ZW question

I leave my ZW on for 15-16 hours a day every day, during my holiday break ( all of December) and I run a train 15-16 hours a day on it.....but, I know my ZW inside and out, and it’s all rebuilt, with modern circuit breakers, and the what not,.....me, myself, I wouldn’t recommend leaving any 1940’s-1960’s device plugged in without first, knowing it’s completely serviced, known good, and tested. I do the same thing you’d like to do, I have mine set up on a remote with the tree, one push of a button, and we’re off.....there’s just something about that green glow from the jewel cap....the red one, not so much....don’t like seeing that one on...😉

Pat

A simple solution to this is use a plug strip with a switch on it. If you don't have a spare they can be had pretty cheap. You don't need any fancy surge suppressors. Put it next to the transformer and just hit the switch when done.

Pete

@Norton posted:

A simple solution to this is use a plug strip with a switch on it. If you don't have a spare they can be had pretty cheap. You don't need any fancy surge suppressors. Put it next to the transformer and just hit the switch when done.

Pete

Either way his ZW will be on when the tree is on which is his main concern.  Having the ZW sitting there idling for long periods of time.

Along with the glow of the green power light, the low hum is also soothing.

@MartyE posted:

Either way his ZW will be on when the tree is on which is his main concern.  Having the ZW sitting there idling for long periods of time.

Along with the glow of the green power light, the low hum is also soothing.

Not so. Unplug the ZW. Plug the plug strip into the same socket the ZW was plugged into. Leave the tree light plug alone. Put the strip next to the transformer. Turn the transformer on only when you want to run trains.

Its a simple way to add a switch to a ZW without altering it.

https://www.harborfreight.com/...wer-strip-62495.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/...wer-strip-64144.html

Don't forget your 20% off coupon.

Pete

I've left a Z on for extended periods of time. I do however, have the outputs on an inline fuse. Here's one.
https://www.amazon.com/NTE-Ele...06137484&sr=8-10

If you use all 4 outputs, you could always use one of these instead.
https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-...06138155&sr=8-10

Or get a bud box, or make a box, and mount these in it.
https://www.amazon.com/Uxcell-...06138299&sr=8-26

You could also use one of these.  You can set multiple on off times and it has a switch where you can turn the timer output off.

Rated for 15 amps
https://www.amazon.com/Century...06138438&sr=8-16

From his original post, my assumption was he wanted to leave it on with the tree lights.

Wireless remote outlets are pretty inexpensive.  I'd consider one for the main tree, then a second for the ZW plugged into that power strip (or directly to the wall for the ZW, f you've got two outlets unused in that area).

I was initially thinking the indoor/outdoor ones people use for exterior Christmas lights.  (they often have a "pigtail" cord, so would only take up one spot in the power strip for the ZW, sort of like this one)  I recall these used to come in two packs years ago, but I didn't se any in my cursory search at Lowes and Home Depot.

Then I saw there are some multiple control remotes (so one remote, but multiple outlets controlled).  This one is indoor only (fine for your use), so you could use one to control the main power strip at the wall, and then a second to turn the ZW on and off.  I would think you could either plug the ZW one directly to the wall, or into the tree power strip if you have enough open positions (it looks like it would block an adjacent outlet on the strip)

-Dave

Use a Clapper!   LOL