out nice. A ZW-C with 4x 180w bricks would give you a little more power overall. If you are running in command then I would probably just use the powerhouse bricks and no zw controller at all. 

 

However the 180 watt bricks seem to be out of the channel, at least I can't find any without it being part of the new 180 watt kit

We looked into using the 4 bricks without the ZW-C controller, but decided that we would want to run conventional sometimes, post war and MPC era engines. To do that, we would of needed a TPC for every brick, or the ZW controller. Obviously it was cheaper to go with the ZW-C than buy 4 TPC 300's.

 

If you don't plan on running conventional, ever, then just use the bricks alone.

One thing I did notice as the PW ZW transformers begin to heat up the power output efficiency begins to drop. I am lucky to get 8.5 amps from them when they are cool. Where as the ZWL and ZWC will provide 10 amps for the length of a session when the Detroit 3 railers come over.

Also the ZWL has a built in "TPC" for running conventional trains with metered amps and voltage draw. Bang for the buck I will have to sell my 4 ZW's and buy the ZWL.

 

Plus its Manly size will make you feel indestructible ...

 

 

 

I run the bricks through the MTH TIU, gives me conventional operation on two of the outputs, more than enough for me.

 

I can't thank you guys enough for the great responses.I do run my trains in a legacy control environment.It would be nice to run some of my conventional locomotives.You have given me much to think over.Thank you again.Nick

 

I would get the zw-l. It provides 200 speed steps. It also improves performance of conventional locs. It has alot of improvements over the zw-c. I really like the analog gauges for volts ans amps as well. Lionel is offering 20% off on thier web site plus free 2day shipping. You get get the zw-l for 680 shipped. Just use discount code -santa. The sale is good until the 19th.

If you're running DCS also, you can run the ZW-L through the TIU as well. That gives you all the options like we have. Conventional, Legacy/TMCC, and DCS, and you can run conventional with the Cab2 or the DCS remote. Just use a wall wart to power the TIU. 

 

You will not be disappointed with the ZW-L.  I purchased one a couple months ago and really like it.  The size, the handles, the displays are all great, but some of the best enhancements are only 1 power cord.  Easy access to switches for programming.  And my favorite feature which I did not know about from reading the manual, if your using your ZW-L in command mode and the ZW loses command signal, it shuts down power.  This is a handy safety that I never thought I would need.  Apparently in moving from one place to another the wire I use for my Base to Transformer connection went bad and the new safety feature sure save my engines from going to the races!

I've seen them for $600 at some dealers at York. Not a bad price overall.